Bluffton teen advances on 'American Idol'

Bluffton teen Lee Jean was looking for his yellow ticket to Hollywood on Wednesday night, and he got it.

The 16-year-old appeared on the premiere of the 15th and final season of “American Idol” on Fox, where he performed for judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. Despite being criticized for his singing by Connick, Jean will head to Hollywood for the next round of competition.

The Bluffton High School sophomore was one of three Bluffton teens who auditioned for the massively popular show in July at open auditions in Savannah. Jean was joined by Grayson Lentz, a senior at Hilton Head Christian Academy, and Ben Hughey, also a sophomore at Bluffton High.

Lentz and Hughey themselves impressed in Savannah. The two, who are part of the band, Native, each received invites to the "celebrity round" in Atlanta.

As for Jean, another "yes" vote in Hollywood from the aforementioned superstar judges would put him into the round of 24 on what is American Idol's 15th and final season.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 10:42 AM with the headline "Bluffton teen advances on 'American Idol'."