'America's Got Talent' Winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr, Viewers Tweet Reactions
The new winner of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” has been announced as Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., a soulful vocalist, on Wednesday night.
The sixth season of the reality television show was co-hosted by Nick Cannon, who announced the show’s champion. The 37-year-old winner said, “Thank you so much for believing in me and for letting me be myself.”
Formerly a homeless car washer from Logan County, West Virginia, Murphy was raised on welfare, and is the father of four children. He was presented with a $1 million dollar prize, with which he said he will use to care for his children.
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Tara Lucas, who grew up in Logan County, WV, spoke with The Christian Post about Murphy.
“I am very proud of the fact he comes from a small town in West Virginia,” Lucas said to CP. A member of Brightstar Freewill Baptist church in WV, Lucas commented on Murphy’s ability to stay grounded.
“I am so glad that the world was able to watch his dream come true and impressed with how he’s kept his integrity in the meantime,” Lucas said. “Everyone from Logan County is so proud of him!”
Fans and viewers of “America’s Got Talent” also turned to Twitter to express their reaction to Murphy’s success.
“Congrats to Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. on being the America’s Got Talent Champion. Making West Virginia proud! #AGT #WV” tweeted Ryan.
Chris wrote, “HUGE congrats to Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. for winning the America’s Got Talent 2011 Edition, he has 1 million reasons to smile!”
Some viewers of the show complained that winners are never dancers, such as the troupe Murphy narrowly beat, the Silhouettes.
“WHY do singers always win America’s Got Talent? I don’t understand! Srsly. I don’t get it,” wrote Jnthn.
Edward wrote on his Twitter account, “The show AMERICA’S GOT TALENT proves the opposite of what it states. Discuss.”
Murphy has the opportunity to headline his own show in Las Vegas at Caesar’s Palace next month.
“I just turned 37 but I have had this talent all my life,” Murphy told The New York Post. “If anybody in their right mind would have taken the time to invest in me then, it wouldn’t have taken me this long to get here.”
