Well, am I the only one who felt the best talent did not win this year's "America's Got Talent" competition?

Perhaps, the one who could use the million dollars the most; but is this a talent competition or a charity show? Forgive me for sounding harsh and jaded; however, I was so disappointed.

I felt any one of the top five finalists would have been a better choice than Kevin Skinner, the unemployed chicken farmer from Kentucky.

Compared to the tremendous vocal talent of the opera singer, Barbara Padilla, from Houston, who was the runner-up; or the smooth, oh so sexy, Texas Tenors, how could there be any comparison if the show is indeed a talent competition?

Heck, I loved the Recycled Percussionists too. They have Las Vegas Star Power if anyone does. I have to confess that I never thought the three kids--Voices of Glory--would win, although they were sentimental favorites with a lot of people, I'm sure.

The same thing happened on "Britain's Got Talent" when some dance group topped Susan Boyle. By the way, wasn't she magnificent? She has the purest voice that I think I have ever heard; and her phraseology is just perfect.

Of course, Barbara Padilla, as David Hasselhoff, said Monday night, is headed for bigger stages than Las Vegas anyway. Las Vegas couldn't begin to do her voice justice.

We shall have to see how this plays out. I have serious reservations that Skinner can become a big star; but I could be wrong.



Barbara Padilla
Opera Singer
Houston, Texas
BIO

Barbara Padilla was born in Guadalajara, Mexico where she studied music, acting, and dance. While in college, Barbara was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. During this time, Barbara was told that she might never be able to sing again because the radiation could harm her vocal chords. But she would not give up her dream.

After traveling to Houston for a consultation with doctors, Barbara had the chance to audition for the Moore's School of Music at the University of Houston. She was awarded a full scholarship where she completed the Master's Degree program, all while battling cancer. She was in treatment for several years and was near death on more than one occasion. Her faith, family and friends helped her through those difficult times.

Barbara is now in remission, living in Texas with her husband and beautiful three-year-old daughter. She feels incredibly blessed to have survived cancer and is ecstatic to be a part of "America's Got Talent"(Bio courtesy of NBC).

One final thing: Happy Birthday to someone special .