Sister Cristina Scuccia: Singing Nun Wins Italy’s ‘The Voice,’ Leads Public Prayer To Celebrate

Sister Cristina Scuccia became an internet sensation when the singing nun belted out incredible pop performances on Italy’s version of The Voice, and now she can add champion to her resume.

Sister Scuccia won a convincing 62 percent of the vote in the show’s four-hour finale, earning herself a recording contract from Universal.

The singing nun made waves back in March with her singing and dancing performance of the song “Flashdance… What a Feeling” from the 1980s movie Flashdance. She also earned some criticism among the religious faithful for her insistence on wearing her full habit while performing, leading some to believe she was engaging in unnecessary exhibitionism.

After her victory, the 25-year-old nun thanked ”all those who have helped me in this difficult period.” She then recited the Lord’s Prayer, asking the studio audience to join in with her.

”I want Jesus to enter here,” she said.

Sister Cristina Scuccia will likely be the most memorable contestant in the show’s history. From her very first appearance — in which judges listened to her audition blindly, not knowing she was a nun — Scuccia was a huge hit. She was loved by audiences on the show and internet alike, with a video of her performance of the Alicia Keys song “No One” getting more than 50 million views.

The singing nun also had a sharp sense of humor on the show. When asked what the Vatican would think of a Catholic nun competing on The Voice, she joked that she expected a call from the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Singing had been a lifelong dream for Sister Cristina Scuccia, who found her way into a music talent competition organized by the Orsolina Sisters back in 2008. She was then convinced by her Mother Superior to try out for The Voice.

The singing nun also has some big support in Italy.

“There are plenty of people guiding her who will help organize her artistic activity. I think she has a lot of support,” said Claudia Koll, an actress who enrolled Sister Cristina at the drama school she runs at a nunnery in Rome after hearing her perform. “She is supported by prayer and by people, so she’s not as much at risk as people think.”

Though she has a bright recording future ahead of her after wining The Voice, Sister Cristina Scuccia said she knows where her allegiances lie. The singing nun said she would return to her church choir if her superiors asked her to.