| Revision as of 23:14, 26 April 2009 view sourceEscape Orbit (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers74,175 edits →News media: cite says nothing about 'long'← Previous edit | Revision as of 23:56, 26 April 2009 view source 75.38.120.90 (talk) ←Replaced content with 'She is the prettiest women ever!'Tag: blankingNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| She is the prettiest women ever! | |||
| <!--NOTE: | |||
| THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN IN BRITISH ENGLISH. PLEASE KEEP THIS CONSISTENT, AND DO NOT "CORRECT" BRITISH SPELLINGS TO THEIR NORTH AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS. | |||
| --> | |||
| {{Infobox Musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians --> | |||
| | Name = Susan Boyle | |||
| | Img = Susan Boyle.jpg | |||
| | Img_capt = ''Susan Boyle'' | |||
| | Img_size = 200x300 | |||
| | Landscape = | |||
| | Background = solo_singer | |||
| | Birth_name = Susan Boyle | |||
| | Born = {{birth date and age|1961<!-- date is contested see talk -->|4|1|df=y}} | |||
| | Origin = ], ], ]<ref name="Harris"/> | |||
| | Instrument = ] | |||
| | Voice_type = <!--Do not add without a reliable source--> | |||
| | Genre = <!--Do not add without a reliable source--> | |||
| | Occupation = Unemployed, singer | |||
| | Years_active = ], ]–present | |||
| | Label = | |||
| | Associated_acts = '']'' | |||
| | URL = | |||
| | Religion = Roman Catholic | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Susan Boyle''' (born 1 April, 1961)<ref>Scottish genealogist Caroline Gerard found her official birth entry at New Register House in Edinburgh </ref><ref>Boyle "just turned 48". "Suddenly Susan!", ], May 4, 2009, p. 52. As is common with magazines, the issue was published about 10 days before its cover date, implying that her birth date was sometime in April 1961.</ref><ref name="ABC"/> is a <!-- 'Scottish' References support it -->]<!-- 'Scottish' References support it --><ref name="Holmwood"/> singer and church volunteer who came to public attention on 11 April 2009,<ref name="MarkSmith">{{cite news |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/features/display.var.2501284.0.Whats_the_story_with_Susan_Boyle.php|title=What's the story with ... Susan Boyle?|work=The Herald|first=Mark|last=Smith|date=2009-04-11|accessdate=2009-04-15}}</ref> when she appeared as a contestant on the ] of '']''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7999727.stm |title=Talent show singer is online hit |work=BBC News |date=2009-04-15 |accessdate=2009-04-15}}</ref> Boyle found fame when she sang "]" from '']'' in the competition's first round.<ref name="washington1">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/15/AR2009041502577_2.html |title=The Scot Heard Round the World |work=The Washington Post |first=Mary |last=Jordan |page=A-8 |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> | |||
| Before she sang, both the audience and the judges appeared to express scepticism based on her unpolished appearance.<!-- 'scepticism' article is written in British English --> In contrast, her vocal performance was so well received that she has been dubbed "The Woman Who Shut Up ]."<ref name="ABC">{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=7332570&page=1 |title=The Woman Who Shut Up Simon Cowell |work=ABC News |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref> She received a ] from the live audience, garnering yes-votes from Cowell and ], and the "biggest yes I have ever given anybody" from ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1107946_dreaming_the_dream |title=Dreaming The Dream |work=Manchester Evening News|first=Ian|last=Wylie|date=2009-04-11 |accessdate=2009-04-23}}</ref> The audition was recorded in January 2009 at the ] in ], Scotland,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=7ea5b582-4361-49a9-9eb9-ea2c1e8193c5 |title='Fox news, Simon Cowell interview' |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> and was first broadcast on Saturday, 11 April 2009 in Britain. | |||
| The juxtaposition of the reception to her voice with the audience's first impression of her triggered global interest. Articles about her appeared in newspapers all over the world, while the numbers who watched videos of her audition set an online record.<ref name="washington2">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/19/AR2009041900508_pf.html|title=Scottish Singer's Audition Video Sets Online Record|date=19 April 2009|accessdate=2009-04-19|work=The Washington Post}}</ref> By 20 April 2009, a mere 9 days after her televised debut, ] of her audition, subsequent interviews of her, and her 1999 rendition of "]" had been viewed over 100 million times on the Internet.<ref name="Dobuzinskis"/> Cowell is reported to be setting up a contract with Boyle with his ] company label, a subsidiary of ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30226936 |title='Never Been Kissed' Singer, 47, Wows Cowell |work=MSNBC News |date=2009-04-15 |accessdate=2009-04-15}}</ref>. Boyle's brother, Gerard Boyle, was quoted in ] as saying that his sister is "too big" for the show, and that there is "a public appetite for a single but no product to buy."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/78324/talent|title=Susan Boyle Wants Out Of Britain`s Got Talent|accessdate=2009-04-26|date=2009-04-26|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| ==Biography== | |||
