Nun Thanks God, Recites Lord's Prayer After Winning Italy's 'The Voice'
The Catholic nun who wowed audiences with her singing ability on the Italian version of "The Voice," recently won the entire singing competition, immediately offering up praise to God and reciting the Lord's Prayer during her acceptance speech.
Sister Cristina Scuccia was announced the winner of Italy's "The Voice" televised singing competition on Thursday night. Along with winning the competition by 62.3 percent of the vote, Scuccia received a recording contract with Universal Music.
The sister, clad in a habit and crucifix, was quick to thank God for her singing success. "My presence here is not up to me, it's thanks to the man upstairs," she said as she received the award for winning the singing competition. "I'm not here to start a career, but because I want to impart a message."
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The 25-year-old sister then went on to recite the Lord's Prayer to the audience, saying that she was living out Pope Francis' recent advice that Catholic clergy members be more outgoing in their life endeavors.
Scuccia, who is soon to be a member of the Ursuline Sisters of the Holy Family, first became a viral internet sensation back in March, when she performed a rendition of Alicia Keys's "No One." The video has gained 50 million likes on YouTube since it was posted. Scuccia then went on to dominate several of the 13 weeks of the show under the guidance of her voice coach, Italian rapper J-Ax, who described their partnering as "the devil and holy water."
The three-and-a-half hour broadcast of Thursday night's final show revealed Scuccia beating out three other "Voice" finalists for the grand prize. The camera often showed Scuccia's fellow sisters cheering her on from the crowd, and the dynamic and energetic nun performed a high-energy rendition of Irene Cara's "What A Feeling" from the film "Flashdance."
Scuccia has repeatedly said on the show that her goal is to serve as a vessel for Jesus' message. The nun has previously said to the audience over her microphone "I want Jesus to come in here!" as she belts out classic pop songs coupled with wholesome dance renditions, including Cindy Lauper's "Girls Just Want To Have Fun " and "The Time of My Life" from the hit 1980's movie "Dirty Dancing."
The Sicily-born nun told reporters after winning the singing competition that she is unlikely to pursue a performance career, and looks forward to returning to her life of prayer and reverence. "I will go back to my priorities – prayer, waking up early in the morning, school service. That's fundamental for me to be able to begin something new later on."
