Kentucky native Kevin Skinner, an unemployed farmhand and longtime musician, was named the winner of NBC’s America’s Got Talent last night. Yee haw!
He beat out opera singer Barbara Padilla, his final competitor after almost 100,000 hopefuls auditioned for the fourth season of the NBC talent show.
“My heart was pounding, almost to the point that I thought it was going to come out of my chest,” Skinner said after winning the $1 million prize.
“I had never experienced anything like that and probably never will again, I would say, that dramatic. It’s the greatest feeling. I’m 35, so I have been chasing the dream for a while, and it hasn’t come true. It’s more than words can explain.”
Kevin Skinner has Got the most Talent in America!
Judge Sharon Osbourne summed up Kevin Skinner’s win: “Apparently, it was a really huge win, too. It’s just such a feel-good story that people just want him to win because he’s the everyman. All his life he’s been the underdog."
"He’s so genuine, what you see is what you get. He’s not contrived. So many people that come on this show kind of get sophisticated and try to play the game.”
Like Britain’s Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle, who performed on the AGT finale in her American musical debut, Kevin Skinner became an viral video star long before he took home the title yesterday evening. Congrats again, K!
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88 Comments
September 17th, 2009 10:37 AM
kevin is good but barbra was by far the better singer. such a beautiful voice. did she finish 2nd because people felt opera didn't belong in vagas.
September 17th, 2009 10:53 AM
I am not a huge country music fan but Kevin deserved this and I liked him. Barbara has a beautiful voice but maybe Vegas is not the place for opera singers and she will go on to great things. I have never heard a word about the male opera singer that one last season,opera doesn't seem to be newsworthy for some reason.
September 17th, 2009 11:04 AM
Opera is one thing, a performer with "IT" another. Ah, yes, the undefinable "IT" seen in the likes of music legends. Kevin's very nature exudes "IT" and it's bankable.
September 17th, 2009 11:30 AM
Kevin deserved to win...if for any reason: his humble talent.
Barbara is a winner as well, yet we must remember she is professionally trained (Masters in Music). She will do quite well in the right venue.
By the way, did anyone read the fine print as the show ended last night? The million dollars is not a "here you are" check." It is conveniently a spread-out trust, giving him about $25K a year...for 40 years. Ok, better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, but hopefully residuals from other performances will help him OWN the chicken farms!! God Bless This Man!
September 17th, 2009 11:45 AM
I am so proud for Kevin............He deserved to win.......It is awesome when someone from his situation in life (that none of us can help) is so talented and get the opportunity to show it....I hope he makes it..........and knowing the side of life he comes from------the chicken farming aspect--------makes me even prouder that he will be able to do something that he enjoys now........It could not have happened to a nicer guy........Enjoy it Kevin.....
September 17th, 2009 11:45 AM
Few people have moved me the way this man has. His humble beginnings, his overall humility, and his emotion-padded voice could move anyone to tears. That is how he got the votes to win; he moved America, and they respond. God bless Kevin. if he did not win, i'd have wanted the Voices of Glorry to win. well done, Kevin. america loves you.
September 17th, 2009 11:55 AM
I am so very happy and proud of Kevin Skinner -- he really did deserve to win. He is very humble! Barbara Paddila is so great, too and she is such a sweetheart! Congrats to both of them.
September 17th, 2009 12:03 PM
Kevin was great Barbara Paddila was also terrific but she belongs more in an Opera House than Las Vegas hopefully being on tv will help her get to where she wants / probably good the money is spaced out over years - if it goes to his head and he blows it all he still has something to fall back on next year so he won't have to go back to chasing chickens / hopefully for his family he'll stay a good ole country boy and stay as humble n decent as he seemed to be
September 17th, 2009 12:05 PM
Congrats Kevin I loved you from the very beginning and voted for you every week.You are indeed a country star as I am a country music fan and attend a lot of concerts hopefully someday I will see you open for someone famous.You are a humble man with a loving family and someone like you deserves a break in life so enjoy the ride.
September 17th, 2009 12:07 PM
I am so glad Kevin Skinner won. I was knocked off my feet with his voice the first time I heard him and I voted for him everytime I got a chance. He seems like a true, honest person and I am glad he won. He is a plain, simple man and that is what kind of person I like to see win. I believe he will remain humble even though he has won a big title. I hope Kevin your career goes far, you deserve it.