Thirteen-year-old singer Evie Clair has been wowing viewers and the judges on this season of “America’s Got Talent”, but the day after she advanced to the final round of competition she watched her father lose his battle with cancer.
According to a post on the family’s blog, Clair’s father — Amos Abplanalp — passed away on Thursday, surrounded by his wife and children as he took his final breath.
“We watched him take his last breaths as he continued to breathe for about 15 minutes on his own,” wrote his wife, Hillary Abplanalp, of the decision to take him off life support. “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.
“We find constant peace and joy in the knowledge that Jesus Christ paid the price of death so that it has no lasting victory. We will be with Amos again and we feel he can now be with us without the restrictions of his mortal body. Our faith in the Saviour has grown today and our family has been strengthened forever.”
According to KSL.com, Abplanalp was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in April 2016, Abplanalp had been able to accompany his daughter for her audition and subsequent performances, but his condition began to deteriorate rapidly in recent weeks. On Tuesday, the day of the semifinals, doctors estimated he only had days left to live. He reportedly watched his daughter’s performance this week from his hospital bed.
“When my dad is having tough days, I go into his room and I sing him this song to help him feel better and just to give him comfort and strength to continue fighting,” Clair told judge Simon Cowell, fighting through tears as she explained her song choice for the semifinals, “Yours” by Ella Henderson.
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Clair’s emotional performance put her through to the finals, and was praised by the judges. “Evie, Evie, Evie, I’ve said this before but you are gutsy. You really, really are and let me tell you something: this song is beautiful, your voice is beautiful… You made (this song) your version. Your tone, your pitch was stunning and laid back and let me tell you, your dad is going to be so proud of you,” said judge Simon Cowell, also becoming teary-eyed.
“I think we forget that you’re only 13 years old and you’re already going through so much, so I have to commend you on your courage and your confidence,” added Mel B. “You know, your voice is beautiful, you look beautiful, and yes, your dad is so, so proud of you,” judge Mel B added.
The singer honoured her late dad in a heart-wrenching Twitter tribute:
