Jacee Badeaux, 15, Could Be Next American Idol (VIDEO)

Fifteen-year-old newcomer Jacee Badeaux shocked judges when he sang a stirring version of Redding's classic '(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay' on American Idol on Thursday night in New Orleans.

Badeaux, who is a sophomore in high school in Lafayette, LA, was sporting a Bieber-like haircut for the second episode of Idol's 10th Season. Jennifer Lopez, one of the show's three judges, added that on top of being "so cute," Badeaux also had a "really, really beautiful" voice.

Badeaux won Fox44's Baton Rouge Idol in July 2010, and if he hangs on to that voice, he might be destined for much bigger things.

WATCH: (via Buzzfeed)

Comments

[SteveDenver]

07:45 AM on 01/24/2011

Steven Tyler looks like Carly Simon… FREAKY

[Ladleman909]

11:15 PM on 01/23/2011

He seems like a nice kid, but come on. Why is wrong with this country and why has it sunk to this level? When I was young, my grandfather and I would sit and listen to complicated passage in a piece by Duke Ellington and discuss it. I used to lay on the floor and play classical records and Beatles records when I was nine years old. All you parents, go out and work harder. Don't spend any time with your kids or teach them anything. Let them go through their whole lives thinking that art is an overblown singing contest.

[Ladleman909]

11:19 PM on 01/23/2011

Oops, sorry for the grammar. I'm feelin' pretty good right now, if you catch my drift.

[Bumpier Shrimp]

08:10 AM on 01/24/2011

I disagree. I think that shows like this give people with real talent a chance to be recognized. It's art in itself when they find someone who has a truly amazing voice and gift. There's nothing wrong with that.

[seattlejohn449]

07:25 PM on 01/23/2011

the guy had a pleasant voice but not very much soul, considering he was covering mega-soul singer Otis Regging singing a melancholy classic about looking back on how tough his life has been...a major problem with lowering the eligibility age to 15...it was like he was singing the song phonetically in an unknown language without an emotional connection to the lyrics

[JTJMOMEDTEK]

12:16 AM on 01/24/2011

Usually when people sing they channel life experiences, he doens't have any yet... but he does have talent and I'd rather see someone like him get fame and fortune than some other Cyrus offspring.

[TheGigaShadow]

06:06 PM on 01/23/2011

That shlub the next American Idol? Not likely. If he lays of the doughnuts and maybe he'll have a shot.

[livingston1]

06:35 PM on 01/23/2011

There is no need for the hatefulness.

[Jean Mexiguera]

08:52 PM on 01/23/2011

I agree livingston...quit being a hater.

[TheGigaShadow]

11:53 PM on 01/25/2011

It's called accepting reality.

[anti politricks]

09:12 PM on 01/23/2011

to all 45 fans of gigashadow:
unfan this person and i fan you :)

[jwb2013]

10:05 PM on 01/23/2011

Unfan? I would, but I was never a fan to begin with...and I wouldn't be now. Does that count? (;oD

[TheGigaShadow]

11:53 PM on 01/25/2011

Get real bleeding heart.

[vandegrasse]

06:00 PM on 01/23/2011

He has a soulful tone to his voice and a sweet quality and is without pretense. I guess that's not good enough these days for a 15 year old boy. Sad.

[AgathaX]

05:38 PM on 01/23/2011

Gorgeous voice. He nailed ever note with ease and that was not an easy song. It was just really beautiful. I was tearing up. Then I came down to the comment section to read all the dismissive comments from blow-hards who've never performed anything in their lives, and who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket if their lives depended on it. Then I gave thanks that I don't know any of them, left my comment, and closed the window.

[Exactly702]

04:22 PM on 01/23/2011

Really? Thats it?

[Joey Jlo]

03:30 PM on 01/23/2011

meh. another justin bieber voice, alright but seriously? seriously no skill, and not at the level of album sales, c'mon.

[Fattonecat]

06:36 PM on 01/23/2011

Really ? I take it you're not a musician.

[DinSea]

03:02 PM on 01/23/2011

I watched him .. BFD ... nothing that great.Maybe he had some sort of charisma that didn't translate through the video.

[pcpc]

02:03 PM on 01/23/2011

She could be the next Jennifer Hudson.

[Lizard49]

01:36 PM on 01/23/2011

That song is amazing and he did it justice, beatufil voice! I am pulling for this kid, he may be the only reason I'll tune in this season.

[munki]

01:34 PM on 01/23/2011

Keep it up and don't lose your true charisma!

[ArtCarnage]

12:31 PM on 01/23/2011

Meh.

[thedave108]

12:21 PM on 01/23/2011

I agree with most posters...Good but nothing great or special....Not as lame as Steven Tyler selling out and being on the show, though........lost all respect for him and his music......

[Fattonecat]

06:38 PM on 01/23/2011

I suppose YOU wouldn't take that gig if offered. Maybe your screen name should be ... thelame108

[thedave108]

06:01 PM on 01/24/2011

Actually, I wouldn't - but Tyler has millions and millions more dollars than I and makes more just by having people buy his music on iTunes or wherever.....he's just another sellout for whatever reason... my name can be whatever you want it to be.....it has no bearing on anything, except your idea if someone doesn't agree with you, it's time to try and insult them, I guess.......Who's lame?

[unpaidpundit]

11:57 AM on 01/23/2011

This kid's voice is good, but I don't think it's in the same league as the voices of some of the better male singers who have been on Idol such as Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert. "American Idol" appears to want to find the next teen idol, like Justin Bieber. If they were really interested in great voices, Idol should raise it's age cap. Opera fans tell me that male singers peak in their late 20's and early 30's. I believe that "American Idol"'s age cap is 29.

[Fattonecat]

06:38 PM on 01/23/2011

Lambert's a screamer.