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Some things are bigger than the $1 million prize on “America’s Got Talent”. "I feel great to have my family here," little Jackie Evancho of Richland, surrounded by Mom, Dad and her siblings, said Wednesday night after learning on live TV she placed second in the competition. "Family is important to me." The 10-year-old soprano was gracious with the winner, soul singer Michael Grimm, as the praise continued for the performances that made her one of four finalists on the hit NBC show. "The judges said you've been blessed with an amazing gift, and you will be a huge star, and they will never forget your performances," “America’s Got Talent” host Nick Cannon said.

Jackie hugged and kissed Grimm before saying: "This experience has been amazing. I have loved every single moment I have been doing it. I hope I'll be able to sing for you again."

Jackie will stay in Los Angeles for a few more days before returning to her friends, pets and the home she misses. But her return will be short. A nationwide tour featuring the show's top 10 acts begins Oct. 1. Hometown fans likely will give Jackie a big welcome. Her supporters gathered last night at Kean Theatre on the campus of St. Barnabas and at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, both in Richland, to watch the season finale. Lisa Evancho, Jackie's mom, who has been in California, was reunited with her 6-year-old daughter, Rachel, who she hasn't seen in two weeks. Siblings Zach, 8, and Jake, 12 also made the trip, along with their dad and extended family. The money for winning would have been nice, but "it really doesn't matter," Lisa Evancho said. Jackie loves to sing in front of large audiences and is thankful for "America's Got Talent." "This show got me discovered," Jackie said, "and I found out a few things about contracts." The show also has helped her vocally, she said. Grimm was considered an underdog by online gambling sites, but the judges agreed that his performance of "When a Man Loves a Woman" during Tuesday's final was one of his best. "They're both going to be stars," said Judge Piers Morgan. "I wasn't expecting Michael Grimm to win, but he has an amazing voice."

Jackie wowed listeners with a rendition of "Ave Maria" for her final performance. She competed against Grimm, grandiose opera singer Prince Poppycock and Fighting Gravity, a 14-member dance troupe/magic act. Lisa Evancho can't fathom what the future holds for Jackie, because nothing seems real lately. "This all feels like a dream" she said. "Everyone says that our lives are going to change forever, but I don't see how yet." Mike and Lisa Evancho were relaxed yesterday, because they know Jackie is happy, and regardless of the $1 million, her dreams have come true.

One of those dreams was performing last night with her idol, classical crossover superstar Sarah Brightman. Jackie sang the first part of "Time To Say Goodbye" last night before introducing Brightman, who sang most of the rest of the song, which is the title track of her most popular album. The two held hands while singing, with Jackie looking at her hero with starry eyes and Sarah Brightman rubbing the top of the girl's hair. "Jackie is a wonderful little girl ... with a wonderful voice," Sarah Brightman said.

The NBC show did well in ratings this year, in part because of Jackie's operatic performances. The network said ratings from 9 to 10 p.m. Tuesday were up 15 percent from last year's finale. The ratings in Pittsburgh were more than double the national average, and the share jumped from a 22 on Sept. 7 to a 32 share two nights ago — meaning that among households watching television, 24 percent tuned to “America’s Got Talent”, according to WPXI. Jackie and her parents would like to remain in Pittsburgh at least while she's young, and travel when her career demands it, Mike said. "Her family is here, and her friends are here," he said. "You always hear that you either have to go to New York City or Los Angeles, but New York is only a 45-minute plane ride."