Jasmine Trias continues to parlay her "American Idol" stint (she was No. 3 in the Fox-TV show's third season) into bigger and better things. She's the first "Idol" finalist to perform in a Las Vegas engagement, and she's to be an "Idol" commentator for MTV in March.

Since mid-February, Trias, now 20, has been performing with the Society of Seven in matinee shows at Vegas' Flamingo hotel. Her guest engagement ends March 18, but she'll probably sing with the band when it plays Hawai'i this summer.

"I love it. I was intimidated at first, never believing I could do a show, and the whole concept was overwhelming," she said by phone.

She had big shoes to fill. SOS regular Lani Misalucha, known for her impersonations of divas such as Celine Dion and Tina Turner, is on hiatus to promote a solo CD in her native Philippines.

With SOS founder-leader Tony Ruivivar as a mentor, Trias was convinced that she could step into a showroom spotlight.

"At the beginning, I kept saying, 'I don't think I can do it,' " said Trias.

"I told her she can," Ruivivar said. "I worked with her on movement, breathing, hand gestures. She hit 'em on the head. For someone so young, she had poise. She had it in her, but she didn't know it."

Ruivivar also ramped up her repertoire with songs by Shakira and Janet Jackson, show tunes and impersonations of Britney Spears and Tina Turner.

"Tony got me doing songs I thought I'd never do, even some impressions," she said. "I'm now proud of myself."

"I wrote some material for her and she learned the rap, word for word, with exactly the effect I wanted," he said.

Ruivivar has a knack for hand-picking material that suits a showroom crowd. After all, he staged a popular attraction at the Outrigger Waikiki's main showroom for three decades, moving to the gambling capital while leaving the home base to a spinoff act, named the Society of Seven Las Vegas, since the latter group originally was conceived to play the Vegas circuit.

"I told her we (the SOS) do 'God Bless the U.S.A.' with three big key changes, and she learned them. I think Celine Dion only does two," said Ruivivar.

One of her powerhouse tunes has become "I'd Give My Life for You," the tear-jerker from "Miss Saigon."

Ruivivar further challenged Trias to adopt "And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)," the show-stopping "Dreamgirls" anthem that helped same-year "Idol" finalist Jennifer Hudson earn the Oscar for supporting actress this year.

"I saw the film. I was inspired, so moved by Jennifer," said Trias. "When Tony suggested (the song), I said, 'No way,' thinking Jennifer had her name written all over it. But now, it's one of my biggest numbers; the song just put me in a new frame of mind. The notes just came."

After Vegas, Trias is expected to sign on as a commentator for MTV News, stepping up coverage of "Idol."

Then she's off to the Philippines for a movie.

"And we're still trying to lock down a label, with the right deal, right producers, for our second album," Trias said.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.