| ===Personal life=== | |||
| Boyle was born in ], ]<ref name=Harris>Harris, Gillian. , ''The Sunday Times'', 19 April 2009.</ref> to Patrick Boyle, a storeman at the ] factory in ], and Bridget Boyle, a ] typist;<ref name=STprofile>, ''The Sunday Times'', April 19, 2009.</ref> her parents were ] immigrants.<ref name="Irish">{{cite web|title=Irish photographs show Susan Boyle at family home in Donegal| url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Susan-Boyle-Irish-photographs-43287937.html|publisher=IrishCentral|date=2009-04-20|accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref> The youngest in a family of four brothers and six<!-- 'six' Five plus herself see times ref. --> sisters, of whom only six survive,<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6121279.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2</ref> Boyle was born when her mother was 47.<ref name="Shewholaughslast"/><ref name="KissClaim">{{cite web|title=Susan Boyle 'has been kissed', neighbour claims| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5175341/Susan-Boyle-has-been-kissed-neighbour-claims.html|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|date=2009-04-18|accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref><ref>"Suddenly Susan!", ''People'', May 4, 2009, p. 55.</ref> '']'' writes that it was a difficult birth, during which Boyle was briefly ]. She was diagnosed as having ], which led to bullying.<ref name="Harris"/><ref name="YahooNews">{{cite web|author=Ben McConville|title=Singing `spinster' strikes chord in talent contest| url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090416/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_singing_sensation|publisher=Yahoo News|date=2009-04-16|accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref> She was labelled "Susie Simple" at school but quickly learned<!-- 'learnt' article is written in British English - 'learned' is proper in both British and American--> to overcome those who derided her.<ref name="TheyCalledMeSusieSimple"/> | |||
| After leaving school with few qualifications,<ref name="Shewholaughslast"/> she was employed for the only time in her life as a trainee ] in the kitchen of ] for six months,<ref name="TheyCalledMeSusieSimple">{{cite web|author=Natalie Clarke|title='They called me Susie Simple', but singing superstar Susan Boyle is the one laughing now|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1171536/They-called-Susie-Simple-singing-superstar-Susan-Boyle-laughing-now.html|publisher=Daily Mail|date=2009-04-17|accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref> and took part in government training schemes.<ref name=STprofile/> She would visit the theatre from time to time to listen to professional singers,<ref name=STprofile/> and performed at a number of local venues.<ref name="Holmwood">Holmwood, Leigh. ''The Guardian'' 18 April 2009.</ref> She took singing lessons from a ], Fred O'Neil.<ref name=Shewholaughslast/> In 1995, she auditioned for ]'s ''My Kind of People'',<ref name="Holmwood"/> which was looking for contestants at the ] in Glasgow, but she said she was too nervous to make a good impression.<ref name=STprofile/> '']'' reports that she attended Edinburgh Acting School, and has taken part in the ].<ref name=Holmwood/> In 1999 she recorded "Cry Me a River" for a ] CD funded by the local council to commemorate the Millennium.<ref name="HarrySmith">{{cite video |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4949467n |title=She Dreamed A Dream |publisher=CBS News |people=Smith, Harry |format=streaming |medium=Television |date2=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref><ref name=Harris/> O'Neil has said Boyle abandoned an audition for '']'' because she believed people were being chosen for their looks, and that she almost abandoned her plan to enter ''Britain's Got Talent''. O'Neil told '']'': "I remember a phone call late last year when she said she was too old and that it was a young person's game". O'Neil persuaded her to go to the audition.<ref name=McGinty>McGinty, Stephen. , ''The Scotsman'', April 20, 2009.</ref> | |||
