A nun is now Italy's most-famous pop star.
"What a feeling!"
Yes, a nun. Twenty-five-year-old Sister Cristina Scuccia won season two of the Italian version of 'The Voice' Thursday night. (Via Rai)
If you remember, Sister Cristina's audition for the show – her take on Alicia Keys' "No One" – went viral on YouTube back in March, generating more than 50 million views.
And praise from Keys' herself. (Via Twitter / @aliciakeys)
Cristina was able to keep that momentum going through all 13 weeks of the competition – clinching a reported 62.3 percent of the final vote.
She beat out Italian rocker Giacomo Voli for the title. (Via YouTube / Giacomo Voli)
Variety say it was Sister Cristina's high-energy performances of pop hits like "What A Feeling," "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and, yes, even Bon Jovi's "Living On A Prayer" that helped make her a front runner.
Cristina – always clad in her habit and crucifix – also got to perform with international stars like Ricky Martin and Kylie Minogue. (Via The Telegraph)
The big prize was a recording contract with Universal Music – but according to the BBC, that wasn't Sister Cristina's goal for being on the show.
"'My presence here is not up to me, it's thanks to the man upstairs!' she said after being declared the show's winner. 'I'm not here to start a career but because I want to impart a message.'"
The Washington Post notes Sister Cristina celebrated her victory by reciting the Lord's Prayer on stage – adding that she was following Pope Francis’ advice that the clergy become more outgoing.
So what's next for Italy's new star? She still has to take her final vows as a member of the Ursuline Sisters of the Holy Family.
