Louisiana's Best 'American Idol' Hope

Source: The Advertiser - Lafayette



Hailing from Westlake, Joshua Ledet has wowed judges and crowds with his performances during the 2012 season of the Fox show.

Judge Jennifer Lopez has called Ledet's performances "the best ever." He's been compared to the soul legend Sam Cooke.

He blew up the Twittersphere, if only for a few seconds, after pulling off a perfect moonwalk.

And he can't believe any of this is happening.

"I auditioned for 'Idol' when I was 16, and again last year," Ledet said in a telephone interview with The Daily Advertiser. "I got eliminated both times, but I always knew in my heart I would be back one day."

Making it this year was a relief, Ledet said. At first, he was worried and didn't know how he would do under pressure. He's taking it all one day at a time, he said.

At the same time, he didn't fathom he would make it this far.

"Making it to the top 24 was enough for me," he said. "When I made it to the top 13, that was way enough. Making it to the top eight "» it is ridiculous. I can't believe this is happening."

Tonight, Ledet and seven other competitors sing it out for a chance to be the next "American Idol." The show starts at

7 p.m.

Last week, he garnered praise for an emotional performance of Mariah Carey's "Without You." At the tail-end of the performance, Ledet choked up, trying to hold back tears.

"I wasn't thinking about too much of nothing," Ledet said. "I was just missing home and my family. It was just a personal moment."

Carey saw the performance and took to Twitter, saying she was "honored" to have Ledet perform the song. Responses like Carey's continue to

surprise Ledet.

"Getting these tweets from these artists, it's amazing," Ledet said. "I still can't believe getting that one from Mariah Carey. I grew up watching her and listening to her."

Ledet took time out from rehearsing and picking out his next costume for tonight's performance for an interview, and, despite the hectic pace of "Idol" and everything that comes with the show, he said he's not tired or overwhelmed. And certainly, he wouldn't trade the experience, no matter how the finale plays out, for

anything in the world.

He does miss Louisiana, though.

"I miss the people there, my friends and family, the simple life," he said, before mentioning how Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne sending food has helped.

"That keeps me going. It pushes me, knowing that people are supporting me and sending me some of home." Dardenne has made headlines in recent days as he keeps Ledet stocked up on favorites from home, including 60 pounds of Lafayette-based crawfish.