David Archuleta

America's top-rated TV show, "American Idol," highlights plenty of Latino talent this season with David Hernandez of Arizona and Danny Noriega of California at the forefront. But it's David Archuleta, with his mature-beyond-his-years singing and heart-warming modesty that has "Idol" judges swooning and Entertainment Weekly proclaiming his victory as "inevitable."

A sweet 17-year-old with Honduran roots, Archuleta is no stranger to competition. At 12 years old, he appeared on "Idol" precursor "Star Search," delighting both the audience and judges with a spirited rendition of Alicia Keys' "Fallin." (A year before that, he wowed Kelly Clarkson during an impromptu performance.) A devout Mormon who prays before each performance, Archuleta cites gospel music, Michael Jackson, John Mayer and Natalie Cole as his primary influences.

Having already recovered from a career-threatening vocal cord paralysis, Archuleta's future now depends on his ability to win over the three celebrity judges on "American Idol." Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson appear to have his back and even Simon Cowell, the sour-faced resident hater – and creator – of "American Idol," has admitted: "When you've got it, you've got it."