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Updated on: 06-Jun-2014

Sr. Cristina, Italy's singing nun, wins ‘The Voice of Italy’

A singing nun clinched the final of The Voice of Italy television talent show contest on Friday after winning millions of followers with her lively dance act and soulful renditions of lusty pop classics. Wearing her black habit and a crucifix around her neck, Sister Cristina punched the air and thanked God for her victory, reciting an "Our Father" prayer to the puzzlement of organisers and audience.

"I want Jesus to come in here!" said the 25-year-old who won against a 28-year-old hard rocker with long curly hair who had performed Stairway to Heaven. Sister Cristina, a reformed rebel who used to sing in a band and now lives with fellow nuns in Milan, has won a record contract with Universal but she hinted she might shun a full rock'n'roll career. "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," the Sicily native told reporters.

Sister Cristina said she was following Pope Francis's appeals to bring the Catholic Church closer to ordinary people and was not shy about her newfound success. "I have a gift to give, and I am giving it to you, what can I do about that? Jesus has called upon me. It wouldn't be worth much if I kept it for myself," she said. She shot to television fame in recent months in the predominantly Catholic country with her versions of songs like ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’ and ‘Time of My Life’ from the film "Dirty Dancing".

It was a performance of Alicia Keys's ‘No One’ that first drew attention to her in March and she sang the tune again on Friday to cheers from an audience that included nuns from her Ursuline Order. Sister Cristina has already sung alongside Kylie Minogue and Ricky Martin during the show and Keys defined as "pure energy" Suor Cristina's performance, which received more than 50 million YouTube hits.

Sister Cristina has said she was once distant from religion but was inspired to be a nun when she auditioned for a part in a musical about the founder of the Ursuline Order, Saint Angela Merici. She became a novice in 2009 and worked for two years with poor children in Brazil before formally joining the order although she still has to take her final vows.

 

Source: PA

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  • Give me back the joy of your salvation, sustain in me a generous spirit.
  • Give me back the joy of your salvation, sustain in me a generous spirit.