A friend sent me an e-mail with a link to a YouTube video telling me it was worth watching.

He was right.

What I saw was a Mr. Everyman named Paul Potts auditioning before American Idol’s Simon Cowell and two other judges for a new European reality show, Britain’s Got Talent.

Clearly, Paul, a paunchy, insecure 36-year-old cellphone salesman with bad teeth and a cheap suit, did not look like he had talent. When he announced his dream was to be an opera singer, you could see the skepticism, perhaps even sarcasm, on the judges’ faces.

Within 30 seconds, however, everyone’s preconceptions (including mine) were shattered by a powerful Pavarotti-like performance that literally brought the audience to tears and to its feet.

The performance was very good, maybe even superb, but I don’t know enough about opera to be sure. What I do know is the experience was deeply moving.

I watched the video four times and cried each time because it was inspirational to see and feel an underestimated underdog transform an audience, which was ready to mock his misplaced ambitions, into a crowd of enthusiastic well-wishers.

Even the judge’s “You must be kidding” attitude melted away as everyone rooted for Paul and felt uplifted realizing how much beauty can be hidden in such a humble package.

Paul went on to win the grand prize, including a recording contract and more than enough money to fix his teeth and get a new suit. His real gift, though, was not only his voice but his reminder of how wrong it is to judge a person by his or her looks.

I urge you to go to YouTube and experience it yourself.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.