The audience at the taping of the TV show Britain's Got Talent was prepared to hate the performance of this odd-looking self-confessed 'cat lady' who'd never been kissed; and the show's three judges, including the notorious Simon Cowell, rolled their eyes as she began to tell them a little about herself, what her hopes were, and what she planned to sing - "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Misérables.
What happened in the next few minutes is the stuff YouTube is built on. As the Washington Post reports:
The Internet has not seen anything quite like Susan Boyle, whose online popularity is headed straight to the history books. The video of Boyle's performance...has set the record for the number of views in a week -- and shows no sign of slowing down....The article discusses the phenomenom of Susan Boyle, but you have to watch the video to truly understand.According to Visible Measures, which tracks videos from YouTube, MySpace and other video-sharing sites, all Boyle-oriented videos -- including clips of her television interviews and her recently released rendition of "Cry Me a River," recorded 10 years ago for a charity CD -- have generated a total of 85.2 million views. Nearly 20 million of those views came overnight.
The seven-minute video that was first posted on YouTube and then widely circulated online easily eclipsed more high-profile videos that have been around for months. Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin has clocked in 34.2 million views, said the folks at Visible Measures, while President Obama's victory speech on election night has generated 18.5 million views.
In a society that glorifies pretty but talentless personalities and dismisses women 'of a certain age' all too often, the Susan Boyle story is one that resonates deeply with many viewers.
Watch it and see why.
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Comments
Thank you for blogging about her! I am so inspired. Her performance made me cry. (Plus, I love Simon Cowell more and more all the time.)
I’ve watched the YouTube versions of Susan Boyle many times and wept the first three. Each time I listen to her amazing voice now, tears come to my eyes. She is an amazing talent!
Thank you for bring her her to the attention of anyone who doesn’t know her yet.
she is absolutely amazing. here voice shines and she has a great sense of humor to go with it. she’s definitely on her way
Def amazing. She really tears up the stage AND everyone’s humbleness.
Susan Boyle has really rocked our world, hasn’t she? I think she’s adorable, sexy, and very different – I simply love her. Very much hope she does NOT pluck those die-for eyebrows. This lady is going places – one place besides singing that I hope she goes is Susan Boyle Fashions, especially Boyle Jewellry! She is simply wonderful -
I personally do not believe in her phenomenon.
She is too professional from her first appearance with Les Miserables song.
Who ever she is -she is not a housewife from some kitchen in English village.
She is very well trained and I’m not talking about voice-let it be a God’s gift to amuse You.
I’m talking about her stage behavior, acting skills , very little details which any professional can spot right away.
She is finally got a brake-a big one, but don’t feed me her Cinderella in her 47 story, You insulting my intelligence.
Wait couple of years- You’ll get a true story about her.
You can see that the judging on Britain’s Got Talent is unfair as Susan Boyle came in 2nd behind a dance group that was good, but not nearly the talent that Ms. Boyle has.
It’s just not right.
The main thing about Susan his her non-sexy appearance and persona. She is not ugly. She look like the average middle age housewife. And that’s what makes her so special. Some voices just seem so crystal clear that you know that it is a special gift. And her’s is one of them.
I totally despise the Idol shows (tried to watch one but didn’t last but a minute) because of the display of the brainless, bratty PYTs that parade and grace the world with their tight little assets. I just happened to come upon Susan’s video by accident while surfing the web tonight and it caught my attention because of her looks and because Simon was on the panel. Since his reputation precedes him, I just had to see it. Well, it started just like I thought; PYTs in the audience making faces, the judges smirking, you name it. I was about to leave the site when I heard Susan’s voice. I was mesmerized. Couldn’t take my eyes off from her. I have never heard such a beautiful voice in my life. Heck, I think I’m turning gay or something because like Caryn and Pamela, I also got tears in my eyes. And before you make a judgement call on that last remark, I have nothing against gay folks. Whatever works for you. Live and let live. It just thrilled me when the whole audience, the same that moments before were smirking and making snide remarks (yep, I can read lips) stood up and cheered her. I was thinking – man, that is sweet; sock it to them. I absolutely believe that everyone that night was taught a lesson in humility that no one was expecting. And Alex, if you’re insinuating that you’re a professional, don’t insult my intelligence. You either need to get schooled in writing or see if you can get your money back, you loser. It’s been over a year now, and I know you said a couple, but, where’s the big story? Other than she made it and odds are that you didn’t. Tell me I’m wrong.
Susan Boyle’s Triumph I Dreamed A Dream
By D.K. Milgrim-Heath© 2010
Susan Boyle’s triumph I Dreamed A Dream-
Positive are its answers doesn’t it gleam?
Singing strongly and beautiful to the world-
This new angelic singing star unfurled.
Now for her newest music mention The Gift-
Still helping the world get a beautiful lift!
Following Susan’s music so very much so-
Brings beautiful music for us all we know.
Your angelic voice is forever with the ages-
Experimenting with many songs at stages.
Your musical qualities are past excellent best-
A very stunned world saw your serious test.
May you Susan use your music to increase-
The beauty of sorely needed world peace.
Susan Boyle’s Triumph I Dreamed A Dream
By D.K. Milgrim-Heath© 2010
Susan Boyle’s triumph I Dreamed A Dream-
Positive are its answers doesn’t it gleam?
Singing strongly and beautiful to the world-
This new angelic singing star unfurled.
Now for her newest music mention The Gift-
Still helping the world get a beautiful lift!
Following Susan’s music so very much so-
Brings beautiful music for us all we know.
Your angelic voice is forever with the ages-
Experimenting with many songs at stages.
Your musical qualities are past excellent best-
A very stunned world saw your serious test.
May you Susan use your music to increase-
The beauty of sorely needed world peace.