A Pingtan native is one of 20 final contestants in Happy Boys, a popular talent show hosted by Hunan Television station on Friday.

Ouhao, 21, with his distinctive rapping style and charming look, beat Xiao Lizhi of Guangdong province head-to-head after winning three votes from the four big-name judges.

Ouhao rehearses for the show every day from 6 or 7 am to midnight, said Chen Meizhu, Ou's mother, who remained in Pingtan and could only talk to her son by phone.

Ouhao ran a desert store in partnership with his friends after graduating from an art school in Guangzhou in 2011. He chose to participate in the talent show to pursue his musical dreams.

"I am so excited to see him on TV. I'm proud of my son," said Chen.

Ouhao is competing for a final 10-person berth in the next stage, which starts July 19.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Micheal Thai