Thank You, Susan Boyle
Posted April 20, 2009 12:05 AM
Then Boyle began to sing. By the fifth note of “I Dreamed a Dream,” the audience mood changed from one of dismissal to disbelief. Her electrifying rendition of the song about wasted youth, showcased her octave-spanning range and amazing breath control, and had the crowd on its feet, cheering wildly. The camera panned the judges’ table, Cowell’s usual smirky expression was wiped off and replaced by a wide smile, Morgan stared in amazed admiration and Amanda Holden welled up with tears.
Boyle beamed as Morgan declared her performance stunning. “Everybody was against you,” said the perfectly-put together Holden, “I honestly think we were all being cynical, and that was the biggest wake up call ever.” All three judges voted Boyle on to the next phase of the competition.
Since her performance, the church volunteer who lives with her cat Pebbles, and by her own admission, has never been kissed, has become a media sensation. She has sung a capella on Larry King, been interviewed on the CBS Early Show, featured on NBC nightly news, written about in the New York Times, and has been the subject of countless blogs and postings. For some, hers is the story of the ultimate underdog defying expectations, for others she has become a symbol of triumph against ageism, providing a slap in the face to a youth-obsessed, beauty-worshiping culture.
By pursuing a dream that most would say she’s too old to fulfill, she has inspired many, myself included. So, thank you Susan Boyle, for shattering a stereotype—at least for a moment—with your amazing voice, for reminding us that the value of a person’s worth can’t be assessed by the packaging, and that it’s never to late to fulfill your ambition. As you make your way through the rounds of Britain’s Got Talent, millions of us will be cheering you on from afar.
Comments (24)
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Posted June 11, 2009 9:20 PM
Susan Boyle has a true God given gift and it would be a shame for her not to share it with the world. I think she should have been the winner on Idol, but she's still a winner in my book. Don't let defeat stop you from singing Susan, we here in America are in awe of your beautiful voice and that sweet spirit you have. Another chance will come for you to share you unbelievable voice and good character, just be patient. Don't let stress hold you down.
You go Girl!
Posted May 27, 2009 3:48 PM
Susan Boyle is such an inspiration, despsite the fact that I cry with an emotional gulping when I hear and watch her sing.
God Bless you Susan, please continue to share your beautiful voice, tenderness and feelings with the world. Thank you, Mahalo a nui loa!
Posted May 23, 2009 10:56 PM
Double-back to YouTube, check out the reactions, when Ms. Boyle declares her age and her dream!
Watch as they cut to the audience, see them all grimace, what you see is unmitigated incredulity.
What you see is age-bias! I'm sure the guilty would deny that they harbor such an evil, but oh how they do!
What the Boyle episode informs, is that despite the pretenses of modernity, our stories are
still adjudicated solely by our cover? What's really odd is that we are the MAJORITY, yet we are treated
with much disdain and disregard. Ladies & gentlemen, if you think such malevolence
is only reserved for but a select/slighted few groups, think again?
"And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
The more I ply the waters of time, the more inequities I see.
We are all from a generation that said "NO" to the egregious errors of our time.
I see no reason to cower and abate at this juncture either?
Folks, we are the most powerful demographic, when you get rebuked, resist;
"Go not quietly into the night!"
Susan Boyle showed them, we all should hold to a kindred dignity as well!
Posted May 16, 2009 6:43 PM
The faces of the judges and the audience realizing what they were hearing was worth all the tea in China as we used to say. So I thank you too. We have all become to cynical and judgemental. You made us all stop and reassess our view of people.
Posted May 2, 2009 12:27 PM
This was a great wake up call for all that you can't judge a book by its cover. This lady is a great asset to all of us. Beauty is only skin deep, talent is ongoing.
Posted May 1, 2009 1:41 AM
As a private voice teacher for many years, I was so thrilled to hear the quality tones
and musicianship coming so unexpectedly from Susan Boyle. She is truly an
inspiration to all and I wish her nothing but "the best".
Posted April 30, 2009 3:49 PM
When we needed a hero along came "Sulley" when we need inspiration along came Susan..Like Louis Armstrong said.."Oh what a wonderful world"
Posted April 26, 2009 12:59 AM
This is so wonderful. Susan is a gift for all of us who have forgotten that there may be something extraordinary to lift us up and embrace the unexpected. Miracles
Posted April 24, 2009 10:18 AM
Never judge a Book By It's Cover . Here is a great example of the meaning of this phrase.
They all scoffed Susan but as soon as she opened her mouth to sing she made history and I hope she will go on from here to win the Britain's got talent competition.
