By now, you’ve surely heard of Susan Boyle. Her performance has been watched by over 30 million people and finally made the NYTimes. So why has one middle aged woman from Scotland captured everyone’s heart?
Perhaps it’s because she made the music industry’s veritable Scrooge smile like a child on Christmas morning.
Or is it hat we love to root for the underdog and she’s a modern Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger and real life Jamal Malik?
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Maybe the carbon copy image of what stars should be finally got so overexposed, the public is bored to tears with more of the same.
No, I think all of that matters, but Susan struck a chord because in this troubled world, she represents the perseverance of the human spirit. We got to watch as the most unlikely individual rose to become a celebrated 21st century muse. No matter how fickle fame is–or who Ms. Boyle turns out to be–we share in her moment of triumph.
So why this woman? Because for a few minutes in 2009–perhaps more so than Obama himself–Susan Boyle personified hope.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Susan Boyle obviously shatters the stereotypical image of youthful beauty that is supposed to be the epitome of such shows. She gives us hope that there are gems among the mundane-looking people that we see on the street everyday. It’s like being in a forest only to discover that we are in the Rabbit Hole. Even if we catch glimpses of this rarely, it fills us up with wonder. Also, you must have heard of Paul Potts.
In some ways Susan Boyle is like Dewey the Library Cat. Just like Dewey, Susan is also a welcome distraction from the difficulties of everyday life, who provides hope in a time of adversity.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:43 am
fem-bots?
April 20th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Susan struck a chord because in this troubled world, she represents the perseverance of the human spirit.
Yes, that’s exactly why.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:40 am
This is all lovely and everything, but I couldn’t help but feel bitter about how derisive the audience was by just seeing that she wasn’t some 120 pound teenage girl. And I might be alone on this, but I felt even more bitter when I saw how everyone turned on a fucking dime when she started singing. It was just so shamelessly two-faced I couldn’t stand it.
That said, she is pretty amazing, and I did appreciate the judge’s praise.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:45 am
That’s what makes her performance so powerful. Susan didn’t need their approval and wasn’t swayed by the audience because she believed in herself.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:17 am
You’re completely right, and I hope I didn’t send the impression that I wasn’t as touched by it as anyone else. It’s just that, being the slight misanthrope I am, I can’t help but resent the audience for being so shallow despite that they were proven to be way wrong.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:27 am
It was inspiring. I agree.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Humans will be humans, unless other humans sometimes induce them to behave otherwise
April 20th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
There is no doubt that she has a remarkable talent. But I hope the lesson we learn from Susan Boyle is that in every pub, every library, every office building or classroom there is someone who has undiscovered talents and unappreciated virtues. It may be someone with a creative genius, an uncommon wit, or a completely unselfish capacity for giving. I find that the older I get the more I am humbled by those around me.
April 20th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Why this woman? Because she put a lot of people in their place. If you watch a full clip you’ll notice that people are laughing just about as soon as she walks out on stage, as if “Oh here is this crazy lady, this is going to be a laughfest.” And when the judges asked her who she wanted to emulate and she replied Elaine Paige, the shot to the audience showed several younger kids laughing at her in a “Yah right.” sort of way.
And then … she sang … and going back to the audience showed those same fools who had laughed at her … in total shock, catching flies their mouths were so wide open.
Good for her, and I hope she becomes a star.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I never heard of her until she featured on the news. I still have absolutely no interest in her.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:20 pm
OMG Susan Boyle has A most beautiful voice, I hope to hear more.And what a boost for those who think their to old to go for it whatever it may be…U GO GIRL From Pennsylvania.