Who Is Aaron Kelly?

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Hailing from Sonestown, Pa., 16-year-old Aaron Kelly is one of the youngest and "nicest" contestants to make it to the top 24 on season nine of "American Idol."

The Philadelphia Inquirer describes the country crooner as "babyfaced" and "shy", but says he "sang with enough confidence and style to survive the cut."

It was his rendition of Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" that won the judges over on the final night of auditions.

When the four judges, Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi told the hopeful that he had made the cut, they said he was a "nice guy and it shows."

And now that he made the cut into the semi-finals with the judges' votes, People.com predicts that he could be a hit among female fans like former "Idol" teen heart-throbs season five's Kevin Covias, also 16, and season seven's David Archuleta, 17, when it comes time for the audience to voice their opinions.

Kelly said that if he won, he hoped he could "even be a role model someday," reports People.com.

In an interview with " American Idol ", Kelly credited his southern hospitality ideals and his close relationship with his mother for his success.

"My Mom is definitely the most excited," said the teenager. "She has supported me my whole life with my music."

While he is still finishing high school, the confident and self-proclaimed "humble" singer said he isn't really giving up anything to compete on the TV show.

"I'm actually cyber-school, which is on the computer, so it's at home," said Kelly. "So I'm working so far ahead that I'll probably be finished pretty soon."

Like most teens, the competitor has hobbies like playing soccer and photography, but he says music is his true passion.

"This is what I wanted my whole life," he admits, laughing a little. "Well short, cause I'm still young yet. I wanted to be in the music industry, I love it a lot."

"American Idol" Season Nine Contestant Profiles:

Didi Benami | Lacey Brown | Crystal Bowersox | Michelle Delamor | Lee DeWyze | Katelyn Epperly | Andrew Garcia | Tyler Grady | Todrick Hall | Casey James | Aaron Kelly | Alex Lambert | Michael Lynche | Siobhan Magnus | Paige Miles | Jose Munoz | John Park | Ashley Rodriguez | Lilly Scott | Jermaine Sellers | Katie Stevens | Tim Urban | Haeley Vaughn | Janell Wheeler