The Insider.com

As many were just starting to come down with Bieber fever in 2011, screaming girls across the globe discovered another floppy haired wonder, Austin Mahone, and this talented teen is on a mission to prove he's got what it takes to be the next internet sensation-turned-superstar.

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Thanks to the interwebs, Austin struck a chord with the fairer sex via YouTube, not unlike the Biebs, wowing young girls with his mom-friendly brand of pop music and catchy covers. Now 16, the San Antonio, Texas native is showing he's got some real staying power, as evidenced by a growing number of his die-hard fans, aka his "Mahomies."

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We sat down with Mahone, who is currently promoting his newest single Say Somethin', to get the lowdown on his rise to fame and the ever-present Bieber comparisons.

Rather than reject being likened to his clean-cut counterpart, the 16-year-old embraces it, telling TheInsider.com the Canadian superstar is, in fact, one of his idols.

"We both started from YouTube, started in small towns… single moms," Austin explains. "He's definitely one of my inspirations and he's so successful. I hope that I will be successful as him someday."

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Interestingly enough, Austin tells us he only just met Justin last Friday, calling the experience one for the record books.

"It was so awesome," he says of the impromptu encounter within an elevator at the Z-100 radio station in New York City. "He's such a nice guy … it was just a good time."

Watch the video above for more! And, if you haven't already, get yourself acquainted with Austin's newest single, Say Something', available now on iTunes.