Season 9 contestant Andrew Garcia should take home American Idol’s top prize because he has it all — unique looks, a super emotional story, charm and, most importantly, mad talent.

Andrew Garcia, the laid back, hat wearing, Buddy Holly glasses-sporting Southern California native, had me at hello this season on American Idol. My obsession started after hearing Andrew’s heart-wrenching tale before his actual audition — his parents were former gang-bangers and now, at 24-years-old, the Idol hopeful wants a better life than he had for his toddler son.

My love continued to grow as soon as he opened his mouth and started crooning Maroon 5′s ‘Sunday Morning.’

I always get stressed out for my favorites during Hollywood week, since that’s typically when things fall apart. Andrew, however, totally killed it, cool as a cucumber, and managed to wow judges Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson with a cover of recently departed judge Paula Abdul’s ‘Straight Up,’ while his fellow contestants were failing auditions faster than me losing focus with a diet.

I was craving more of Andrew’s soulful crooning, and managed to dig up this video of Andrew jamming with his guitar to Michael Jackson hits pre-Idol…and let me tell you — you will not be disappointed.

Shot with a Web cam in a darkly lit house, Andrew collaborated with his friend, singer Cathy Nguyen, to make this MJ Tribute, where he sings and strums along on the guitar to hits like ‘Man in the Mirror,’ ‘I Want You Back,’ ‘ABC’ and ‘I’ll Be There.’

After watching Andrew’s pitch-perfect medley, try telling me you don’t think this kid isn’t the clear Idol front-runner. And if you don’t believe me, well, check out the odds. The SBC Global Sportsbook has also favored Andrew, with odds of 9:2, to become season nine’s American Idol.

My official analysis? This is guy is a genius.