Posted April 23, 2009 6:26 PM
I saw this soaring performance just before hearing the speaker of the evening at a career networking meeting. I was depressed because my job search in six months has yielded nothing. This body has seen over 50 revolutions of the earth around the sun and I'm a little round too. In these soul crushing time when it seems that "once you pass young and pretty you're done" here comes this big, bold voice from across the pond. Susan was Hope slapping the odds aside with a sweep of her majestic, goddess hips. From all of us who stand on bare stages before judgmental, derisive hiring committees; from all of us who when we show up at interviews our faces are made to burn with the tears of shame and anger we cannot cry--From all of us, not so young and not so pretty any more...thank you, Susan.Hope lives.
Posted April 23, 2009 3:52 PM
Susan Boyle is an inspiration and a leader to all of us who have sometimes felt, "it's too late for me..." Thank you Susan! and may you be blessed as you have blessed all of us!
Posted April 23, 2009 2:51 AM
First lesson in Journalism is get your facts right! Jeeeeeez you Yanks always get it wrong, she's from Blackburn not Blackwell!. She's dowdy, she's frumpy, she's not so young and not so pretty, but when she sings she is beautiful! Wake up America!
Posted April 22, 2009 6:37 PM
Susan should stay what we call "a floor model." She is beautiful just the way she is! Who said one has to be slim and cosmetically slathered, to be considered beautiful. There is talk of giving her a "Make Over" but I hope she rejects it. The world is full of ordinary people just like her, and I count myself as one of them also. Everything about Susan is warm and comfy, why change anything. Thousands would give their eye tooth to sing half as well as she does. I thank her for speaking up for the over 45 age group. We are not "over the hill" yet either, because we are still climbing. Isn't fate wonderful, it springs in front of your face just when you need a "whispering" that says, "don't worry about a thing, we will try again tomorrow. Everyone, have a blessed future. ( from Ettakett))
Posted April 22, 2009 5:20 PM
waw waw waw cant stop saying it enough while tears just streamed down my face the moment i saw the youtube..and thank u susan for having what it takes to stay on stage inspite of all the laughs and singing that song with a voice that just pearces the soul with yearning and understandingm thank u for being u..from bahrain:)
Posted April 22, 2009 4:27 PM
The only things I had in my eyes were tears.Susan 's voice went right thru to my heart. I can't wait to purchase her record,I'll play it a few times a day to keep me as Happy as I was when I first heard it. "God Bless You Susan" and stay as sweet as you are.
Posted April 22, 2009 4:26 PM
The reaction to Susan Boyle points out the yearnings of all those who have spirit & haven't been totallly co-opted by the new "Beauty" facism - that says everyone has to be blonde, thin & try to look 15! Otherwise you are invisible & can be mocked. Poppycock! Spirit & talent RULE.
Posted April 21, 2009 11:25 PM
Sue, first of all God Bless you. Your voice is like an angel. Good luck to you in the future I don't think you will have any problems.
Posted April 21, 2009 9:55 PM
God bless you ,Susan!!!!,you are living proof that first impressions are not even close to the lasting judgment ,the impression that lives in the heart of all of us all!!!!!
Posted April 21, 2009 9:43 PM
i was stud when i hared her voice, and was very happy for her when she converted the audiences opinions, I am confident that she gave everyone including me good lesson of not being sarcastic from people who may be better than us, i felt so discussing from audiences who rolled their eyes.
I learned from this experience not to bother about others and keep focusing on achieving my goals, and not to give up when dreams delays to come true…
Posted April 21, 2009 3:28 PM
Susan is the epitamy of confidence. I would never have had the nerve, but guess what, I would now. Thank you Susan.
Posted April 21, 2009 3:24 PM
Yes, I have watched the YouTube video on Susan's performance. She is perky and a bit comical. I could tell she has tremendous sense of humor.
However, when she starts belting out that song from "Les Miserables", I almost drop my cup of coffee. "Wow" 5 Stars!!!
But let us not forget this young girl from the Philippines who blew the roof of Madison Sq. Gardens.
My God, we were all in tears. She came from the poorest of the poor however, she has a dream and I hope she reach her goal. Her name is Charice. Kudos for these two angels separated by oceans. Talking about overcoming adversities. Please watch Charice spellbinding performance of "Try it on my Own" on YouTube. Let me caution you, please have a box of kleenex, And she is just 16.
Posted April 21, 2009 2:38 PM
She is going after her dream in the face of her age and looks.
We applaud her and are cheering her on!
Posted April 21, 2009 2:28 PM
Susan, I am absoposilutely extremely privileged to hear each note you sing! I think you are a beautiful young woman. I am certain ALL your dreams and aspirations will come true. Hopefully success shall not spoil the wondrous star you already are. YOU truly deserve all the blessings coming your way. Have a grand time singing! Tamara
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