Lucas: Bluffton teen and 'American Idol' hopeful Lee Jean makes appearance on show

Lee Jean fans finally got what they had been waiting for.

The Bluffton teen and "American Idol" hopeful was spotted on the show's Hollywood Week, which kicked off Wednesday night.

Wearing a red knit hat and matching flannel shirt, Jean could be seen singing a few bars right before his group was lined up in a sudden-death-like audition line of elimination.

Several weeks ago, Jean, 16, appeared before celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. on what is the final season of the show and was awarded the golden ticket to Hollywood.

But since then, fans have had to wait. And wait. Hundreds of other "Idol" hopefuls -- all with stars in their eyes -- have made their way before the celebrity trio for round after round of auditions.

But Wednesday night, Jean was back again. And, after a long suspenseful moment in which young Jean waited in line along with about a dozen others, Connick announced that "the people in the back row ... are going through," and just like that, Jean was on his way again.

After the doors sprung open, Jean's group emerged triumphant.

"I don't know what to say right now," the Bluffton High School junior said in a quiet voice.

So what will happen next?

Hollywood Week continues through next Wednesday and will culminate in a showcase round with the top 24 semi-finalists revealed on Feb. 4. The show is scheduled to run through April 7.

Follow reporter Mindy Lucas at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.

Related content:

• Lucas: Bluffton 'Idol' contestant planning to be himself as he gets ready to go to Hollywood, Jan. 8, 2016

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Lucas: Bluffton teen and 'American Idol' hopeful Lee Jean makes appearance on show."