| Boyle's father died in the 1990s, and her siblings had left home, leaving Boyle to look after her ageing<!-- 'ageing' article is written in British English --> mother, who died in 2007 at the age of 91.<ref name="KissClaim"/> Boyle still lives in the family home, a four-bedroom ], with her ten-year-old cat, Pebbles.<ref name="Shewholaughslast"/> Boyle's devotion to caring for her mother was such that she did not have any time for herself.<ref name="KissClaim"/> One neighbour reported that Boyle struggled to cope with the loss of her mother, stating that she "wouldn't come out for three or four days or answer the door or phone".<ref name="KissClaim"/> Her mother had always encouraged her to enter local singing competitions, which she won several times, and tried to persuade her daughter to enter ''Britain's Got Talent'', urging her to take the risk of singing in front of an audience larger than her parish church.<ref name="washington1"/> Boyle has said she did not feel ready to do it until after her mother's death, saying that it was that event which propelled her to go on ''Britain's Got Talent'' and seek a musical career as her way of paying a tribute to her mother.<ref name = Shewholaughslast/> Her performance on the show was the first time she had sung since then.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6078159.ece |title=Secret sadness of Britain's Got Talent star |work=] |first=Stuart |last=MacDonald |date=2009-04-12 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref><ref name=Harris/><ref name=AP/> | |||
| At the time of her ''Britain's Got Talent'' audition, Boyle was unemployed, yet active as a volunteer with the ] church of Our Lady of Lourdes in ].<ref></ref><ref name="YahooNews"/> She has never married; and during an interview just before she sang on the talent show, she said she had also "never been kissed" but later added, "Oh, I was just joking around. It was just banter and it has been blown way out of proportion."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/showbiz-news/showbiz-news/2009/04/14/britain-s-got-talent-star-susan-boyle-proves-big-hit-on-youtube-86908-21277248/ |title=Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle proves big hit on YouTube |work=] |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref><ref name=Harris/> | |||
| ===Early recordings=== | |||
| The earliest known footage of Boyle's talents comes from her parents' ], where at 25 she sang "]" from the musical ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/04/23/susan-boyle-singing-aged-25-world-exclusive-video-of-britain-s-got-talent-star-singing-at-family-party-115875-21301644/|title=Susan Boyle singing aged 25: World exclusive video of Britain's Got Talent star performing at family party|work=]|date=2009-04-23|accessdate=2009-04-24}}</ref> | |||
| Boyle recorded a version of "]" for a ] charity CD entitled "Music for a Millennium Celebration, Sounds of West Lothian", which was produced in 1999 at a school in ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/77217/SUE-BIGGER-THAN-BRITNEY-/|title=SUE BIGGER THAN BRITNEY!|work=Daily Star|date=2009-04-18|accessdate=2009-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/16/exclusive-susan-boyle-s-first-ever-song-release-revealed-listen-to-it-here-86908-21283564/|title=Exclusive: Susan Boyle's first ever song release revealed - listen to it here |work=] |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref> A reviewer for the '']'' wrote at the time, "... the true show-stopper for me is Susan Boyle's heartbreaking rendition of "Cry Me a River", which has been on repeat in my CD player ever since I got this CD..."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foreveramber.co.uk/2009/04/susan-boyle-of-britains-got-talent-i-knew-her-when.html |title=Amber's Reviews |work=] |first=Amber |last=McNaught |date=2000 |accessdate=2009-04-20}}</ref> This recording was released onto the web in the week after April 11, 2009, and gained immediate acclaim, with the '']'' writing that this showed that Boyle was not a "one trick pony" and that the rarity of the CD imprint, with only 1,000 produced, would make them valuable collector's items.<ref> ''New York Post'' 17 April 2009</ref> Other media reaction was similarly positive, with '']'' magazine stating that the recording was a further illustration of the level of Boyle's talent, which "cements her status" as a singing star.<ref> ''Hello!'' magazine 17 April 2009</ref> | |||
| In 1999, Boyle used "all her savings" to pay for a professionally cut ], which she later sent to record companies, radio talent competitions, local and national TV and which has now been released on the Internet. It consisted of "Cry Me a River" and her version of "]". Boyle gave away a few copies to her close friends.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5182599/Early-recording-of-Britains-Got-Talents-Susan-Boyle-unearthed.html|title=Early recording of Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle unearthed |work=] |date=2009-04-20 |accessdate=2009-04-20}}</ref> | |||
| ==Britain's Got Talent and aftermath== | |||
| ===Television performance=== | |||
