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February 14, 2008

<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0>Joplin native named semifinalist on ‘American Idol’<font color="#ff0000"> w/ link to Asia'h Epperson interview video </font>

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.

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