After hosting two nights of auditions featuring over 120 high school singers, KC SuperStar organizers have announced 24 semifinalists for its 16th year.
In total, 57 different area high schools were represented during the audition process, which was hosted at The J. Participants in KC SuperStar compete for the first-place prize of a $10,000 scholarship, and additional scholarship money is awarded to all finalists.
“For the last 16 years, we have seen teens from across the metropolitan area overcome their fears to share their love of singing with us,” said Tammy Ruder, KC SuperStar producer and director. “The training that they are receiving from their high school music teachers can be seen when they share their talent with us. Once again, the auditioners made it extremely difficult to narrow it down to a smaller group, but now that we have the semifinalists, I cannot wait to see how they grow from a musical theatre performer and choral member to an individual artist. It is going to be fun.”
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).
A panel of entertainment industry professionals will choose the top 10 singers who will move onto the finals, which will be held at Yardley Hall in the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College on Sunday, Aug. 24.
Since its conception, KC SuperStar has had participants from across the metropolitan area compete, and several competitors have continued to perform professionally. KC SuperStar awards over $22,000 in scholarships annually to the top 10 finalists. In addition to a $10,000 scholarship for the winner, other singers will be awarded scholarships, including $5,000 for second place, $2,500 for third place, $1,000 for fourth place and $500 each for all other finalists.
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.
KC SuperStar’s 2025 co-chairs are J members and community volunteers Steven and Jennifer Paul.