A local town is Crazia'h for Asia'h.  It has nothing to do with the country half a world away, but a 19-year-old American Idol contestant from Joplin, Missouri.

Asia'h Epperson recently traded in waiting tables at Red Lobster for singing on the American Idol stage.  KOLR/KSFX caught up her brother at a special watch party in Joplin called Crazia'h for Asia'h and learned her trip to Hollywood was almost denied for the third time this season.

Before hitting the stage, most American Idol contestants have to sing through several challenges.  But Joplin native Asia'h Epperson is likely the winner of that competition.

"It was pretty hard." says Donavan Epperson.

Asiah's little brother Donavan says she's rehearsed this since they were kids.

"She'd make me introduce her and her song and say this is Asia'h singing this!" says Donavan.

But she was rejected at a community-sponsored chance at the American Idol stage, twice.

"Two times in a row, she was runner up in the Four State Idol Competition." says Ben McCarty, a judge for the competition.

So, she drove to Atlanta, Georgia on her own for this year's auditions.  

But two days before making it to the judges, "My brother called me about the car accident and my Dad had passed away and it was hard." says Asia'h.

So hard, she almost didn't go through with the audition.

"She questioned it, but we were just like do what you feel in your heart.  Do what your first instinct is and hers was to make it and she did it all by herself and I'm glad she did." says Donavan.

She still has a lot of singing to do to become the next American Idol.  But by overcoming several challenges, many are already idolizing her.

"I know how hard she's fought to get to that position." says McCarty.

Donavan adds, "I knew she had it in her, just the strength in her heart."

Here's one more challenge to add to Asiah's quest in becoming the next American Idol.  Her brother says she has the flu and it's affecting her voice.  She's on voice rest during most of the day.  She can't even call him on the phone, she's only allowed text messaging.