"(MJ) Was Going to Pass the Torch to Me"

"Britain's Got Talent" Competitor Says He Was to be Michael Jackson's Duet Partner on London Tour -- and Protégé

(CBS)  Twelve-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi, of Wales, was apparently being groomed by Michael Jackson to be the next superstar.

Jafargholi, who was up against YouTube sensation Susan Boyle in the popular talent competition, "Britain's Got Talent," didn't win, but he was seen by millions - including Michael Jackson.

Jackson contacted Jafargholi, CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reported on "The Early Show" Wednesday, about performing together on his London tour.

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Complete coverage of Jackson's life and death

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Jafargholi told CBS News Jackson saw him on YouTube performing in the competition. Then, Jafargholi said, Jackson asked the young singer to join him in a duet every night on his comeback tour dates. Jafargholi said Jackson wanted him to sing "Heal the World."

"He was going to pass the torch to me," Jafargholi said, "And, you know, hand down to the next generation."

But it wasn't to be. Instead, Jafargholi sang the Jackson 5 song "Who's Lovin' You" alone at Jackson's memorial service Tuesday.

Jafargholi told the thousands gathered at Staples Center in Los Angeles he was grateful for the pop star.

"I just want to thank him so much for blessing me and every single individual on the earth with his amazing music."

[Sumjays]

Why do the people fail to understand that we know MJ was not convicted in his pedophile trial. but cmon people he paid someone 22 miilion dollars in an out of court settlement. any man that i know would pay every penny to their name to fight an accusation like that. so MJ tacitly admitted his guilt as far as I am concerned, not to mention he freely admitted to sleeping with little boys and still peiople are idoling him. the man was a musical genius no doubt but the pedophile thing overshadows any other aspects of his life. they should remove his star from the walk of fame. The man was truly a freak!

[stupidfolks]

Enough already. Instead of worrying about MJ read a good book, educate yourselves if you're not good at math, find a job if you're unemployed. I didn't watch the show-that's what it was - a show. I had better things to do. I have a life. Don't you guys have hobbies?

[sam-kiley]

bonjour,
sans aucun doute le jeune shaheen a beaucoup, de talent, mais il y en a d'autres avec autant de talent peut etre meme avec plus de talent, cela dit, il a beaucoup de chemin a faire pour arriver au sommet..au talent de michael jackson, car il ne suffit ps de se se faire passer un "flambeau" "torche" pour prétendre a telle ou telle ambition, seul l'avenir et les efforts qu'il fera nous le diront, bon courage jeune homme au revoir

[jodyrae4]

Hope his dreams come true...

[excoachken]

"Is that a torch in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

[nirak2-2009]

Dream on little boy

[ampsanne]

Oh boy! Will they be popping out of the wood now. Wonder how many others will claim that Michael was training them to be his protege. This kid may be good, but I wonder how many others out there could outshine him. I'm not a M. J. fan, but don't think anyone will ever take his place.

[connita2]

Hope this boy finds another good man like Barry Gordy and be as great as he can be...

[Cas2dy]

He has an amazing voice. For those who only heard him during the memorial, you need to visit the YouTube video. He was nervous at the memrial, and justly so. Not only was his first true job in front of the whole world, but can you imagine doing what he was doing with MJ's casket right there too? Give the kid a chance...as for passing the torch, well, I admit that this manchild is fantastic, but there never has been and never will be another who can do what MJ did. R.I.P. Michael Jackson.

[harrymmm]

Lay off the Kid he is 12!!!! and has some outstanding vocals good luck to him

[rmcturnan]

There is only one Michael Jackson. No one will ever be able to do what he did. This second-stringer will never be able to live up to the legend.
This kid has talent but Jackson was destined to be a a legend and was a legend. No one will ever be able to compare themselves to him.

[mom14527]

I thought this young man has remarkable talent and even Barry Gordy said, "If I was still ing the business I would sign him on." When I learned that he wa going on tour with Michael, I wondered and said to my daughter, "I wonder if he was going to work with him on his music?" As far as the comment from toldyouso29, give it a rest!!! Michael was never convicted of any wrong doing, and as hard as that is for some people to believe, Michael was found NOT GUILTY in a court of law. Can we please just remember Michael for his talent, good deeds, as an entertainer, friend, son, brother, and most importantly a FATHER!
This is just something Michael would do help out another upcoming singer! That is just the way he was; kind, considerate, loving, giving. He never had a childhood and he was tormented throughout his life, was put through the wringer with the trial and even though found not guilty it took a devestating tole on him that I do not believe he ever recovered from.
He has passed on, leaving three beauitful children (because of their father) without a father. Our thoughts should be with them and pray they do not have to endure what their father did during their life time.
To u-r-right, what is up with " a little too portly and white". See this is exactly what I am saying Michael saw past all that! He was not critical of others! what about the lyrics to his song; "It doesn't matter if you are black or white"!
To Shaheen, I know Michael will always be in your heart because of the relationship you hadwith him as a mentor. Don't listen to what others say. Follow your heart and soul and move on to the next level as Michael knew you could!

[kerry4ever]

This kid is as fake as a two dollar note. On BGT he started off singing Amy Winehouse's Valerie. Simon stopped him and he mentioned that he just happened to have a Michael Jackson song ready to go, and all this after he had been appearing as an impersonater of Michael in a West End show. Of course he then sang the Michael track and everybody looked surprised - except the millions of British people who know a fraud when they smell it.

[u-r-right]

I saw this kid perform. He is no comparison to Michael at his age. This kid doesn't even dance and is a bit too portly and...white.

[toldyouso29]

Oh, puhleese. If Michael contacted this little boy--maybe he was interested in passing a torch of a different kind. What Michael had in terms of talent are not something to be 'handed over' to another person. Like Micheal earned and worked to create and perform his moves and songs--so must this little guy and every other entertainer. Michael Jackson, like Ronald Isley, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross (among others) are singular talents. If you don't have the 'voice' and the moves or can create new ones that transcend what the public has already seen--there is NOTHING to be passed down.

[stupidfolks]

Right! It's not like he cured cancer. Genius? He moon walked-sliding across the stage is not ingenious. $.0 average from grade school to graduate dental school is genius. The pancreas transplant for type I diabetics is genius. Playing more than one instrument is genius! Reading and writing music like Al Jeauru is ingenious.