| In August 2008, Boyle became aware that ''Britain's Got Talent'' would be holding auditions, she applied and, after the preliminary audition in October, was accepted for the taped audition, which took place in Glasgow on January 21, 2009. Boyle performed a rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from ''Les Misérables'' in the first round of the ] of ''Britain's Got Talent'', which aired on April 11 and was watched by an average of 10.3 million viewers.<ref name="Playbill">{{cite web|title=Producer Mackintosh "Gob-Smacked" By Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream"; Song Is YouTube Hit|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/128284.html|publisher=Playbill News|date=2009-04-15|accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref> This performance was widely reported, and millions of people viewed a video of her singing on ].<ref name="Playbill"/> The strength of this reaction reportedly shocked and amazed Boyle, who later said she was "gobsmacked".<ref> ''CNN'' 17 April 2009</ref> | |||
| Boyle is well aware that the audience on ''Britain's Got Talent'' was initially hostile to her because of her appearance, but she has refused to change her image: | |||
| {{cquote|I know what they were thinking, but why should it matter as long as I can sing? It’s not a beauty contest.|20px|20px|Susan Boyle|'']''<ref name="Shewholaughslast">, Sunday Times, 19 April 2009 </ref>}} | |||
| ===News media=== | |||
| Many British newspapers carried articles on Boyle's performance and subsequent ] coverage. '']'' writer Colin Robertson gave her the nickname "Paula Potts" in reference to the contest's Series one winner, the opera singer ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article2370359.ece |title=Paula Potts |work=The Sun |first=Colin |last=Robertson |date=2009-04-10 |accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref> | |||
| International news outlets also carried stories on her, including among others, '']'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/International-Stars/Susans-stardom-to-be-turned-into-film/articleshow/4435255.cms |title=Susan's stardom to be turned into film |work=The Times of India |author=Staff |date=2009-04-22 |accessdate=2009-04-23}}</ref> Germany's '']'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/leute/0,1518,619341,00.html |title=Die Maus, die Brüllte |work=Der Spiegel |author=Staff |language=German |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> China's ],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/newmedia/2009-04/16/content_11195211.htm |title=英国47岁无业女子参加电视选秀节目一唱成名图 |work=Xinhua |author=Staff |date=2009-04-16 |language=Chinese |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> Brazil's '']'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://zerohora.clicrbs.com.br/zerohora/jsp/default.jsp?uf=1&local=1&newsID=a2480688.htm |title=A feia que encantou a Grã-Bretanha |work=Zero Hora |author=Staff |date=2009-04-19 |language=Portuguese|accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref> Israel's '']'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3703057,00.html |title=זה קול הסיפור |work=Ynet |author=Arianna Melamed |date=2009-04-19 |language=Hebrew|accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref> and the ]-language '']''.<ref>http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/04/17/70821.html</ref> | |||
| In the U.S., '']'' coverage suggested that Boyle may be "Britain's newest pop sensation", and the network's Entertainment section ran the headline ''The Woman Who Shut Up Simon Cowell.''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=7332570&page=1 |title=The Woman Who Shut Up Simon Cowell |work=ABCNews Online |last=Farhanghi |first=Hoda |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref> Several commentators have drawn parallels between Boyle's performance and that of ], another unexpected singing talent who also rose to fame on Britain's Got Talent, with '']'' magazine predicting that Boyle could follow in Potts' footsteps and enjoy a successful and profitable career.<ref>Vidya Ram ''Forbes.com'' 17 April 2009</ref> | |||
| ===TV shows=== | |||
| Within the week following her performance on ''Britain's Got Talent'', Boyle was a guest on ]'s '']''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://entertainment.stv.tv/home/88339-britains-got-talent-star-susan-boyles-promise-to-mum/ |title=Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle's promise to mum |work=STV.tv |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref> She was interviewed via satellite on ]'s '']'',<ref name="HarrySmith" /> ]'s '']'',<ref name="dailymail090416">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1170309/Desperately-Seeking-Susan-America-falls-hairy-angel-racks-12m-YouTube-hits.html |title=Thumbs-up as Britain's Got Talent sensation Susan discovers she's an international star... with 18m YouTube hits |work=The Daily Mail |first=Richard |last=Simpson |coauthors=Revoir, Paul; Smith, Lizzie |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> and ]'s '']'', and via a telephone interview on ]'s '']''.<ref>{{cite video |url=http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=videolandingpage&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=4410267 |title=Hitting Her High Note |publisher=FOX News |people=Hemmer, Bill; Kelly, Megyn |format=streaming |medium=Television |date2=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> In an interview, Simon Cowell said Boyle had received an invitation to appear on '']'' and predicted that if she did appear "there's every chance Susan Boyle will have the number one album in America".<ref name="dailymail090416" /> | |||
