Aubrey Cleland Charms With Fergie’s ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ on ‘American Idol’

Aubrey Cleland graced the stage of ‘American Idol’ tonight (March 5) donning a winning smile and a stylish, dazzling ensemble. Her heartfelt delivery of Fergie’s ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ impressed the judges, further convincing them that she has what it takes to be a star. But does America feel the same way?

‘Idol’ judge Keith Urban greatly enjoyed watching her sing. He commented, “I wish it allowed you to soar more at the end” but that despite the song’s confining melody, her beautiful vibrato made it all worthwhile. Nicki Minaj praised her for her sweetness and humility. “You’re so beautiful but you don’t put that on at all, and it’s really, really sweet and endearing,” she said. Randy Jackson claimed that her voice gives him "a little bit of a Rihanna vibe.” He went on to say, “There’s something really current and really infectious about you.”

Although all of the panelists were charmed by her performance, the highest praise of all came from Mariah Carey. “You so obviously have multi-platinum potential and I hope that people out there see it, too,” she said.

What do you think? Does Cleland have what it takes to be the next ‘American Idol?’