Australian singer wows American Idol fans, judges

Australian singer Michael Johns is one step closer to being crowned the next American Idol after securing a place in the final 12.

Perth-born Johns, 29, has wowed audiences and judges alike week after week with his soulful voice and charisma.

His rendition of the Simple Minds song Don't You (Forget About Me) earned rave reviews from judges Randy Jackson, Paul Abdul and Simon Cowell.

"You remind me of Michael Hutchence. You've got that big old range, that big old voice," Jackson said.

Cowell, known as the nasty judge, said: "I really, really like you and I think you're going to do very, very well in this competition."

American Idol is the most popular TV show in the US and has launched the international careers of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry. It screens on pay TV channel Fox8 in Australia.

Johns was born and raised in Perth and moved to the US in 1998 to attend college on a tennis scholarship.

continue...

Comments