| She also appeared via satellite on ]'s '']'' opposite ], who apologized to Boyle for not giving her "anything like the respect" she deserved when she walked out on the stage before singing.<ref name="larryking">{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8005767.stm|title=How Susan Boyle won over the world|publisher=]|author=Youngs, Ian|date=2009-04-18|accessdate=2009-04-18}}</ref> Boyle performed an ] verse of "]" on King's show, about which Morgan remarked, "That was just absolutely stunning. To sing that with no musical backing is unbelievable." He had previously invited Boyle to have dinner with him in London, and she had accepted.<ref>Smith, Jean (2009-04-19), , '']''. Retrieved on 2009-04-20.</ref> | |||
| ===Social media=== | |||
| Writing in '']'', Leigh Holmwood said that web technology such as YouTube and social networking sites such as ] and ] have been critical in facilitating Boyle's rapid rise to fame.<ref name=Holmwood>Leigh Holmwood ''The Guardian'' 18 April 2009.</ref> In less than 24 hours there was the first article about Susan Boyle on Misplaced Pages.<ref> | |||
| {{cite news |url=http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_12189175|title=A Wiki-tribute from Williams|work=]|last=Foley|first=Meghan|date=2009-04-21|accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref> The most popular YouTube video submission of her audition garnered nearly 2.5 million views in the first 72 hours.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5152638/Britains-Got-Talent-church-worker-Susan-Boyle-becomes-YouTube-hit.html |title=Britain's Got Talent church worker Susan Boyle becomes YouTube hit |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Urmee |last=Khan |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref> On the day following the performance, the YouTube video was the most popular article on ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/618583 |title=Never-kissed singer an instant Web star |work=] |first=Raju |last=Mudhar |date=2009-04-15 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> The same video was also popular on ], with enough clout to top the site's front page.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/8btiu/never_judge_a_book_by_its_coveramazing_singer/ |title=never judge a book by its cover-amazing singer Susan Boyle |work=Reddit.com |author=QueenZ |date=2009-04-12 |accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref> Within a week, the audition performance had been viewed more than 66 million times, setting an online record, while on Misplaced Pages her biographical article attracted nearly half a million page views.<ref name = washington2/> 125 million video views on 20 different websites was reached within nine days.<ref name=Dobuzinskis>Dobuzinskis, Alex. , Reuters, April 20, 2009.</ref> The '']'' wrote that her popularity on YouTube may in part be due to the broad range of emotion packed into a short timeframe, noting that this makes it "perfect for the Internet, where short clips rule."<ref name=LAtimes/> | |||
| Susan Boyle's fame also spread by links posted on the Twitter website, including praise from celebrity couple ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article2377257.ece |title=Crying out for Moore |work=The Sun |first=Colin |last=Robertson |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/twitter/5156016/Demi-Moore-in-tears-at-Britains-Got-Talents-Susan-Boyle.html |title=Demi Moore 'in tears' at Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Chris |last=Irvine |date=2009-04-15 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8004712.stm|title=Susan Boyle debut song uncovered|publisher=]|date=2009-04-17|accessdate=2009-04-18}}</ref> When Boyle first appeared on ''Britain's Got Talent'', she said that she aspires to become a ] singer "as successful as" ].<ref name="paige">{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/19/susan-boyle-duet-elaine-paige |title=Reality TV star Susan Boyle set for duet with idol Elaine Paige |work=The Guardian |first=Caroline |last=Davies |coauthors=Kelbie, Paul |date=2009-04-19 |accessdate=2009-04-19}}</ref> Since the appearance, Paige has expressed an interest in singing a duet with Boyle,<ref name="paige"/> and has called her "a role model for everyone who has a dream".