Waterloo Vocal Soloist Wins 2025 Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/17/2025) (readMedia)-- Aleesha Smith of Waterloo placed first in the senior division during the championship round of the 65th annual Bill Riley Talent Search Competition held Sunday, August 17, at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Smith was awarded a $10,000 prize for her vocal solo.

Claire Southard, Des Moines, and Andre Johnson, Des Moines, were awarded second place and $5,000 for their contemporary dance duet.

Third place and $2,500 went to Audrey Janssen of Indianola for her piano solo.

Fourth place went to Hannah Harris, Dunlap; Lauren Herrig, Denison; Tayla Broderson, Denison; Brylee Schechinger, Harlan; and Addison Houston, Denison, for their tap dance quintet.

Fifth place was awarded to Emma Davis from Fort Dodge for her vocal solo.

Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year's Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair. The championship round took place on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor iHeart Radio. Bill Riley, Jr. hosted the show.

More than $22,000 was awarded to the senior and sprout divisions combined.

Sprout winners included:

Lucy Lis, 7, Waterloo, Vocal Solo

Julianne Kline, 12, Clive, Baton Solo

Marianne Rose Scott,12, Johnston, Piano Solo

Reese Freml, 11, Johnston, Tap Dance Solo

Warren Place, 12, Pella, Lyrical Dance Solo

Kinsley Schooley, 12, Chariton; Paisley Wickett, 10, Chariton; Paislee McFall, 12, Chariton; Eleanor Brown, 12, Allerton; Jazz Dance Quartet

Harlow Schultz, 13, Polk City, Lyrical Dance Solo

Maddi Hodge, 10, Sioux City, Vocal Solo

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 170 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Fair Sweet Fair, August 7-17, 2025. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.