Citation :Joplin native named semifinalist on ‘American Idol’ w/ link to Asia'h Epperson interview video
By Dustin Shipman
dshipman@joplinglobe.com
Joplin native Asia’h Epperson has moved closer to her dream of becoming the next “American Idol” by being named one of the 24 semifinalists.
The 19-year-old’s original audition took place in Atlanta, Ga., and aired Feb. 5 on the Fox TV competition. She captured national audiences with the story of her father’s death just two days before her audition, and she performed LeAnn Rimes’ “How Do I Live” as a tribute to her father.
She received glowing compliments during her audition from all three of the judges, bringing Paula Abdul to tears and even catching a rare compliment from the panel’s harshest critic, Simon Cowell.
On Wednesday’s broadcast, she was among the 12 male and 12 female singers who made the cut during Hollywood week.
The Globe’s efforts to obtain an interview as well as attempts to find out whether she has moved from the Joplin area have been unsuccessful.
But some of those who know her said they aren’t surprised at her success in the singing competition.
Epperson’s talent as a performer was evident at an early age, said Julie Yonkers, choir director at South Middle School in Joplin.
“She was a very talented child, very outgoing and personable,” Yonkers said. “When it came to performing, she would just light up the stage.
“She was phenomenal when she was in middle school, and I knew that with the right direction she would go far. She was heavily involved in choir and was a member of our honors choir for Southwest Missouri. She was one of those kids that you just knew would do well in performing. When I heard she was auditioning, I just knew she would make it to the top 24. A lot of my choir kids watch ‘American Idol,’ and of course I watch it mainly for something to connect with the kids.”
Ron Mitchell, principal of South Middle School, said he remembers Epperson as well. He said her being a contestant on “American Idol” has caused a buzz in the school, and has a lot of the students and teachers tuning in.
“It is a big buzz with the teachers more than the students because they know her personally, so it is very exciting,” he said.
Holly Cloud, who worked with Epperson for several months at Curves, also performed with her last year in an ’80s-themed routine during the “Blast From the Past” put on by St. John’s Regional Medical Center.
“She’s very fun, bouncy and funky, has her own style, and is very outgoing,” Cloud said. “Everyone said she was (a good singer) and should try out for ‘American Idol.’ I think it’s really cool that she made it.”
While Epperson has spoken fondly of Joplin on the show as well as in interviews available on the “Idol” Web site, she could not be reached by the Globe.
Jill Hudson, a spokeswoman for the Fox network, said earlier this week that neither Epperson nor her family could be made available for interviews.
“If we set up interviews for one of the contestants, then we have to set them up for all,” Hudson said.
The 12 male semifinalists are scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with the women to perform Wednesday night.
source:
http://www.joplinglobe.com/joplin_metro ... ndarystory
Asia'H
Citation :Joplin's American Idol Contestant
Play Media
Reported by: Angie Weidinger
Wednesday, Feb 27, 2008 @08:57pm CST
JoplinIdol2008-02-27-1204167524.jpgA local town is Crazia'h for Asia'h. It has nothing to do with the country half a world away, but a 19-year-old American Idol contestant from Joplin, Missouri.
Asia'h Epperson recently traded in waiting tables at Red Lobster for singing on the American Idol stage. KOLR/KSFX caught up her brother at a special watch party in Joplin called Crazia'h for Asia'h and learned her trip to Hollywood was almost denied for the third time this season.
Before hitting the stage, most American Idol contestants have to sing through several challenges. But Joplin native Asia'h Epperson is likely the winner of that competition.
"It was pretty hard." says Donavan Epperson.
Asiah's little brother Donavan says she's rehearsed this since they were kids.
"She'd make me introduce her and her song and say this is Asia'h singing this!" says Donavan.
JoplinIdol32008-02-27-1204167588.jpgBut she was rejected at a community-sponsored chance at the American Idol stage, twice.
"Two times in a row, she was runner up in the Four State Idol Competition." says Ben McCarty, a judge for the competition.
