Australia's Michael Johns has taken another step toward music superstardom with an impressive performance in front of more than 30 million American TV viewers.

Johns, formerly of Perth, has emerged as one of the favourites to win this year's American Idol crown and has been compared to the late INXS lead singer, Michael Hutchence.

Last week the 29-year-old made it into the final 24 contestants after auditions across the US with tens of thousands of hopefuls and on Tuesday night he sang The Doors classic, Light My Fire, in front of a live crowd in Hollywood.

His performance scored the best reviews of the night from the reality TV show's three judges, sharp-tongued British hit-maker Simon Cowell, former pop star Paula Abdul and US music producer Randy Jackson.

"You have the natural charisma of a lead singer," Cowell, who uncharacteristically could not find a negative word to say about the Australian, told Johns.

"You have just got it."

Jackson paid Johns what could be the ultimate compliment.

"You are like a Michael Hutchence," Jackson said.

American Idol is easily the most watched TV program in the US and has launched the international chart-topping careers of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry.

What could work against Johns is his Australian accent and he went to great pains to plead with the American TV audience not to hold his Australian background against him.

The American public votes each week for their favourite singers, with the contestants scoring the lowest votes booted off the show.

"I hope you judge me on my voice and my passion and not about whether I can say G'Day," Johns told the audience.

Johns has lived in the US for 10 years and resides in the southern US state of Georgia.

http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=461346

I love that part! So cute.

i wonder how crazy it is in australia right now for him and i wonder if american idol is even being aired there

Doesn't Australia have their own Idol? I could be wrong, but I think they do. So does that mean that they don't show American Idol there?

I hope he's getting some home support! I would be excited if it was someone I knew on Idol.

yeah they have australian idol...i don't know when it airs there though

lol, i thought that was super cute too.

"I hope you judge me on my voice and my passion and not about whether I can say G'Day,"

I love that line too! Isn't he just amazing!?