Evelyn Abplanalp also known as Evie Clair is a singer-songwriter and musician. She competed in season 12 of America’s Got Talent and placed in the top 10. Clair is now enrolled as a new freshman at BYU-Idaho.

In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Clair explained how her experience on AGT was both worthwhile and challenging. She recalled having many opportunities to stand up for her standards as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her talent gained her a broad following after the show, but her example influenced fans to investigate the Church.

“After America’s Got Talent, I had a very wide demographic [of followers], and so that was really awesome," Clair said. "There were actually a few of my fans who have reached out to me and told me they’ve looked into the Church since they saw my audition… A couple of my fans have actually gotten baptized and I’ve gotten to meet them. It’s been super, super cool, the impact that I’ve been able to see."

Clair expressed gratitude for the people she has met and the connections she’s made with them. She also explained how she feels her musical calling has evolved since her big-show performances on the AGT stage just four years ago.

“That stuff doesn’t bring me as much joy anymore," said Clair. "It was super, super fun and it still is super fun but like sharing my testimony and singing praise to God, that’s what I find the most joy in now. After my shows getting to come off the pulpit and the stand and to go out into the audience after it’s over and talk to real people and learn their experiences and everything, that’s just been a dream come true. If I had to give up everything else, all the followers and everything else of my career, I definitely would.”

Clair shared that her decision to attend school at BYU-Idaho was influenced by her father’s upbringing in Blackfoot and by a personal impression.

“My dad was actually born and raised in Blackfoot, Idaho, so I’ve spent a lot of time up here in Idaho," she said. "I really like Idaho. It’s a little cold for my taste. I’m from Arizona…but I just felt like this was the place I needed to be. I was leaning towards BYU-Idaho. My parents met at BYU-Provo and I knew I didn’t want to go there, not for really any reason, it was just a feeling in my heart that I didn’t really want to go there.”

Clair introduced her plans to attend BYU-Idaho to her brother who was serving as a missionary at the time. He is now a current student this semester. Clair's boyfriend also attends the university. Once she was accepted at BYU-Idaho, Clair felt led to pursue an education in computer science as opposed to the arts. She explained why she chose a degree path so different from the music journey she has already enjoyed.

“Honestly, there is one reason and one reason alone," she said. "I am not a computer nerd. I’ve never really been into computers all my life, but I felt impressed by God that that’s what I was supposed to do.”

Evie Clair is currently working on a 20-song religious album with arrangements of hymns and original music. Her favorite Primary song “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” will be featured on the album.