Almost everyone in Eden knows who Halicia Thompson is now. She was that beam of light that walked into the audition on "American Idol" on Tuesday night and made viewers, Simon, Paula and Randy smile with her magnetic personality and talent.
She made it through to California on the show, earning her a place in the minds and hearts of local Idol fans. However, magnetism is nothing new to Thompson, who has been making people smile for a long time.
Born and raised in Eden, she graduated from Morehead High School in 1996.
"Halicia was always a very outgoing and funny child, full of herself," her mother, Hallie Thompson, said.
"She's always been talented. She could walk into anywhere and you'd be laughing when she left."
That is exactly what happened at Halicia's audition for the "American Idol" judges, seen by the world on Tuesday. Doing her rendition of "A Different World," the theme song to a 1980's television show about a black college, she couldn't help but shine.
"I chose to sing (the song) because it really is (a different world)," she said. "These kids have no respect these days and this world is becoming awful. I'm hoping I can change that a little."
Obviously, the judges were in line with her way of thinking, saying that Halicia was "a natural." But what did she think of them?
"I think Simon (Cowell) is a wonderful person," she said. "He's reminds me of myself. All he wants is for you to do the best you can and if you can't do that, don't do it at all."
"Randy is not hard to please. As long as you sweep the floor and wash the dishes, Randy's cool."
"Paula is a beautiful, sweet person. She's everyone's friend. Paula is the mother of the team. She's gives a woman's point of view."
Halicia, 27, has very much enjoyed her experience so far with "American Idol."
"It was a wonderful experience," she said. "It's something that is getting me ready for what is meant for me. You have to learn."
She has been learning for a long time now, working on her comedy and preparing herself for an opportunity just like this one.
Halicia has been working to get her name out there as an entertainer, whether through her comedy or her music. There is nothing else in her life that will take the place of this dream.
"To be honest, whichever one (comedy or music) that will get me the farthest, I'll take it," she said. "I enjoy entertaining period."
And most, from the "American Idol" panel to the folks in Eden and, especially, her family, enjoy seeing her entertain.
"I've always said to Halicia, 'You're not funny. I'll laugh when you start making money,'" Hallie laughed. "She's a great daughter, I'm very proud."
Someone else may be even more proud of Halicia than her mother, though it's hard to believe: her daughter, Destiny Roberts.
Halicia had Destiny when she was 15 years old and still in high school.
"My daughter is laid back," Halicia said. "All she had to do was give me a pat on the back and say 'Ma, you done well.'
"People are asking her all about it. All of the other students are excited about it. She's got more family members than she thought she did."
All over Eden people are talking about this hometown girl and her big dreams. What's next? Well, Hollywood of course. In fact, Halicia has already made the trip, though guidelines put forth by the show's producers prohibit her from discussing this with the media.
"The morning she flew out to Hollywood, it hit me and I cried," said Hallie, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "I watched her plane go off into the great blue yonder and it just hit me. I was chosen to be her mother and she was chosen to be my child and I am so thankful for that."
Halicia's American Idol destiny will not be known for a while, until the Hollywood portion of the reality series gets underway. However, this Eden girl is proud of herself either way it goes and so is her hometown.
"I appreciate everybody's prayers and everybody getting behind me and everything," she said. "I'll always keep going, even if the American Idol thing doesn't work out. If you have a dream, you don't let anybody stop you. Dreams come true. You don't just have them, they come to pass."
American Idol can be seen every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. on the FOX network.