So, she drove to Atlanta, Georgia on her own for this year's auditions.
But two days before making it to the judges, "My brother called me about the car accident and my Dad had passed away and it was hard." says Asia'h.
So hard, she almost didn't go through with the audition.
"She questioned it, but we were just like do what you feel in your heart. Do what your first instinct is and hers was to make it and she did it all by herself and I'm glad she did." says Donavan.
She still has a lot of singing to do to become the next American Idol. But by overcoming several challenges, many are already idolizing her.
"I know how hard she's fought to get to that position." says McCarty.
Donavan adds, "I knew she had it in her, just the strength in her heart."
Here's one more challenge to add to Asiah's quest in becoming the next American Idol. Her brother says she has the flu and it's affecting her voice. She's on voice rest during most of the day. She can't even call him on the phone, she's only allowed text messaging.
source:
http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=18040
Play Media
Reported by: Angie Weidinger
Wednesday, Feb 27, 2008 @08:57pm CST
JoplinIdol2008-02-27-1204167524.jpgA local town is Crazia'h for Asia'h. It has nothing to do with the country half a world away, but a 19-year-old American Idol contestant from Joplin, Missouri.
Asia'h Epperson recently traded in waiting tables at Red Lobster for singing on the American Idol stage. KOLR/KSFX caught up her brother at a special watch party in Joplin called Crazia'h for Asia'h and learned her trip to Hollywood was almost denied for the third time this season.
Before hitting the stage, most American Idol contestants have to sing through several challenges. But Joplin native Asia'h Epperson is likely the winner of that competition.
"It was pretty hard." says Donavan Epperson.
Asiah's little brother Donavan says she's rehearsed this since they were kids.
"She'd make me introduce her and her song and say this is Asia'h singing this!" says Donavan.
JoplinIdol32008-02-27-1204167588.jpgBut she was rejected at a community-sponsored chance at the American Idol stage, twice.
"Two times in a row, she was runner up in the Four State Idol Competition." says Ben McCarty, a judge for the competition.
So, she drove to Atlanta, Georgia on her own for this year's auditions.
But two days before making it to the judges, "My brother called me about the car accident and my Dad had passed away and it was hard." says Asia'h.
So hard, she almost didn't go through with the audition.
"She questioned it, but we were just like do what you feel in your heart. Do what your first instinct is and hers was to make it and she did it all by herself and I'm glad she did." says Donavan.
She still has a lot of singing to do to become the next American Idol. But by overcoming several challenges, many are already idolizing her.
"I know how hard she's fought to get to that position." says McCarty.
Donavan adds, "I knew she had it in her, just the strength in her heart."
Here's one more challenge to add to Asiah's quest in becoming the next American Idol. Her brother says she has the flu and it's affecting her voice. She's on voice rest during most of the day. She can't even call him on the phone, she's only allowed text messaging.
source:
http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=18040
JOYEUX NOEL ET BONNE ANNÉE 2009!!!!
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Yo_girl_36
- Manitou de la Parlotte
- Messages : 2030
- Inscription : sam. janv. 15, 2005 1:00 am
J'ai aps encore d'avis fixé sur elle :
- j'ai adoré sa première prestation. Elle était vraiment bien dedans, il y avait un vrai plaisir d'être là et on voyait que les musiciens prenaient du plaisir à l'accompagner (l'alchimie entre un chanteur et le groupe est quelque chose qui est très importante pour moi et montre beaucoup de choses).
- Sur All by myself... c'était boring et elle s'est plantée.
Bref, j'attend de voir la semaine prochaine.
- j'ai adoré sa première prestation. Elle était vraiment bien dedans, il y avait un vrai plaisir d'être là et on voyait que les musiciens prenaient du plaisir à l'accompagner (l'alchimie entre un chanteur et le groupe est quelque chose qui est très importante pour moi et montre beaucoup de choses).
- Sur All by myself... c'était boring et elle s'est plantée.
Bref, j'attend de voir la semaine prochaine.
