Video of a homeless woman singing opera in the LA subway captivates thousands

A homeless woman in Los Angeles has a beautiful voice and she became famous after an LAPD officer shared a video of her singing opera in the subway station shared on Twitter where it quickly became a viral sensation.

Emily Zamourka, 52, can be heard singing out a beautiful rendition of Puccini Aria. According to ABC 7, she’s had no vocal training but is a classically trained pianist and violinist.

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. pic.twitter.com/VzlmA0c6jX

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) 27 septembre 2019

“You know why I do it in the subway is because it sounds so great,” she told reporters.

Zamourka told the Times that she arrived in America when she was just 24. She settled down in Missouri and worked at a nursing home and restaurant, though she learned how to play violin and piano as a child.

Emily used to play her violin around the city to make money until someone stole the $10,000 instrument three years ago, However, a GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $50k for Zamourka to assist with her financial difficulties and compensate her violin stolen.

“That’s when I became homeless,” Zamourka told KABC. “When I could not actually pay any of my bills and could not pay any more of my rent.”

She was surprised to find out the video of her had become so popular and told reporters she just wants to return to playing her music so she could get back on her feet.

Zamourka was surprised to find a video of her singing on the subway had become so popular, and she wanted to return to playing her music so she could get back on her feet, she’s already scored a gig on Saturday night, singing at an Italian heritage event in L.A

#update Tonight hear from the subway soprano captured on camera in a #viralvideo by an #LAPD officer.
Her story, her song and her struggle at 11pm @ABC7 #subwaysinger #thatvoice pic.twitter.com/EHhklIEgTt

— Leanne Suter (@abc7leanne) 30 septembre 2019

Emily said, “I will be so grateful to anyone who is trying to help me get off the streets and to have my own place and my instrument.”

Joel Diamond music producer is offering her a recording contract because he loves her amazing voice, and he drawn up an offer letter for the Russian-born subway singer, with the hope of creating a “huge classical/EDM crossover hit record for the subway soprano.” The deal would be for one initial record entitled “Paradise” … which would be released on Diamond’s label, Silver Blue Records. It’s still unclear if Emily Zamourka will accept.

Many users on social media they know her and sharing their own stories of interactions with Zamourka.

A person commented “I’ve seen her for years on the Metro. I heard her once singing ‘Ave Maria’ and thought it was a radio at first. Everyone has a story…this woman does too. I don’t know why she’s been homeless all these years, but she’s a human being…that’s all that matters.”

Another one said “I’ve seen her for years on the Metro. I heard her once singing ‘Ave Maria’ and thought it was a radio at first. Everyone has a story…this woman does too. I don’t know why she’s been homeless all these years, but she’s a human being…that’s all that matters.”

Some users took the video as a chance to call out the homelessness crisis in Southern California. The situation is so bad, some officials are calling for it to be declared a state of emergency.