The hundreds of teenagers screamed whenever anyone walked near the stage at Tulsa Promenade, hoping they would finally announce Cody Simpson was here.
When the Australian teen heartthrob actually exited the elevator and climbed the stairs, the screams sounded like there were thousands of teens.
One scream started a cascade of screams. It only took one person to chant, "Cody" and the rest would join in, building to a roar but fading to nothing in a few seconds.
"How are you Tulsa," Simpson said, only to be drowned out by the screams before he could finish. "All right, nice and loud."
Sixteen-year-old Simpson, who toured with Justin Bieber when the teen sensation played in Tulsa in January, played a free show at the mall Wednesday afternoon. The area around the stage was swarming by 3 p.m. for the 5 p.m. show, with the audience singing along to songs playing from the pop radio station 92.1 The Beat, which sponsored Simpson's performance. Some of the teens were in their spot in front of the stage at 10 a.m.
"We've seen him two times already," said Stephanie Johnson, 15. "This is just something to brag about to our friends."
Johnson and her friend, Summer Bowen, also 15, were on the second level of the open court area of Tulsa Promenade. They had been there since 2 p.m., CDs in hand and eager for Simpson's autograph.
After a short set, which started about 45 minutes late, Simpson had a private meet-and-greet with a few lucky fans, then went to sign autographs for several hundred more.
When asked why they were so excited to see Simpson, their answer was simple: "He's cute," Bowen said.
"And he's Australian and he's a good singer. It's his voice," Johnson said.
Juanita Lawson brought her 14-year-old daughter, Sky, to the show with four of her friends. Lawson was sitting on the stairs, behind the hoard of teenagers and watching from a safe distance.
Lawson said she teaches juniors and seniors in high school and said that she also saw some of her students there.
In describing how excited her daughter was to see Simpson, Lawson said it was easier to say what happened when she wasn't sure if her daughter was able to come.
"She was excited enough that when she didn't think she could make it, she cried," Lawson said.
With a Simpson CD in hand, Lawson said that she too was at least a little bit excited to see Simpson. She recognized one of the songs and really enjoys it.
"This is pretty pleasant," she said.
Terra Alley brought her daughter, 11-year-old Allie Conde, to the show. She said seeing them react to Simpson reminded her of herself.
"I remember when that used to be me. This makes me feel old," she said.
Jerry Wofford 918-581-8346
jerry.wofford@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Teen girls scream for Simpson
Music
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