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8006786.stm |title=Paige salutes Talent star Boyle |work=BBC News |first= |last= |coauthors= |date=2009-04-19 |accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref> ] has also wanted to do a duet with Susan Boyle writing on his ], "Where is Susan Boyle? I am ready for a duet."<ref name="Thelondonpaper">{{cite news|url=http://www.thelondonpaper.com/thelondonpaper/celebrity/celeb-news/hugh-jackman-wants-to-record-a-duet-with-britain%E2%80%99s-got-talent-st|title=Hugh Jackman wants to record a duet with Britain’s Got Talent star, Susan Boyle|work=thelondonpaper|date=2009-04-20 |accessdate=2009-04-21}}</ref> | |||
| ==Social and critical analyses== | |||
| ===Social analysis=== | |||
| Boyle's sudden fame has drawn much commentary on why this story was so widely reported and what it implies, while others drew moral lessons from people's reactions to her performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/entertainment/2009/april/Making-Sense-of-the-Powerful-Reaction-to-Susan-Boyle.html |title=Making Sense of the Powerful Reaction to Susan Boyle |work=FindingDulcinea |first=Mark E |last=Moran |date=2009-04-15 |accessdate=2009-04-15}}</ref> For instance, writing in '']'', Collette Douglas-Home described Boyle's story as a modern parable and a rebuke to people's tendency to judge others based on their physical appearance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php |title=The beauty that matters is always on the inside |work=] |first=Collette |last=Douglas-Home |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-15}}</ref> Similarly, Lisa Schwarzbaum, in an article in '']'', said that Boyle's performance was particularly moving as it was a victory for talent and artistry in a culture obsessed with physical attractiveness and presentation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/04/susan-boyle-why.html | |||
| |title='Britain's Got Talent' breakout Susan Boyle: Why we watch...and weep |work=] |first=Lisa |last=Schwarzbaum |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> Commenting on the audience's reactions before she started singing, Boyle said: | |||
| {{cquote|Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.|20px|20px|Susan Boyle|'']''<ref name="washington1" />}} | |||
| After Boyle's performance, Holden said: | |||
| {{cquote|I am so thrilled because I know that everybody was against you. I honestly think that we were all being very cynical, and I think that's the biggest wake-up call ever. And I just want to say that it was a complete privilege listening to that.|20px|20px|]|''Britain's Got Talent''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vancouversun.com/Life/Beautiful+blondes+Boyle+lingering+ideas+about+sexuality/1509204/story.html |title=Beautiful blondes, a Boyle and lingering ideas about sexuality |publisher='']'' |first=Pete |last=McMartin |date=2009-04-18 |accessdate=2009-04-18}}</ref>}} | |||
| ], the producer of the ''Les Misérables'' musical, also praised the performance, stating: | |||
| {{cquote|Just like the judges and audience, I was gobsmacked by the emotional powerhouse performance of Susan Boyle's show-stopping rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream". Vocally, it is one of the best versions of the song I've ever heard—touching, thrilling and uplifting. I do hope she gets to sing it for the Queen.|20px|20px|Cameron Mackintosh<ref name="Playbill"/>|}} | |||
| Echoing Amanda Holden's comments, Jeanne McManus wrote in ''The Washington Post'' that, in ]s such as ''Britain's Got Talent'', one of the main sources of drama is the collision between performers' sometimes exaggerated sense of self-worth and the opinions and reactions of their audience.<ref name="DreamSheDreamed">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/16/AR2009041602419.html |title=The Dream She Dreamed |work=The Washington Post |first=Jeanne |last=McManus |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> In Boyle's case, McManus believed that her initial demeanour and homely appearance caused the judges and audience to be "waiting for her to squawk like a duck".<ref name="DreamSheDreamed"/> Indeed, New York's '']'' said that it was this stark contrast between the audience's low expectations and the quality of her singing that made Boyle's performance such an engaging piece of television.<ref name="GoldenTicket">{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/04/16/2009-04-16_susan_boyle_was_the_golden_ticket_of_reality_tv.html |title=Susan Boyle was the golden ticket of reality TV |work=] |author=Staff |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> This article also noted that the idea of an underdog being ridiculed or humiliated but then enjoying an unexpected triumph is a common ] in literature and that this is why, when this theme made its unscripted appearance in reality television, it created an enduring and powerful effect.<ref name="GoldenTicket"/> | |||
