Far from final<\/p>
By Romina Monaco<\/em><\/p> leven-year-old singer Roberta Battaglia made history this fall as the youngest Canadian to ever reach NBC\u2019s America\u2019s Got Talent<\/em> (AGT) finals. The Brampton, Ontario native earned her fourth-place finish in September after performing Alessia Cara\u2019s hit single \u201cScars to Your Beautiful\u201d\u2014an incredible ac- complishment considering the 2.5 million submissions received for Season 15. \u201cI\u2019m feeling so grateful and am thankful to all my supporters and fans,\u201d she said to cele- brity judges and television audiences during an episode. <\/p> Battaglia began her musical journey as a toddler when she picked up a microphone at a local restaurant and began singing with her musician father. Mentored by her dad, her weekends consisted of restaurant, festival and gala gigs, including special appearances celebrating Italian Heritage Month and her Italian-Canadian community of Toronto. <\/p> Despite having performed on many stages since age three, nothing could have prepared Battaglia for the emo- tion she felt upon receiving the show\u2019s coveted Golden Buzzer. \u201cIt was surreal. I didn\u2019t think it would happen, and it was unexpected.\u201d <\/p> Left mesmerized by Battaglia\u2019s rendition of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper\u2019s \u201cShallow\u201d prior to the live shows in June, AGT judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum were also moved when she publicly confessed to being bullied. This compelled Vergara to send a strong message to the audience \u201cLet\u2019s see who is going to bully you after this,\u201d right before she \u201cbuzzed\u201d Roberta through, catapulting her to the semifinals\u2014and to stardom. <\/p> Not only is she an international singing phenom, but she has also become an anti-bullying advocate and is considered a role model for kids around North America. Described by Cowell as \u201chumble,\u201d proud parents Gabriella and Alessandro Battaglia have kept their daughter\u2019s feet firmly on the ground by instilling in her the importance of altruism. In fact, Battaglia has regularly supported Toronto\u2019s SickKids Hospital with various fundraising efforts. <\/p> Panoram Italia<\/em> met with her to know more about her experience at AGT and her future projects. <\/p> How did your AGT journey begin?<\/strong> It all began when I submitted an audition tape to America\u2019s Got Talent and was selected to audition on the stage. It was always my dream to be on AGT.<\/p> What would you say was most memorable about spending time in Los Angeles and being on AGT?<\/strong> I think the live shows were the greatest part of it all. My favourite moment was probably reaching the finals and semifinals. I got to the top 10, which for me was such a big deal. This is a journey that will remain in my heart the rest of my life, and just being in Los Angeles with both of my parents was fun.<\/p> What was the most important lesson you have learned from this whole experience?<\/strong> I learned that you need to work very, very hard to make your dreams come true. It was an experience that made me grow and under- stand that in order to be a singer there have to be sacrifices\u2014busy days with long hours singing and rehearsing. It can sometimes be tiring, but it\u2019s all worth it in the end.<\/p> You mentioned your challenges with bully- ing on AGT. How has bullying affected you?<\/strong> Bullying affected me for a long time and we need to put an end to it because it\u2019s something that hurts kids mentally and physically. I had people saying mean words and physically <\/p> bullying me as well, but I never let it get me down or change me because I believe every- one is unique in their own way. If anything, Now that you have appeared in front of a world- wide television audience, what\u2019s next for you?<\/strong> For the moment, I\u2019m in school and practicing more music. I have an album in the works with original music and some cover songs, but I don\u2019t precisely know when it will be released. So, stay tuned! I\u2019m excited about my own merchandise, which is out now and available on my website. I believe this is just the beginning and a head start to where I want to be in my career and where I want to go in life and with music.<\/p> You covered a few artists during your AGT performances. Which artists would you like to perform a duet with?<\/strong> Definitely Lady Gaga and Pink.<\/p> Who have been your biggest influences perso- nally and professionally?<\/strong> I would say both my parents but mostly my dad, especially when you\u2019re talking about music because my dad is the reason why I\u2019m into mu- sic right now. When I was little, I always used to see him performing for crowds and making people smile just like I\u2019m making people smile now. I\u2019m very blessed to have this opportunity and to have a voice I can share with the world.<\/p> Other than performing, what would be your second career choice?<\/strong>Probably something in the music industry and radio broadcasting, like my dad.<\/p> What do you do in your spare time?<\/strong> I love cooking and baking with my mom. I also love spending quality time with my family and playing with my dog, Happy.<\/p> Tell us about growing up in an Italian- Canadian household. How important is your Italian culture to you? Do you speak and\/or sing in Italian?<\/strong> Yes, I speak and sing fluently in Italian. I feel blessed to be Italian-Canadian and I\u2019m defi- nitely proud of my culture, language and tradi- tions. Not only is my heritage very important to me, but so is the Italian community. I have a lot of Italian fans, and Italy is where my dad comes from and my mom\u2019s origins are from there. So, basically, I\u2019m half Italian and half Canadian.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Far from final By Romina Monaco leven-year-old singer Roberta Battaglia made history this fall as the youngest Canadian to ever reach NBC\u2019s America\u2019s Got Talent (AGT) finals. 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it made me a stronger person, and now I know what to do if it happens again. There was a period where it was very tough, and I\u2019m grateful to music and my parents who helped me along this path. If you are getting bullied, ignore it, but if it gets physical you definitely need to tell an adult you can trust, whether it\u2019s a parent, guardian or a teacher or whom- ever. Just make sure you break your silence. Eventually it will get better, and it\u2019s definitely been better for me.<\/p>