Yahoo – AFP,
Charlene Pele with Francoise Kadri in Rome, 5 June 2014
Milan (AFP) - A singing nun who has won over millions with soulful renditions and a self-effacing manner put her faith in a higher power ahead of Thursday's final of The Voice of Italy.
A group of
nuns arrive at La Verna shrine in the Italian town of Arezzo,
on May 13, 2012
(AFP Photo/Vincenzo Pinto)
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Milan (AFP) - A singing nun who has won over millions with soulful renditions and a self-effacing manner put her faith in a higher power ahead of Thursday's final of The Voice of Italy.
The
25-year-old Suor Cristina is already a talent show sensation thanks to her
habit-clad performances but also has on her side the critics, who say her
popularity stems from novelty value.
"I
have a gift and I am gifting it to you," the irrepressible Italian nun
told a panel of shocked judges when she started out in March in the amateur
contest.
Public
enthusiasm has been high in this mainly Catholic country for her lustful cover
versions including tunes from Flashdance and Dirty Dancing as well as Alicia
Keys' "No One" and the 80s hit "Girls Just Want To Have
Fun".
As the
suspense mounted, the Italian sister said on Wednesday she was leaving her
future "in the hands of providence" and would remain a "humble
servant" if she wins.
She
attributed her popularity to a "thirst for joy, for love, for a message
that is beautiful and pure".
"Since
Pope Francis talks of a bible of joy... I think I'm on the right track,"
said the small-town native from Sicily, who trained at a musical academy before
becoming a nun.
Sister
Cristina Scuccia, who is up against three other finalists, has also won
celebrity endorsements including Whoopi Goldberg, the star of the comedy
"Sister Act", who tweeted: "For when you want a taste of sister
act".
Her
performance of "No One" has received more than 50 million hits on
YouTube and Keys said it was "pure energy".
The
performances have also beaten viewing records at Rai Due public television with
audience shares of up to 15 percent.
She has
already sung alongside Kylie Minogue and Ricky Martin and a flirtatious panel
judge, Italian rapper J-Ax said she could be the "holy water" to his
"devil".
'Insult
to showbusiness'
Fame has
brought media attention to her past, including interviews with a former
boyfriend and with Claudia Koll, the director of the musical academy where she
trained -- herself a former starlet who is now a lay sister.
"Cristina's
personal journey has brought her to maturity and artistic fullness thanks to a
mysterious and special force. By giving herself to the Lord, she has enriched
her art," Koll from the Star Rose Academy said in a recent interview.
Suor
Cristina has described herself as a former rebel who distanced herself from
religion but then received her vocation 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 with poor children in Brazil before formally
entering the order and still has to take her final vows even as a musical
career beckons.
But the
nun's popularity is not universal, even in Italy.
Singer Emma
Marrone, who represented Italy in this year's Eurovision song contest, said her
success was "an insult to showbusiness" because the nun was not
talented enough.
There have
also been misgivings among the panel judges and she has been propelled mainly
thanks to viewer votes.
Suor
Cristina herself has hinted she might prefer a return to a "normal
life" singing "with young people in church".
"I
will continue to sing wherever the Lord wants," she said.
"Brother, please pass the ball"
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