'Esteban! Esteban!'

Esteban Velasquez has a following that goes beyond borders.

About 200 people gathered at McKinney Park on Thursday evening to cheer on Velasquez while TV Azteca taped the turnout in Spanish.

Velasquez, 18, an Odessa High graduate, was recently named a finalist for best singer on Mexico's TV Azteca show called "La Academia," which combines elements like "American Idol" and "Big Brother."

Identical twins Stephanie and Jozi Dominguez held up a large banner with a picture of Esteban during the event. They were among the crowd of people cheering for the contestant and yelling, "Esteban! Esteban! Esteban!"

Stephanie, who works at Elegant Touch salon with Esteban's mom, Cristela, said several people at work watch the show.

Cristela tends to bring a laptop to work to view the show live via the Internet.

"A lot of people get into it," Stephanie Dominguez said.

Esteban's the only one on the show with a mustache and attendees at Thursday's event wore fake mustaches in support of him. Esteban is also one of two U.S. residents among the show's 17 finalists.

Several people said they came out to support Esteban, who won the 2007 Best Mariachi Vocalist in the U.S. title in December 2007 at the 13th annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio.

Tommy M. Aguilar, vice president of League of United Latin American Citizens, said he's known Esteban since the teenager was 8 years old and taking mariachi and singing lessons.

Aguilar said he's hooked on the show, "La Academia," to support Esteban. His house has the TV on all the time, he said.

"We're watching 24-7," he said.

Esteban's dad, Alberto Velasquez, said his son can't communicate with family members while on the show, which began airing and filming in Mexico City in August.

Alberto Velasquez said his son may be a little depressed cause he can't talk with family, but he needed to participate in the show to achieve his dream. It's what Esteban needed to do to "build his life," the father said.

"It's his life, and it's good," Alberto Velasquez said.

 WANT TO SUPPORT ESTEBAN?

>> Text "ESTEBAN" to 55225.

WHAT'S "LA ACADEMIA?"

>> "La Academia" follows its competitors with 24-hour webcams while they share a house and wait to see who ends up getting the gold.

WANT TO WATCH?

>> Check out "La Academia" online at www.tvazteca.com or watch the show on Grande Communications' Channel 170 or on the Dish Network.