St. Joan Antida High School

St. Joan Antida High School 2003 graduate Naima Adedapo wowed the nation weekly as a Top Eleven finalist on American Idol 2011! Visit Naima’s website here and follow the links below to catch up on all of the happenings with and news stories featuring Naima.

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Mother, teachers recall giftedness of Naima Adedapo

(April 14, 2011) …In that moment of surprise, Gillespie said she still recognized the young lady and the same “wonderful spirit” Naima had as a student at St. Joan.

“Even in watching ‘Idol,’ the question that’s going through your mind is that kind of, ‘Is America ready for Naima Adedapo?’” Gillespie said of the “American Idol” finalist who incorporated into her performances the African dance and reggae familiar to Gillespie from Naima’s performances at St. Joan. “I’m glad she stayed true to herself.”

Read the full article published in the Catholic Herald here.

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Milwaukee singer voted off “American Idol”

(March 31, 2011) Milwaukee singer Naima Adedapo left “American Idol” after failing to capture enough votes to remain on the show – the first of two casualties Thursday night….

Some displays, such as last week’s performance of “Dancing In The Street,” mesmerized viewers with her powerful presence and a dazzling African dance that hearken back to her days with the Ton Ko-Thi, the children’s ensemble of the Ko-Thi Dance Company in Milwaukee.

Read the full article here. We will miss you on AI, Naima!

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(March 23, 2011) “Milwaukee’s own Naima Adedapo is among the top 11 contestants on American Idol. FOX6 takes a trip Naima’s high school St. Joan Antida, where she’s quickly becoming a legend.

Naima Adedapo graduated from the all-girls catholic school St. Joan Antida High School in 2003. Sister Monica Fumo was Adedapo’s former principal, and watched her grow up into that ‘exotic flower’ idol enthusiasts know.”

Read the full article here and watch the video played on Fox 6.

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Milwaukee’s Naima Adedapo is ‘Idol’s’ exotic flower

(March 16, 2011) “‘…performing is my life. It’s what I do.’

That was clear from the moment Naima walked into St. Joan Antida High School on Milwaukee’s lower east side…

She found her way to the school’s stage, lighting up productions through the years, Henzig says.

“Naima was just spectacularly special from the beginning,” she says. “However, extremely humble, too. She never needed to show herself off. She never needed accolades. She was very good at working with the younger kids.”

Read the full article here.

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‘Idol’ contestant Adedapo survives with wild card

(March 3, 2011) “It was a wild night for Naima Adedapo, but in the end, the Summerfest groundskeeper goes on to sing another day on ‘American Idol.’ 

The 25-year-old daughter of Adekola Adedapo, a widely known Milwaukee jazz singer, storyteller and actress, pulled a wild card reprieve after being cut Thursday night from the show.”

Read the full article and watch Naima’s performance.

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(January 27, 2011) St. Joan Antida High School 2003 graduate Naima Adedapo was featured on Milwaukee’s episode of American Idol on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. With her rendition of Donny Hathaway’s “For All We Know,” 25 year-old Naima dazzled the judges and won her Golden Ticket to Hollywood!

Watch Naima’s audition  in Milwaukee.