Arizona girl to compete in ‘America’s Got Talent’ finals
Sep 18, 2017, 3:46 PM
(YouTube Screenshot)
PHOENIX — An Arizona girl is expected to compete in finals for the reality show “America’s Got Talent,” just weeks after announcing that her father died from a long battle with cancer.
Evie Clair, a 13-year-old girl from Florence, Arizona, “has made the decision to return and compete in the finals of ‘America’s Got Talent,'” according to a post on her mom’s personal blog.
The blog post also said Evie was given the option by AGT judge and executive producer Simon Cowell to return next season, but she turned it down in order to compete in the finals.
“We are happy to be back in LA with the remaining cast, crew and staff who have become like a second family to us this past year,” part of the blog post read. “You will not want to miss the finale so keep your schedules open and start planning parties to make sure your friends see it too.”
Evie stole the hearts of the judges during her audition, when she sang “Arms” by Christina Perri because, she told the judges, “When my dad is having rough days, then I go into his room and I sing this song to help him feel better and just to give him comfort and strength to continue fighting.”
Her father, Amos Ablanalp, died on Sept. 7 after a long battle with cancer.
I will forever miss my sweet Daddy and cherish the last few moments I had with him, holding his hand, before the end. Love you lots!❤️
— Evie Clair (@evieclair) September 8, 2017
According to a post on the blog, Evie’s mom wrote the family “watched him take his last breaths as he continued to breathe for about 15 minutes on his own. The children burst into tears but are now at home laughing at old home movies of daddy and remembering our great love for the most wonderful man any of us have ever known.”
An official Twitter account for the show also offered their condolences after learning the news.
We are deeply saddened to hear Evie Clair's father passed away last night. Our hearts are with Evie & her family during this difficult time.
— America's Got Talent (@AGT) September 8, 2017
The “America’s Got Talent” finale airs Wednesday night on NBC.