-
Tété McDoom
- Illustre Pie
- Messages : 435
- Inscription : dim. janv. 21, 2007 1:00 am
Citation :Asia'h Epperson blames 'American Idol' ouster on performance order
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By Christopher Rocchio, 03/11/2008
When Asia'h Epperson learned she was going to be the first American Idol seventh-season female semifinalist to sing during last Wednesday night's live performance episode broadcast, she had a feeling it might lead to her elimination.
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"I kind of had an idea I was going home," she told reporters during a Friday conference call. "I definitely think I deserve to be in the Top 12 -- but at the same time, when they told me that I was first, I actually called my mom at that moment, and was like, 'I think this is going to be my last time performing on this stage.'"
The 19-year-old from Joplin, MO was right, as she was eliminated on the cusp of the finals during last Thursday night's live results show broadcast that revealed the Top 12.
RELATED LINKS
American Idol Message Boards
RealityTVWorld: American Idol
RealityTVWorld: American Idol 7
SirLinksALot: American Idol
More American Idol 7 News
Epperson said when she informed her mom about her hunch that she'd be booted after singing "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" first, her mom didn't really understand why.
"I just said I just feel that the order that I'm in is really going to affect the results," Epperson explained. "I feel that -- because I had such an upbeat song -- that it wasn't proper for me to be the very first person. I had to look at it as if I was in the audience, and I just sat down. If I would want someone right up in my face, right there in the beginning saying I want to dance with somebody. I'd be, 'Whoa, hold on, I just got here. Let me get warmed up first!'"
Epperson's blame on Wednesday night's "lineup" of performances also conveniently takes any reason for her ouster off of her.
"I don't think that I failed myself, because I didn't take what number I was going to go," she said. "I thought I did a very good job, as good as I could do. I do believe that them picking me to go first was a downfall... You're coming out with a fast upbeat song, it's a little overwhelming, like a little too much at the time. You want to wait and ease into that, and then make people get up... So, I think it was a little bit of a downfall that they put me first."
While Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul both complimented Epperson's performance of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," Simon Cowell characterized it as "second-rate Whitney Houston." Epperson said she considered she might be criticized for selecting a Houston song, but decided to go forward with it anyway.
"I consider myself enough of a unique artist -- as far as my voice and my stage performance, and things like that -- that I didn't think that I would really be compared to [Houston or Mariah Carey], even though those are two of some of my favorite artists," said Epperson. "Yes, it went through my head, but I didn't second guess myself. I went ahead and did my Whitney song, and [Cowell] did compare me to Whitney. He said I was a second rate Whitney, and I will take that any day."
Despite Cowell's comment, Epperson said the sharp-tongued judge was still her favorite of the three.
"I loved all the judges, but I have to say my favorite would be Simon, probably because everyone says he's kind of bitter, but he does know what he's talking about," she explained. "He is a professional, and I think he gives very constructive criticism, even though he could probably word it a little bit differently sometimes, but probably him, because he's probably the most harsh and makes you want to do the best that you can do."
Epperson attended last summer's Atlanta audition for Idol's seventh season only two days after her dad died in a car crash, and the judges were impressed with her ability to still stand before them and perform for a golden ticket.
"I just think that he was with me and God was with me, and my family and friends just pushed me through it," said Epperson. "That's what he wanted to do. I wasn't going to not go forward with my dreams because of that. He wanted me to do that, so that's what pushed me to keep going."
In addition, Epperson said just because her Idol journey is over doesn't mean her dad's not still helping her.
"I'm a strong believer in everything happens for a reason, and I believe that God has a bigger and better plan for me, and dad's just getting me through all of this, keeping that in my head," she said.
As a "driven person" on the heels of her Idol ouster, Epperson said she believes "the sky's the limit" of what she can accomplish in her life.