| On the other hand, although this audience reaction was unscripted, it may have been anticipated. Writing in '']'', Mark Blankenship noted that the producers of the show would have been aware of the potential of this ], stating that the programme seemed to deliberately present Boyle in a manner that would enhance this initial reaction.<ref name="HuffingtonPost">{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-blankenship/two-reasons-susan-boyle-m_b_187901.html |title=Two Reasons Susan Boyle Means So Much to Us |work=The Huffington Post |first=Mark |last=Blankenship |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> He does note, however, that "as fabricated as it is, her on-camera arc is undeniably moving".<ref name="HuffingtonPost"/> The fact that Boyle is in her forties has also been cited as contributing to this strong emotional impact. In another ''Huffington Post'' article, ] wrote that people may have been "weeping for the years of wasted talent", since most of Boyle's life has been spent in obscurity and those wasted years can never be recovered.<ref name="HuffingtonPost2">{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/letty-cottin-pogrebin/why-susan-boyle-makes-us_b_187790.html |title=Why Susan Boyle Makes Us Cry |work=The Huffington Post |first=Letty Cottin |last=Pogrebin |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> All the same, Pogrebin still classed Boyle's performance as a triumph for what she called "women of a certain age", as she saw it as representing a victory over a youth culture that often dismisses middle-aged women.<ref name="HuffingtonPost2"/> | |||
| ] wrote in ''The Guardian'' that the difference between Boyle's hostile reception and the more neutral response to ] in his first audition reflected society's expectation that women be both good-looking and talented, with no such expectation existing for men.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/16/britains-got-talent-susan-boyle | |||
| |title=It wasn't singer Susan Boyle who was ugly on Britain's Got Talent so much as our reaction to her |work=The Guardian |first=Tanya |last=Gold |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> In a similar vein, Mary Elizabeth Williams wrote on ] that Boyle's performance reminded people that "not all fortysomething women are sleek, Botoxed beauties," going on to say that Boyle's sudden fame came from her ability to remind her audience that, like them, she is a normal, flawed and vulnerable person, familiar with disappointment and mockery, but who nevertheless has the determination to fight for her dream.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/04/16/susan_boyle/ |title=The triumph of Susan Boyle |work=Salon.com |first=Mary Elizabeth |last=Williams |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref> | |||
| Several media sources have commented that Boyle's success seemed to have particular resonance in the ]. Writing in '']'', Craig Brown quoted a U.S. entertainment correspondent who compared Boyle's story to the ], in that it represented talent overcoming adversity and poverty.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/A-dream-comes-true-as.5179534.jp |title=A dream comes true as singer Susan becomes instant hit with American fans |work=The Scotsman |first=Craig |last=Brown |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref> The ] described this as Boyle's "hardscrabble story", dwelling on her modest lifestyle and what they saw as urban deprivation in her home town.<ref name=AP>{{cite news |url=http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/apr/16/eu-britain-singing-sensation-041609/?features&zIndex=83424 |title=Singing 'spinster' strikes chord in talent contest |work=Associated Press ''via'' SignonSanDiego.com |first=Ben |last=McConville |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref> Similarly, '']'' New York correspondent David Usborne wrote that America is a country that will always respond to "the fairy tale where the apparently unprepossessing suddenly becomes pretty, from '']'' to '']''".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/dreams-come-true-for-overnight-star-1669952.html |title=Dreams come true for overnight star |work=The Independent |first=David |last=Usborne |date=2009-04-16 |accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref> Piers Morgan, one of the show's judges, also commented on the unusual power this story seemed to have in the US, noting that "Americans can be very moved by this sort of thing", and likening Boyle's rise to fame from poverty and obscurity to that of the fictional boxer ].<ref name=LAtimes>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-susan-boyle17-2009apr17,0,2767635.story |title=Talent trumps all for YouTube sensation Susan Boyle |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Scott |last=Collins |coauthors=Stobart, Janet |date=2009-04-17 |accessdate=2009-04-17}}</ref> | |||
