Barbara Padilla

Barbara Padilla is a soprano opera singer who first appeared nationally on the reality TV show competition "America's Got Talent". In her 2009 audition, she performed the song "O Mio Babbino Caro" and impressed the judges and the audience with her rendition. She later sang "Ave Maria" on another episode of the show and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Judge Piers Morgan called Padilla a "superstar".http://www.playingfieldpromotions.com/blog/tag/barbara-padilla-ave-maria/ After being selected to the top 48, she advanced to the show finals where she finished in second place.http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/contestants/finalists/barbara.shtml

After the show concluded, Padilla performed at a televised benefit concert in December 2009. She currently lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and four year old daughter. On her website, she announces that she is currently working on her first studio album which will be released later.http://barbarapadilla.com/index.html

Barbara Padilla was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. She went on to study music at the Universidad de Guadalajara and became a music instructor and a soloist in her state choir. After graduating from college, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the immune system.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hodgkins-disease/DS00186 Even though the disease is considered treatable, Barbara was told that the chemotherapy and radiation she would have to undergo might affect her ability to sing.http://barbarapadilla.com/page2.html

Once her treatment was finished, Barbara auditioned to get accepted into the Moore School of Music at the University of Houston. She was admitted on a full scholarship and graduated with a Master's degree in vocal performance from the university in 2004. During this time she continued to receive treatment for her illness. Her cancer is currently in remission.http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2009articles/july2009/07242009Padilla.php