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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

101. CCY -
agreed

102. Yahoo! Music User -
that kid is an illegal immigrant.

103. Pam -
Could it have been staged? How did they happen to have a copy of the the MJ song waiting to be played? hmmmm The boy was very talented but I will listen to his audition once while I listened to Susan Boyles about 5 times.

104. Audrey -
I can sing way better they are like whimps compared to me'

105. Greennoodle -
PIE is good!!

106. Braennvin2 -
Maybe this boy and Susan Boyle should tour the world as a duo.

107. D -
Watch Susan Boyle vs this little kid perform on
defSpot com

Now that is something to see

108. James J -
Susan Boyle must sing for the Queen. There can be no other outcome.

109. Brooke -
OMG Bye I am sleepy

110. Jen -
Yeah, no - the boy's performance hardly eclipsed that Boyle woman's last week.

While hers held some raw emotion in pitch and delivery, his was stale by comparison. He just sounded like every other wannabe boy band member - simply generic.

111. Yahoo! Music User -
SUSAN IS THE SUN AND HE IS A WORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A WORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

112. anon -
He's pretty good and has a wonderful chance at success (win or lose). But I'm really pulling for Susan. She poured out her soul.

113. Yahoo! Music User -
WOW! I'm impressed!

114. Shamia -
what.......

115. philbert -
oh shut up u guys just hatin.

116. carolyn -
There was nothing that has moved me like Susan Boyle's performace - she was awesome - the Kid is good to - but not the passion Susan had and the gooses bumps.

117. Yahoo! Music User -
I love these kinds of shows!! :D The people on here
r amazing!!! :D

118. Yahoo! Music User -
I was impressed with this kid, but I didn't feel like watching his act a second time. On the other hand I have watched Susan Boyle's and the father and son dance act numerous times and still can't get enough.

119. fed -
i ate pizza today.

120. AsDfGhJ -
i also hope that you people realize that he's only 12...he hasn't gone through puberty yet. he's good, but how long will he stay good until his voice crack? o.O
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