Ellen Ciurczak, American Staff Writer 10:21 p.m. CST January 7, 2015
Lumberton native Michael Simeon auditions for American Idol in Nashville. He moved on to the Hollywood round on Wednesdays show.(Photo: Submitted photo)
Lumberton native Michael Simeon is going to Hollywood after receiving a yes from all three judges during Wednesday's premiere of "American Idol."
Simeon, 21, sang Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" and played guitar during his audition in judge Keith Urban's hometown of Nashville.
In an interview with the American, Simeon said he felt "fantastic" upon getting the golden ticket to Hollywood from the judges.
"Thousands try out and only a few get that golden ticket to go," he said.
Simeon's mother, Lumberton Public School District Superintendent Linda Smith, was waiting outside the audition room for him.
She said she was excited to see him emerge with the ticket to Hollywood.
"It was something he really wanted to do," she said. "It's one step closer to achieving his dreams."
The Ole Miss junior very nearly didn't make it in front of the judges for "Idol's" 14th season.
He first tried out last year in New Orleans and was told the level of talent was very high and he wasn't meeting it.
But Simeon, who advanced to the top 48 in season 13 of "Idol," decided to give it another try in Nashville.
In a promo on Wednesday's show, Simeon can be seen saying, "I wanna do music for the rest of my life. Hopefully, this is the next step."
Simeon said the one thing he has learned during his numerous "Idol" auditions is that he has to create a moment within each performance.
Wednesday night he certainly did that when he asked judge Jennifer Lopez to dance.
Lopez agreed to the request and judge Harry Connick Jr. said, "If you're gonna dance, we're gonna play."
Connick sat down at the piano, and Urban took Simeon's guitar. Simeon slow danced with Lopez and serenaded her once again with "Stay With Me."
Simeon said he just took a chance when he asked Lopez to dance with him.
"I wanted to dance with Jennifer Lopez. I thought it would be fun," he said. "I walked up to the table and asked her. It worked out great."
Smith said her son made a memory that will last forever.
"It created a moment not only for the show, but for him as well," she said. "I'm proud of him."
Michael Simeon
Age: 21
Family: Parents Linda and Mason Smith, one brother and one sister
Hometown:Lumberton
Education:Lumberton High School, junior at Ole Miss
Click it
www.michaelsimeonmusic.com
www.americanidol.com
Read or Share this story: http://hatne.ws/1BBzRL5
Source: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/lumberton/2015/01/07/lumberton-native-advances-american-idol/21422969/
No comments:
Post a Comment