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Susan Boyle Eclipsed By 12-Year-Old Talent

Posted Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:41pm PDT by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Video Ga Ga

Britain's Got Talent hopeful Susan Boyle became an overnight sensation last week with her moving performance of "I Dream A Dream" from the Broadway musical Les Miserables. Her back story of being a 48-year-old plain Jane who had never been kissed and lives with her cat helped her rack up tens of millions of YouTube video plays in days.


But 12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi from Mount Pleasant, Swansea appears to have the goods to eclipse Boyle.

Jafargholi's performance Saturday night on the competition show has given the Internet yet another new buzz.

Initially, Jafargholi's fate did not look so promising when he began singing Amy Winehouse's "Valerie." Though his pure vocals were evident, judge Simon Cowell stopped him just seconds into the song to tell him that he was headed in the wrong direction and asked him what else he sang.

Instead of being crushed, the savvy preteen immediately responded with The Jackson 5's "Who's Loving You?" (Click image below to see him perform.)

From the first note of the track, Jafargholi won over Cowell, the other judges and audience.

Susan Boyle is incredible, but personality plays a big part on these shows. It is going to be tough for a humble, middle aged woman who is hesitant to get a makeover to pose stiff competition for a cute kid who is quick on his feet and able to tackle a Michael Jackson song.

While Jafargholi's skill is undeniable the Jackson song was not spontaneous or much of a risk for him. Last year, he toured the UK for six weeks performing Jackson music for an elaborate pop concert-style show Wales reports.

Additionally, he already has an impressive resume that includes attending The Mark Jermin Stage School in Swansea since the age of five, appearing in the BBC's Torchwood And Casualty and an ad for Comic Relief.

And if that is not enough competition for Susan Boyle, Jafargholi also offers humility to match.

When asked how he felt when Cowell interrupted his performance and asked him to sing a different song, Jafargholi said he was grateful. "I couldn't believe Simon Cowell had given me a second chance," Jarargholi told Wales. "He's basically God in the music industry."

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1132 Comments

41. D -
Awesome!

42. Kate -
He DOES NOT eclipse Susan Boyle in any way. His voice is not even in the same class of skill, and also he's still a kid so it will change, he might end up losing what skill he does have. He's just slightly above average and has been trained! and the comment about him being able to takle MJ, pshhhh Dont you remember Susan singing AT ALL? Simon paused right before and was like oh thats a big song even he could recognise that. And niether the judges or the audience were as impressed with the kid as they were with Susan. And for people that say susan is a plant, how could she be? She lived her life refraining from becoming famous just so that she could go on some show as a pointless plant? lol I dont think so.

43. XJ -
The Brit's have some very good performers this time around, which may be a challenge for any talent level to win.

44. Yahoo! Music User -
that was ~HOT~

45. caroline m -
Simon did not mess it up he saved him he totally would have not made it with "Valarie" he did 100% better with "who's loving you". It just goes to show you how smart those judges really are Simon totally knew he could do better just watch his face. He goes from really impressed when he announces what song he sings then like whoa whoa whoa you can do better.

46. terridennes -
that weird lady can really sing i was amazed when i heard it

47. AyobamiO -
i know simon mess it up but i love his voice

48. Emiliano V -
not susan is better

49. Yahoo! Music User -
Yah, the kid is cute. The thing with Simon an obvious publicity stunt. And, um, explain again why kid=good means boyle=bad? BGT's just a platform, not the grand prize. The fact this article's all about Boyle just proves that she's the one y'all think is gonna sell.

50. olderone -
Susan Boyle has real talent. She could do whatever was put to her. I am not impressed with a boy who sings Michael Jackson. He really botched his first song and I'd say that's more representative of his level of ability. I just hope they don't get all wrapped up in the "aw, he's so young and cute" thing.

51. Cutie Pie -
Simon did him a favor. That other song was crap.

But sorry, Susan Boyle has it all wrapped up. This kid has plenty of time to be Michael Jackson

52. Yahoo! Music User -
3rd simons got to loose it.

53. JOACHIM E -
l'enfant est formi formidable, c'est un rara avis interis, un tresor au pantheon de l'ART.

54. Jessica -
hahahahahaha!

55. Jessica -
hahahahahaha!

56. angelbunny_90 -
The little boy is downright adorable. However, why can't he and Ms. Boyle be great in their own right? Geesh, everything's a competition. Let's just hope that the boy's voice change wont mar his voice...

57. Yahoo! Music User -
no offense because he's good and all but his voice and story doesn't even compare to that of Susan Boyle. He's a cute kid with a good voice.... so what?

58. Brittany -
0_o *dies*

59. Angelo -
SIMON is a giant dick, yo.

60. Yahoo! Music User -
Amazing that in order to entertain, those in entertainment ASSUME the person needs to be plasitc. Susan has such an inner beauty and obvioulsy the team did not learn wht they projected after her song. I could listen to Susan all day..
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