| ===Critical professional evaluations=== | |||
| ] interviewed several professional singers, ] and ]es regarding Boyle. Seattle-based music critic for Northwest classical-music site ''The Gathering Note'' stated "There's no shortage of first-class voices out there, but Boyle has a unique story: she's unattractive." R.M. Campbell continued: "She's a bit like Ella Fitzgerald. It's really, really hard to make a career if a woman isn't attractive. The very fact that she is ordinary could help in improving her future success." ] vocal coach Eric Vetro stated "She's an everywoman as opposed to an untouchable fantasy goddess, so maybe that's why people react to her. They say, 'She's one of us, but look how talented she is. We want to support her'." Vetro went on to say that he thought Boyle should audition for ] or West End shows, "where she could really shine." | |||
| London vocal coach Tona de Brett said of Boyle, "Her breathing sounds good, her tuning is perfect, and she puts in real emotion without being overdone, which is a tremendously good thing, because so often in the pop business, the emotions are superimposed," and continued that Boyle had a knock-out, real natural gift. Joan Lader, a vocal therapist and teacher from New York, has worked with singers ] and ]. Lader described Boyle's voice as: "very free, unaffected and pure, with lots of clarity and range." Singer and actress ] said of Boyle's singing: "Her pitch was right on, her quality was clear and she had volume when she belted." Referring to Boyle's "Cry Me a River" YouTube clip, York said "she has a really nice sultry sound". | |||
| Allen Henderson, the director of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, said that Boyle's voice was "good".<ref name="msnbc-Pitchy">{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30330165/ |title=Don't call Susan Boyle 'pitchy'! Voice coaches, critics say 'Talent' contestant really is a talented singer |first=Dan |last=Richman |work=MSNBC.com |accessdate=2009-04-23}}</ref> Henderson went on to say, "As a professional, her performance didn't blow me away, but I thought it was very good. She handled the piece very well." He did not suggest any pointers because he preferred to hear more material under less strenuous circumstances before commenting further.<ref name="msnbc-Pitchy"/> | |||
| ==Cultural references== | |||
| Boyle's phenomenal internet success and her appeal in reaching out to millions of people across the world, has meant that, in a relatively short time, she has become a cultural icon. For instance, Boyle's rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" has been credited with causing a spike in ticket sales in the ] production of ''Les Miserables'' <ref> </ref>. Sara-Jeanne Hosie, the star of the Vancouver production, has taken to describing herself as "Susan Boyle's understudy" <ref> </ref>. Boyle has also been the cause of humour as ] comedian ] demonstrated when he portrayed Susan Boyle in ] and jokingly claimed that they were related. <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5190959/Jay-Leno-performs-in-drag-as-Susan-Boyle.html|title=Jay Leno performs in drag as Susan Boyle|work=Daily Telegraph|author=Staff|date=2009-04-21}}</ref> | |||
| The American cartoon show ] made a reference to Susan Boyle in the episode '']'' which aired on the 22nd April 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Cara |title=Susan Boyle makes South Park sick |work=] |date=2009-04-23 |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article2392316.ece |accessdate=2009-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hardie |first=Beth |title=Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle makes it onto South Park |work=] |date=2009-04-23 |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/04/23/britain-s-got-talent-s-susan-boyle-makes-it-onto-south-park-115875-21300465/ |accessdate=2009-04-23}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{wikiquote}} | |||
| <!-- DO NOT ADD YOUTUBE LINKS OR FANSITES BEFORE READING TALK PAGE --> | |||
| * at ] | |||
| <!-- DO NOT ADD YOUTUBE LINKS OR FANSITES BEFORE READING TALK PAGE --> | |||
| {{Susan Boyle}} | |||
| {{Britain's Got Talent}} | |||
| {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ] --> | |||
| |NAME = Boyle, Susan | |||
| |ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | |||
| |SHORT DESCRIPTION = Singer | |||
| |DATE OF BIRTH = ], ] | |||
| |PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ] | |||
| |DATE OF DEATH = | |||
| |PLACE OF DEATH = | |||
| }} <!-- Goes above DEFAULTSORT/Categories --> | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Boyle, Susan}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 23:56, 26 April 2009
She is the prettiest women ever!