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Homeless Woman Goes Viral For Incredible Singing Skills, Turns Out She Lost Her Home To Medical Bills
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Homeless Woman Goes Viral For Incredible Singing Skills, Turns Out She Lost Her Home To Medical Bills

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The subway is one of the most interesting places to visit, regardless of location. While some are built to be full-fledged museums and art galleries for tourists and locals alike, others are often the go-to places for a variety of street performers and musical artists. The latter often go there for the acoustics. No matter where you live, if your city has an operating subway system, something exciting and interesting is bound to happen there eventually. And it might go viral.

More info: gofundme.com

Emily Zamourka, the 52-year-old subway songstress, mesmerized the world with her angelic singing in the LA subway

This is exactly what happened in the Los Angeles subway. A police officer stumbled upon a woman singing opera in the Wilshire-Normandie subway station. The mesmerizing performance was filmed and soon posted on the LAPD Twitter account with a poetic caption: “4 million people call LA home. 4 million stories. 4 million voices… sometimes you just have to stop and listen to one, to hear something beautiful”.

The woman’s angelic singing immediately went viral. As of now, the video is already a bit shy of a million views. The video led to everyone talking about her and wanting to hear more of her singing.

The woman introduced herself as Emily Zamourka, a 52-year-old songstress and musician from Russia. Zamourka learned to sing as a child by watching opera singers perform on television. Her passion for music lead to mastering the piano and violin later in her life.

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Emily Zamourka used to play the violin on the streets of LA before it was stolen

Image credits: Turtz Ruzcom

She eventually moved to North America in the hopes of independence and new experiences. She worked in nursing homes and restaurants before rediscovering her passion for music and started teaching it. Unfortunately, medical problems were proving to be a huge struggle for her, which is how she ended up in Los Angeles.

Image credits: CBS

Events took a turn for the worse when her $10,000 violin was stolen and destroyed. Zamourka said that the violin was the only means of income for her at that point. However, even though her instrument was gone, nobody could steal her voice and her passion for music.

Zamourka’s story & singing struck a chord with the crowd, leading people to help the songstress get back on her feet

Image credits: CBS

Since the video went viral, the phenomenal songstress became a local celebrity, drawing crowds of spectators as well as news reporters. Zamourka was also asked to sing at the opening of Little Italy in celebration of Italian heritage in Los Angeles. A GoFundMe campaign was also kicked off to help Zamourka get housing and back on her feet.

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Here’s how people reacted

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

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Robertas Lisickis

Robertas Lisickis

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Some time ago, Robertas used to spend his days watching how deep the imprint in his chair will become as he wrote for Bored Panda. Wrote about pretty much everything under and beyond the sun. Not anymore, though. He's now probably playing Gwent or hosting Dungeons and Dragons adventures for those with an inclination for chaos.

Andželika

Andželika

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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Andželika

Andželika

Author, Community member

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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drummerkramer avatar
Bob Beltcher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saw this on the news in Houston. Such an amazing voice. Glad they were able to find her. It's so messed up that someone with such talent can't shine because our health care system is sooooo jacked up she can't get help. Imagine where she would be in life if she got the help she needed.

christophebeunens avatar
Christophe Beunens
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The USA, a country where dreams can come true. But nightmares too... She is one of the few who might get rescued from the destiny of poverty, thanks to her exceptional talent. But nobody should be allowed to loose their home, because they were ill!!!

ishma-in008 avatar
S.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In case you were wondering, miss Emily is currently staying at an airbnb, and because of this viral video, she may hopefully find a permanent place to stay at, soon! (according to an article on the Washington Post) Her story is bittersweet, especially about how her violin had been stolen and the ridiculous bills, but she's truly angelic, and I only hope for the brightest future for her. And most of all, she's an inspiration, bless her.

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drummerkramer avatar
Bob Beltcher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saw this on the news in Houston. Such an amazing voice. Glad they were able to find her. It's so messed up that someone with such talent can't shine because our health care system is sooooo jacked up she can't get help. Imagine where she would be in life if she got the help she needed.

christophebeunens avatar
Christophe Beunens
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The USA, a country where dreams can come true. But nightmares too... She is one of the few who might get rescued from the destiny of poverty, thanks to her exceptional talent. But nobody should be allowed to loose their home, because they were ill!!!

ishma-in008 avatar
S.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In case you were wondering, miss Emily is currently staying at an airbnb, and because of this viral video, she may hopefully find a permanent place to stay at, soon! (according to an article on the Washington Post) Her story is bittersweet, especially about how her violin had been stolen and the ridiculous bills, but she's truly angelic, and I only hope for the brightest future for her. And most of all, she's an inspiration, bless her.

Load More Comments
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