Michael Grimm, the Mississippi blues singer, who won the $1 million prize on "America's Got Talent" has been dubbed a young Van Morrison by judge Piers Morgan.
Morgan said that Grimm really deserved the win. He said "Michael’s genuine, he’s sincere, he’s very talented, he got better with every round, and [on Tuesday] night he gave the performance of his life. He’ll have a huge career. I think he’s like a young Van Morrison.”
Grimm won the top spot against Jackie Evancho, who was tipped to win. The 10-year-old phenomenon with a prematurely mature opera-style singing voice came in second.
The judge, Morgan, believes that Evancho will enjoy the same kind of success as Susan Boyle who also came in second place in "Britain's Got Talent". He said "Everyone assumed Susan was going to win [Britain’s Got Talent] and she finished second…Now she’s sold millions of albums. Jackie’s going to have a superstar’s career.”
Speaking after his big win Grimm said "I really thought Jackie had it in the bag…I was preparing my speech to leave. I couldn’t believe I heard my name. I was trying to make sure that what I thought was going on was going on, you know? This is definitely an out-of-body experience. This whole journey has been, but especially now.”
Grimm captured the hearts of America with his hard-luck story. The struggling 30-year-old singer was raised by his grandparents who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. His aim all along was to win the talent contest so that he could buy them a house.
He said "My grandparents don’t have to worry about anything anymore…I can’t put into words what that means to me. They’ve supported me in the music through the years, and they’ve seen me fall and get back up and keep going. Now I can take care of them.”
5 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.rsypsy1 | Sep 18, 2010, 01:52 PM EDT
I can totally see Jackie doing broadway shows at her age now and becoming a very big opera singer by the time she is an adult. Maybe even doing some film but not as a Vegas or road act. All four finalist were very talented in their own way. Fighting Gravity will be as big or bigger than the Blue Men if they keep improving and just continue to go for it and put themselves out there. I'm sure they'll do great. Prince Poppycock belongs on Broadway not Vegas, unless he got into the drag queen shows. He'd be big with that kind of stage. I just didn't think he had BIG talent to win. Michael is good, very good. I think the right winner was chosen and obviously the rest of America agreed with me. Michael already has several cd's and this is just what he needed, to win a big talent contest, to get his name and voice out there all over the world. Now he can do bigger and better things instead of the small time stuff he's been doing. Again, they were all very talented but the right one did win this time.
camasgal | Sep 18, 2010, 11:07 AM EDT
I would pay to hear Michael Grimm, but I wouldn't pay to hear Jackie. Just like Sharon, I didn't understand a word she sang; it was heavenly, but I wouldn't go to Vegas to hear opera. The whole show they are asking, "Is this a show that would make it in Vegas?" Come on, opera is NOT a Vegas act. Jackie will do fine, but not at 9 and not in Vegas. The others - Fighting Gravity and Prince Poppycock got exposure that they deserve as well...that could land them in Vegas or beyond. If I were one of those students parents I would tell them to take the experience, but go back to college!! This is Michael's break and he is no robber!
knowwhatilike | Sep 18, 2010, 12:49 AM EDT
I personally liked both Michael & Jackie. Jackie is amazing but I personally don't like opera music. Michael has a fantastic voice and I can't wait to buy his CD. As far as the previous winner Kevin Skinner the reason you don't hear about him now is that he wasn't very good. As the season progressed last year he became worse instead of better. Go Michael! Love his voice! Go Jackie. You're great.
Lin1945 | Sep 16, 2010, 04:53 PM EDT
I think Jackie will be a bigger star than we can imagine. I have to hope that voters did not want to see her in tawdry Las Vegas at her age. She should have won. The hard luck story won again. As for Kevin Skinner, last year's winner, I wonder if he was hard to work with. He has sort of faded away. The million dollars is paid over 40 years so that won't buy a house for the grandparents. Grimm will still have to work hard on his talent and I hope he realizes his dream. All four acts in the final will likely have some kind of career. #3 and 4 are acts that would charm a LV audience. Grimm would do well at the county fair and Jackie on Broadway or in the famous opera houses around the world.
SEAGATOR | Sep 16, 2010, 03:03 PM EDT
It sucks. Jackie got robbed. Michael is a so/so singer. Same thing happened last year. Barbara Bedalia against the chicken plugger. The chicken plucker won never to be heard from again. Same this this year Class vs so/so so.so won The title should be changecd to AMERICA DOOES NOT KNOW TALENT. IT WAS RIGGED.