The Whitear sisters are impressing audiences across America not only because of their fancy footwork but because the sisters — better known as the "Fab Five" — are all Mormon wives and mothers, with 17 children collectively.
LaChere, Shaundalee, Ayrion, Cambria and Veva Whitear range from 24 to 35 years old and were raised in Morgan, Utah.
Now LaChere lives in Pocatello, Idaho; Shaundalee in Burley, Idaho; and Veva in Queen Creek, Ariz. Ayrion and Cambria still live in Morgan. They have been clogging since preschool and traveled the country performing together when they were younger.
Now the sisters power clog in perfect synchronization week after week for judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff on "America's Got Talent."
Thousands of hopefuls tried out for "Talent," and the Fab Five were one of the five acts picked after this week's voting.
After it was announced which three acts received the most votes from viewers on Sept. 2, the judges refused to choose between the fourth- and fifth-place finishers. They sent both the Fab Five and sibling singers Voices of Glory to the finals.
The Fab Five will compete in the Sept. 14 finals. A winner will be named Sept. 16.
A million-dollar prize awaits the winner of the competition, as well as a chance to perform in Las Vegas. Viewers select the winner by voting via phone, text or on the show's official Web site (www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent).
The Whitear sisters are aiming for the prize but have a specific motivation: their parents, Craig and Valerie.
"Their father lost his farm due to the economy," said family friend Gay Downs of Burley, Idaho. "If they win anything, they will use it to help their parents."
Downs, whose son danced with Shaundalee at BYU-Idaho, knows the sisters to be great examples — from what they wear on the show to keeping it wholesome for their dance students watching at home.
"Three of the sisters teach dance," she said. "They are influencing these young people, making them proud."
Downs recalled how Cambria — while eight months pregnant — helped teach LDS youths from seven Idaho stakes a team dance.
"They are all so dedicated, so kind," Downs said.
The judges have had nothing but praise for the "Fab Five." Osbourne has commented on their energy, the precision of their technique and their passion while performing. Hasselhoff has labeled them "blazing mamas."
"I like the whole idea of you," Morgan said during the June 30 episode.
"We are so thrilled they have come this far," Downs said. "We'd love to see them go all the way."
"America's Got Talent" airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays on NBC.
With reports from Scott D. Pierce
e-mail: eschmuhl@desnews.com