Brits with talent: Susan Boyle, meet Shaheen Jafargholi
- April 20, 2009 11:29 AM |
- By Arts Online
12-year old Welsh singer Shaheen Jafargholi is upstaging internet sensation Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. (ITV/Youtube)
Baby-faced Shaheen Jafargholi auditioned for Britain's Got Talent this past weekend. Though the pre-teen's back story and performance didn't have the same instantaneous impact as those of viral sensation Susan Boyle, some are suggesting that the preternaturally soulful 12-year-old may be the Scottish singer's chief competition in the televised talent contest.
After judge Simon Cowell ix-nayed Jafargholi's first song, a swingy little number called Valerie written by UK rock group the Zutons and later performed by Amy Winehouse, the kid came back with a heart-yanking Michael Jackson ballad.
What do you think? Is Shaheen Jafargholi just the latest so-called prodigy in a long line of flash-in-the-pan Star Search wannabes? Did you find his rendition of Michael Jackson's Who's Loving You as moving as Susan Boyle's I Dreamed A Dream?
--Sarah Liss
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Comments (8)
I think we're all being duped by the production of this show. Simon's theatrics were no doubt staged in order to add ratings to the show.
Nonetheless, this was a very good vocal performance
A great singer!
Joe from Vancouver, I couldn't agree more. Last weeks contrived show was enough for me but the lemmings at CBC, CNN and onward did all of Simon's publicity work for him nonetheless. Now he's doing it all over again. I wonder if the masses will buy this whole scenario as well.
Here's the formula. Sad story first. Kid lives with single mom and cat. Makes grandpa happy when he sings. Then the setup for the fall. Simon stops the show and has the kid change the song to one he JUST HAPPENS to have the instrumental to. Then the shocker. Kid amazes everyone. Ovation all around, someone get on the phone to the media.
Paul Potts, Susan Boyle and now this kid. What's up for next week, a 90 year old man shows up in leather and belts out Screaming for Vengeance by Judas Priest?
Good grief! How can there be a new Susan Boyle when she was only discovered last week? There is only so much internet "shock and awe" a person can stand!
Perhaps you people are a little too cynical? In this world of doom and gloom how wonderful to hear new talents that aren't groomed to look like the Britneys & Madonnas of this world. I for one look forward to hearing these 2 sing, not disappear into the wilderness like our Canadian Idols!
It's entirely possible that contestants on the show are asked to give a short list of songs they would like to sing. It would be more convenient for the producers that way, just in case they can't get the rights to broadcast the instrumental of a song. And it would give the performers the ability to change their minds about what they want to sing during actual show time. These people are probably getting booked on the show weeks ahead of time, and it can be pretty common for performers to change their minds about what material they would like to audition with, depending on how they feel about their voice at the time.
Or it's all a setup. Either way, Simon seems to know what makes good entertainment.
beautifuillllll (L)
omg, I LOVE SHAHEEN JAFARGHOLI SO SO SO MUCH!
i cant believe he didnt win BGT.
cant wait until next year, there will no doubt be an album out from him, and i'll be the first to buy lol.
(im no stalker btw, im only 13 lol.)