Last week, everybody on both sides of the Atlantic was buzzing about 'Britain's Got Talent' hopeful Susan Boyle, a frumpy cat lady who claimed to have never been kissed. The Scottish singer defied the audience's and judges' expectations by blowing the roof off the place with a gorgeous rendition of 'I Dreamed a Dream.' Since then, tens of millions of people have watched her performance on YouTube, she's been on 'Larry King Live' and 'The Early Show and there's even been talk of a movie deal.
But Boyle hasn't won yet, as judge Simon Cowell noted, and now she's got some stiff competition in the form of 12-year-old Welsh boy Shaheen Jafargholi. He even got a standing ovation from Simon after a jaw-dropping performance of Michael Jackson's 'Who's Loving You.'
So, who's better? Watch the auditions videos, then decide yourself.
Susan Boyle Photos
GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: A young boy watches Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle on You Tube on April 21, 2009 in Glasgow, Scotland. Ms Boyle has become a worldwide sensation after her singing talents stunned judges on the TV show Britain's Got Talent. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
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GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: A young boy watches Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle on You Tube on April 21, 2009 in Glasgow, Scotland. Ms Boyle has become a worldwide sensation after her singing talents stunned judges on the TV show Britain's Got Talent. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Getty Images
BLACKBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Susan Boyle returns to her home in Blackburn, West Lothian on April 21, 2009 in Blackburn, Scotland. The 47-year-old has become a worldwide phenomenon after her rendition of the Les Miserables song 'I Dreamed a Dream' on the UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent'. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Susan Boyle
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BLACKBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Susan Boyle returns to her home in Blackburn, West Lothian on April 21, 2009 in Blackburn, Scotland. The 47-year-old has become a worldwide phenomenon after her rendition of the Les Miserables song 'I Dreamed a Dream' on the UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent'. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Susan Boyle
Getty Images
BLACKBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Susan Boyle returns to her home in Blackburn, West Lothian on April 21, 2009 in Blackburn, Scotland. The 47-year-old has become a worldwide phenomenon after her rendition of the Les Miserables song 'I Dreamed a Dream' on the UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent'. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Susan Boyle
Getty Images
BLACKBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Susan Boyle returns to her home in Blackburn, West Lothian on April 21, 2009 in Blackburn, Scotland. The 47-year-old has become a worldwide phenomenon after her rendition of the Les Miserables song 'I Dreamed a Dream' on the UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent'. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Susan Boyle
Getty Images
BLACKBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Susan Boyle returns to her home in Blackburn, West Lothian on April 21, 2009 in Blackburn, Scotland. The 47-year-old has become a worldwide phenomenon after her rendition of the Les Miserables song 'I Dreamed a Dream' on the UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent'. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Susan Boyle
Getty Images
BLACKBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Susan Boyle returns to her home in Blackburn, West Lothian on April 21, 2009 in Blackburn, Scotland. The 47-year-old has become a worldwide phenomenon after her rendition of the Les Miserables song 'I Dreamed a Dream' on the UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent'. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Susan Boyle
Getty Images
"Britain's Got Talent" contestant Susan Boyle waves as she returns to her home in Blackburn in West Lothian, Scotland April 21, 2009. A middle aged Scottish spinster with untamed hair and a plain-spoken manner has captivated millions of music lovers and confounded celebrity watchers with her rise to fame after appearing on a British TV talent show. REUTERS/David Moir (BRITAIN ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)
Reuters
"Britain's Got Talent" contestant Susan Boyle waves as she returns to her home in Blackburn in West Lothian, Scotland April 21, 2009. A middle aged Scottish spinster with untamed hair and a plain-spoken manner has captivated millions of music lovers and confounded celebrity watchers with her rise to fame after appearing on a British TV talent show. REUTERS/David Moir (BRITAIN ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)
Reuters
Reader Comments (123)
carrie at 6:36PM on Apr 20th 2009
Susan has a much more cultured and developed voice, the little fellow shouts and desn't hve the finer points of singing.... yet.
rpattersn at 5:52PM on Apr 20th 2009
No contest !! Boyle has a voice for the ages. The kid's good but there's no comparison.
Bear at 5:58PM on Apr 20th 2009
He is precious!!!
Richard at 5:55PM on Apr 20th 2009
No contest. The young man no doubt has talent, but it was clear, sweet, enunciated MUSIC versus yelling, screetching for all intents and purposes. Get him some MUSIC and he may well be great eventually.
Audrey, CA at 6:01PM on Apr 20th 2009
I'm not a fan of Michael Jackson's and I don't care for the new "screamy" type of singing BUT.....Jaheen is incredible and I haven't seen dimples that cute since Shirley Tample! I only wish that he would also sing some nice romantic balads, I'm so sick of Screaming singers.
thinkaboutit at 6:03PM on Apr 20th 2009
The kid is a kid and doesn't know what he's singing about. Like we all did when we were kids, we hummed songs about stuff we were clueless about....It's not just technique, it is selling us on the story. Sorry, kid, you have the sound, but less could be more.
Susan Boyle made me believe she had a dream, in spite of the harshness of Life, and that's why it was so powerful. Perfect song for her, perfectly delivered.
Audrey, CA at 6:06PM on Apr 20th 2009
I loved listening to Susan Boyle,her voice is
absolutely incredible, BUT...will someone PLEASE
get her a nice complete makeover???!!!! Start with the eyebrows, OK? And do something nice with that horrible hair of hers and maybe a few nice stylish outfis would be great.
Ising4joy316 at 6:11PM on Apr 20th 2009
Susan Is great, the kid is also, but he has a lot more time...Susan is better. And I love a Cinderella story, we all need one about now.
K at 6:11PM on Apr 20th 2009
The kid is way better. Susan is a great STORY, her voice quite beautiful as well, but did not show the range as the boy. I love her, but she actually hit a few low notes that weren't that great.
Harley at 6:21PM on Apr 20th 2009
The kid is cute but it's SUSAN BOYLE hands down the winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!