Arizona's Evie Clair, the 14-year-old Florence singer from "America's Got Talent" Season 11, performs in Queen Creek Feb. 24, the same day Phoenix hosts 'AGT' auditions.
Garrett Mitchell|The Republic | azcentral.com
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Evie Clair, the 14-year-old singer who captured the hearts of "America's Got Talent" viewers last year, is experiencing the notoriety buddingperformers covet when they try out for the NBC show.
Following Season 11's finale inSeptember, the Florenceteenager has maintained a busy schedule of performances across the United States that include upcoming shows in Hawaii, Pennsylvania and California, in addition to several Arizona endeavors.
Before throngs of professional and inexperienced acts make their way to the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, Clair offered insight on what life has been like since she left the main stage. She alsooffered advice on sustaining in the competition.
MORE:Evie Clair: What's next for 'America's Got Talent' finalist?
QUESTION: We last spoke following the 'AGT' Season 12 finale. Can you tell me what life has been like for you since the show wrapped?
ANSWER: It's been crazy. I've had showsout of state at least once a month andshows here every week. It'sjust been really, really crazy, but also a huge blessing because without this, Idon't know what we would have done.
Q: What's it like having such a large platform today where you can share a message with fans?(Clair hasmore than 289,000followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.)
A:I want to show them that no matter what happens to us, it's always our choice at how we react to it...What I want to show people is a genuine love that makes every place you go better. On the show, even though something terrible was happening in my family and it was sad, we were able to get through it. We're fine and everything will be alright in the long run if we do what we're supposed to.
Q: Do you still keep in touch with anyone from the show?
A: Every once in a while I'll get a message from someone like Mandy Harvey,and I'll send a message to everyone once in a while. It's weird not being with them. I spent pretty much every day for two months with all of them and have made some long-lasting friendships.
Q: Your "AGT" journey offered viewers insight into your close relationship with your dad, Amos Abplanalp, who died of colon cancer the week before the final round. What do you think he'd say about what you've achieved?
A: He'd definitely be proud of me. This was beyond my dreams. I always wanted to be famous but I thought it would never come true, and it was just one of those things you say. It's been really incredible and I know he'd be proud.
Q: You definitely had a connection with the "AGT" audience that commended you for your emotional performances. What's been one of the most memorable or special performances you've delivered since the show?
A:I was doing a show in South Carolina back in December and they broughtspecial things to commemorate my dad and honor our family. It was nice to be able to be there and help the organization Lights of Hope, which donated the money raised to a cancer foundation there. It was nice to see how much everyone there genuinely loved their neighbors and community.
Q: Do you have a favorite song to perform these days?
A:I've actually never really had a favorite song I perform. My mom always says I never play the same song in the same way twice. I might have a favorite one day and it'll change by the next day.
Q: What's it like experiencing this newfound fame with your family? What sort of adjustments have you had to make?
A:Some adjusting has been needed. It's been hard going back to school, and teachers have been able to accommodate for me being gone. We've been careful out in public because a lot more people know who I am now. I feel like it's kind of changed everything. I feel like I have a whole new personality. My real name is Evelyn, and when I go out shopping late at night with my mom wearing just sweatpants, I'm Evelyn. But when people stop me and ask for a photo, they call me Evie Clair. It's been weird getting back to a normal life. And it won't be normal for awhile, but we'll make it through.
Q: What advice would you give to those who are auditioning this year, specifically to those who are your peers?
A: I had a girl ask me what to do if she gets rejected. I actually auditioned two times before I got on the show. I'd say to just keep trying. If you don't make it this time, it's just not your time to shine. Everyone has a talent and something they're good at. If something doesn't work for you, then go onto the next thing and keep going until you find something that makes you happy and bless other people's lives with it. That's why we have talents — to bless people.
Q: What can we look forward to seeing in the future from you?
A:My album ("Okay Day")will hopefully be coming out in June. We're working on it right now and I'mreally excited about it. I hopeeveryone will like it and it'll go far. It'll be a starting point and I hope tokeep making better albums and keep going to eventually have a big fan base to keep doing stuff like this.
The title, "Okay Day," is asong I performed in the final results show. It's about how even through the darkest days, you find light, and it's your choice to sayit'll be an OKday. My sister and Iwrote that song with the vision that there's not enough songs with good messages. I hope people are inspired by it.
Q: You posted a video on your YouTube channel showing you as a 7-year-oldkid singing your audition song "Arms" by Christina Perri. Did it surprise you to see how long that song has been a part of your life?
A: I totallyforgot Imade that video and had been singing it that long. Another video shows me dancing to it. Thatsong has always been a part of my growing up, so Ialways was singing and dancing to it. I bet "AGT" would have loved to have had that one for a package because it's awesome to see how much I've grown since then.
Evie Clair performance
When: 7 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 24.
Where:American Leadership Academy, 850 W.Combs Road, Queen Creek.
Admission: $10-$30.
Details:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/evie-clair-tickets-43004953975
MORE FROM EVIE CLAIR:
Florence's own Evie Clair brings us all to tears, wins hearts on 'America's Got Talent'
Simon Cowell: Evie Clair may not return to 'America's Got Talent' finals after father's death
