Other websites give take on Asia'h Epperson departure from American Idol

Following are excerpts from websites and blogs on last night's elimination of Joplin's Asia'h Epperson from the seventh American Idol competition:

New York Post- Four "Idol" wannabes kicked off just before reaching the big stage were: Noriega; Kady Malloy, 18, of Houston; Luke Menard, 29, of Crawfordsville, Ind.; and Asia'h Epperson, 19, of Joplin, Mo.

Epperson took her elimination in stride. "It's fine. If I got eliminated, then anyone can," she said.

Access Hollywood- Kristy Lee Cook and Asia’h Epperson were then brought up together, to face the final elimination for the ladies.

Simon said, “Based on the song, Asia probably [will go home].”

And he was right. The teenager from Joplin, Mo was sent home, while Kristy Lee Cook, 24, from Selma, Oregon was kept on the show.

“This is one brave, beautiful, talented star and you know what Asia? There’s nothing, nothing that’s gonna stop you. You’re tenacious and you’re brilliant,” a choked up Paula said before Asia sang “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

As she performed, Danny Noriega, who had yet to find out if he had been put through over Chikezie, had tears streaming down his face.

“Thank you guys for the opportunity. This was amazing,” Asia said as she left the stage. “And, this won’t be the last time you see me.”

Los Angeles Times- Asia'h Epperson's effervescent energy might have taken her far in a weaker year, but in this season, something more intense is needed to make it to the top tiers.

Canada.com- As expected, Kady Malloy and Luke Menard were sent home Thursday, along with — sadly — Asia'h Epperson, who had the bad luck of singing first in Wednesday's performance show, and then compounded that with a bad song choice.


Whitney and Celine are Idol killers, as any longtime Idol fan knows; not even Fantasia Barrino was able to define herself as an original until she left Whitney behind and struck out on her own. Anyone who takes Whitney and Celine on — and tries to mimic them rather than throw a change-up — is asking for trouble, and Whitney proved to be too much for Asia'h to handle Wednesday.

Pioneer Press, Minnesota- The other departures were easy to call, largely due to their bland, forgettable personalities (we're looking at you, Luke Menard and Kady Malloy). It did feel too early to say goodbye to 19-year-old Asia'h Epperson, whose father died two days before her initial audition.

Then again, she should've known better and picked something beyond a dull Whitney Houston song this week. She didn't lose her spot because viewers didn't like her but because viewers could barely remember her.

Gambling 911- The American Idol final 12 was announced Thursday night with probably the biggest shock of the season thus far being Asia'h Epperson being voted off. She performed Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", and though it was all right and she certainly has the looks and confidence, it wasn't good enough for America.