The woman, who captivated Los Angeles Metro riders with her amazing performance, is identified as 52-year-old Emily Zamourka, a Russian immigrant and trained violinist/pianist.
- Oct 1, 2019
AceShowbiz - A mystery woman who went viral with her amazing performance in the Los Angeles Metro station has been identified. The soprano singer is Emily Zamourka, a 52-year-old woman who grew up in Russia and came to the United States when she was 24.
Speaking to reporters from various news outlets, Emily who is a trained violinist and pianist shared her sad story. She taught lessons before suffering from serious health challenges. She worked several jobs to make ends meet.
Emily played violin on the street before her instrument worth $10,000 was stolen three years ago. "It was my income," she said of her stolen violin. "It was my everything to me." She was then evicted from her home.
"That's when I became homeless. When I could not actually pay any of my bills or any of my rent," she told 6ABC Los Angeles. "I am sleeping on the cardboard right now and the parking lot. I'm sleeping where I can sleep. I have people who feel sorry for me, but I don't want to be a burden to anybody."
Asked why she sings in the subway, Emily said, "You know why I do it in the subway? Because it sounds so great."
Emily went to become Internet sensation after an LAPD officer, who was captivated by her amazing vocal, recorded a video of her singing and posted it on the LAPD's official Twitter account. "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," read its caption. The video has now been shared tens of thousands of times.
After Emily's performance and story gained attention, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help her buy a new violin and provide her a safe place to live. Almost $13,000 of the $300,000 goal has been raised so far.
"Thank you for that," she said of becoming a social media sensation. "I don't know what to say. I've been praying really hard." She added, "I will be so grateful to anyone who is trying to help me to get off the streets and to have my own place, to have my instrument."
