Lin Yu-Chun’s uncanny and soul-stirring rendition of Whitney Houston’s version of Dolly Parton’s classic ballad “I Will Always Love You” got millions of views on YouTube, but even all those eyeballs won’t help the portly 24-year-old become Taiwan’s next Idol.
Yu-Chun was voted off Super Star Avenue, Taiwan’s version of American Idol on Sunday night. But don’t cry for Lin. The soft-spoken soprano, who discovered the joy of singing as an escape from bullying from his peers growing up, is now in talks for a record deal. And while he only speaks a little English, Lin’s excited about a possible move stateside sometime in the future.
Chun’s Cinderella story has been compared to that of another dowdy singer: Scot Susan Boyle, who shot to fame when she the world with her stirring version of “I Dreamed a Dream” on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.
Although she lost out on the Talent crown, Boyle’s performance got millions of hits on YouTube and the former “Cat Lady” eventually landed a recording contract that spawned a No. 1-selling album.