Ole Miss’ Michael Simeon advances again on ’Idol’ – Jackson Clarion Ledger

Lumberton native Michael Simeon, 21, continued to advance Thursday night on ”American Idol” after a group performance that had celebrity judge Jennifer Lopez exclaiming, ”I love that kid. I just love him.”

Simeon performed with one other male singer and two female singers in a self-formed group they named ”Team Dimples,” because they all had dimples. Lopez loved the name, too.

The group performed the song ”Rude,” by Magic and all four were put through to the next round.

The group rounds are just one aspect of ”Idol’s” Hollywood week. Prior to this, Simeon had to sing solo for a chance to be part of the groups.

Simeon’s mother and father were in Hollywood watching him perform. Linda Smith, superintendent of the Lumberton Public School District, said it’s been exciting to watch her son advance.

”Group round is hard on a number of levels,” she said. ”They have to find a group, then they have to pick a song, decide who is going to sing what, rehearse, stage the song, and it takes all night.”

Smith said the members of Simeon’s group only got one hour of sleep before they had to perform.

Simeon arrived in Hollywood after receiving a yes from all three judges last month during auditions in Nashville. Simeon sang Sam Smith’s ”Stay With Me,” and played guitar, but perhaps his audition will best be remembered for when he asked Lopez to dance.

She agreed and fellow judges Harry Connick Jr. played piano, while Keith Urban sang and played guitar.

Simeon almost didn’t make it on ”Idol” this season. He first tried out in New Orleans and was told he didn’t rise to the level of talent the judges were seeing. Not giving up, he headed to Nashville.

Simeon also appeared on ”Idol” last season where he made it to the top 48.

Qaasim Middleton, the son of former Miss Mississippi, Toni Seawright also advanced to the group portion of the show after performing Ed Sheeran’s ”Give Me Love,” during the solo portion of the Hollywood audition.