KC SuperStar semifinalists are almost ready for the next round of competition.
The KC SuperStar semifinals will take place on Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre, located at The J (5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211). Admission to the event is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring diaper donations to benefit Happy Bottoms, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing diapers to families in need.
Now in its 16th year, KC SuperStar is Kansas City’s premier high school singing competition, showcasing the top vocal talent from across the metro area. After a competitive audition process that drew students from 57 different area high schools, 21 semifinalists remain to compete in this round.
“The KC SuperStar semifinals are an exciting night every year,” said 2025 co-chairs Jennifer and Steven Paul. “We love seeing these incredible young performers step into the spotlight and give it their all. You never know when you’re watching the next big star take that stage for the first time.”
The 24 participants will perform in KC SuperStar semifinals on Thursday, June 5, at The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at The J. They are Addison McLaughlin (Kansas City, Missouri), Addy Gardner (Lee’s Summit, Missouri), Amari Russell (Raymore, Missouri}, Aubree Smith (Lenexa, Kansas), Brianna Frohning (Overland Park, Kansas), Chase Curtis (Liberty, Missouri), Corbin Newberry (Kansas City, Missouri), Daniel Gomez (Overland Park), Delilah Rose Pellow (Lee’s Summit), Devin Fisher (Raymore), Emiliana Adams (Kansas City, Missouri), Ethan Reed (Lenexa), Jada Strother (Kansas City, Missouri), Jaxon Hendrix (Lenexa), Jordan Naseem (Kansas City, Missouri), Lillian Myers (Kansas City, Kansas), Madeline Watkins (Overland Park), Matt Brun (Overland Park), Matthew Fortino (Overland Park), Miles McKinzy (Overland Park), Neena Shankar (Overland Park), Noah Hastings (Olathe, Kansas), Rayna Key (Gladstone, Missouri) and Shae Simpson (Liberty).
From these semifinalists, the judges will select the top 10 performers who will advance to the KC SuperStar Finals on Sunday, Aug. 24, at Yardley Hall in the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College. Finalists compete for the grand prize of a $10,000 college scholarship, with additional scholarship awards for all final-round contestants.
This year’s panel of judges – Maurissa Cunningham, John Long and Abby Parra – have deep ties to the competition and the music industry. 2019 KC SuperStar winner and recent college graduate Cunningham performs in the Kansas City metro area and has performed with Norwegian Cruise Line; 2013 KC SuperStar finalist Long is a professional vocalist and music producer; and Parra is the lead vocalist for local indie/folk band The Canterberries and was a 2013 finalist for KC SuperStar.
Patrick Lewallen will serve as the host for the semifinals. Lewallen is an award-winning performer who has acted, sung and danced all over the world, including his critically-acclaimed performance as Lonny Barnett in the Original Broadway Tour of “Rock of Ages” and International Farewell Tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In addition, he served as a finalist in Kansas City Idol, opening for Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken’s national American Idol tour.
As The J’s major fundraising event, KC SuperStar provides financial assistance to members so they can participate in its many services, including the Child Development Center, J Camp, health and fitness, and programming, meals and transportation for Heritage, The J’s Lifelong Learning program for Adults 55+. A portion of funds raised goes to The Reat Griffin Underwood Rising Stars Fund supporting performing arts education and training programs for youth ages 14-21.
Sponsorship opportunities are available; more information is available at kcsuperstar.org or by contacting Robin Levine at or (913) 981-8895.