"I'm going to take every opportunity that I can. I've been in drama and things like that through middle school and high school, so maybe some acting, some commercials, maybe a little bit of modeling here and there," she said. "But definitely music, music, and music. Music is going to definitely stay in that. It's my heart and soul."
source:
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/asia ... r-6691.php
AddThis Social Bookmark Button AddThis Feed Button
By Christopher Rocchio, 03/11/2008
When Asia'h Epperson learned she was going to be the first American Idol seventh-season female semifinalist to sing during last Wednesday night's live performance episode broadcast, she had a feeling it might lead to her elimination.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I kind of had an idea I was going home," she told reporters during a Friday conference call. "I definitely think I deserve to be in the Top 12 -- but at the same time, when they told me that I was first, I actually called my mom at that moment, and was like, 'I think this is going to be my last time performing on this stage.'"
The 19-year-old from Joplin, MO was right, as she was eliminated on the cusp of the finals during last Thursday night's live results show broadcast that revealed the Top 12.
RELATED LINKS
American Idol Message Boards
RealityTVWorld: American Idol
RealityTVWorld: American Idol 7
SirLinksALot: American Idol
More American Idol 7 News
Epperson said when she informed her mom about her hunch that she'd be booted after singing "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" first, her mom didn't really understand why.
"I just said I just feel that the order that I'm in is really going to affect the results," Epperson explained. "I feel that -- because I had such an upbeat song -- that it wasn't proper for me to be the very first person. I had to look at it as if I was in the audience, and I just sat down. If I would want someone right up in my face, right there in the beginning saying I want to dance with somebody. I'd be, 'Whoa, hold on, I just got here. Let me get warmed up first!'"
Epperson's blame on Wednesday night's "lineup" of performances also conveniently takes any reason for her ouster off of her.
"I don't think that I failed myself, because I didn't take what number I was going to go," she said. "I thought I did a very good job, as good as I could do. I do believe that them picking me to go first was a downfall... You're coming out with a fast upbeat song, it's a little overwhelming, like a little too much at the time. You want to wait and ease into that, and then make people get up... So, I think it was a little bit of a downfall that they put me first."
While Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul both complimented Epperson's performance of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," Simon Cowell characterized it as "second-rate Whitney Houston." Epperson said she considered she might be criticized for selecting a Houston song, but decided to go forward with it anyway.
"I consider myself enough of a unique artist -- as far as my voice and my stage performance, and things like that -- that I didn't think that I would really be compared to [Houston or Mariah Carey], even though those are two of some of my favorite artists," said Epperson. "Yes, it went through my head, but I didn't second guess myself. I went ahead and did my Whitney song, and [Cowell] did compare me to Whitney. He said I was a second rate Whitney, and I will take that any day."
Despite Cowell's comment, Epperson said the sharp-tongued judge was still her favorite of the three.
"I loved all the judges, but I have to say my favorite would be Simon, probably because everyone says he's kind of bitter, but he does know what he's talking about," she explained. "He is a professional, and I think he gives very constructive criticism, even though he could probably word it a little bit differently sometimes, but probably him, because he's probably the most harsh and makes you want to do the best that you can do."
Epperson attended last summer's Atlanta audition for Idol's seventh season only two days after her dad died in a car crash, and the judges were impressed with her ability to still stand before them and perform for a golden ticket.
"I just think that he was with me and God was with me, and my family and friends just pushed me through it," said Epperson. "That's what he wanted to do. I wasn't going to not go forward with my dreams because of that. He wanted me to do that, so that's what pushed me to keep going."
In addition, Epperson said just because her Idol journey is over doesn't mean her dad's not still helping her.
"I'm a strong believer in everything happens for a reason, and I believe that God has a bigger and better plan for me, and dad's just getting me through all of this, keeping that in my head," she said.
As a "driven person" on the heels of her Idol ouster, Epperson said she believes "the sky's the limit" of what she can accomplish in her life.
"I'm going to take every opportunity that I can. I've been in drama and things like that through middle school and high school, so maybe some acting, some commercials, maybe a little bit of modeling here and there," she said. "But definitely music, music, and music. Music is going to definitely stay in that. It's my heart and soul."
source:
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/asia ... r-6691.php
JOYEUX NOEL ET BONNE ANNÉE 2009!!!!