Video: Britain’s biggest star does first U.S. interview
posted at 4:42 pm on April 16, 2009 by Allahpundit
I’m not being cute calling her that, either. Check the stats on the YouTube vids of her “Britain’s Got Talent” performance; all told, she must be pushing 20 million views. To put that in perspective, a link to a video at the top of Drudge usually only delivers a few hundred thousand. We’re still getting tips about it every day, usually with a line or two about how it made the sender cry, even though I posted it already. She’s a bona fide phenomenon, in other words, which makes me think at least a few of you will be interested in this. Two segments from this morning’s “Early Show,” one of them featuring a celebrity cameo and both of them featuring the anchors talking to her almost as if she’s a child — which may not be totally inappropriate. I’m not sure what’s “wrong” with her exactly, whether it’s just an extreme case of social awkwardness or something more, but needless to say that authenticity is at the core of the popular fascination with her. When was the last time someone so talented so utterly exploded the stereotype of how an entertainer should be?
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Forgotten Paul Potts already?
MadisonConservative on April 16, 2009 at 4:44 PM
It’s good to see good singing get some attention for once.
Byzantine on April 16, 2009 at 4:45 PM
When was the last time someone so talented so utterly exploded the stereotype of how an entertainer should be?
Paul Potts comes to mind.
coldwarrior on April 16, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Check out the thread on TMZ about her. TMZ posted an unflattering photo of her braless; there are over 150 comments and most are very much in her favor. She has really moved lots of people; me included.
carbon_footprint on April 16, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Here’s the TMZ link. Make that 170 comments.
carbon_footprint on April 16, 2009 at 4:47 PM
top clip doesnt work?
lorien1973 on April 16, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Oh so now she’s “talented”? On your first link to her you could barely compliment her! If I’m not mistaken, you might have even used the word, “adequate” in describing her voice.
I still think she’s awesome and I cry everytime I see the video!
anniekc on April 16, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I was dumb founded when I heard her sing. She sings like Fantine but don’t think she could quite pull of the Broadway thing – as Fantine anyway.
That voice is magnificent though- truly.
kybowexar on April 16, 2009 at 4:48 PM
RON PAUL!!!!
Nelsen on April 16, 2009 at 4:49 PM
She’s sweet. I wish her the best.
Missy on April 16, 2009 at 4:50 PM
She was good, I like her. She will probably also fade from public view. The main reason why people rooted for her was that she was so underestimated to begin with. Her performance was decent but honestly there are probably thousands of little known singers who could have sung that song just as well.
echosyst on April 16, 2009 at 4:51 PM
You are.
MadisonConservative on April 16, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Wow. Just wow. She is simply amazing.
TheBigOldDog on April 16, 2009 at 4:52 PM
He didn’t look the part, but I don’t recall him being quite as … off, shall we say, as she is.
No, actually, I called it “golden.” Par for the course for the people who bash me for you to say that, though.
Allahpundit on April 16, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Good for this woman. I wish her the best. She deserves it.
jencab on April 16, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Somewhere in the original story, he did minimize her talent, I didn’t just pull that out of my arse.
anniekc on April 16, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Do you keep track?
anniekc on April 16, 2009 at 4:55 PM
If I’m not mistaken the discovered the male version a year or so again in the UK. I think you even posted it. Iirc his name was Potts. So this is the second time the UK has blown up the stereotype…
TheBigOldDog on April 16, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I love seeing the look on Simon’s face.
Disturb the Universe on April 16, 2009 at 4:57 PM
It’s a nice story, but it would be nicer if they hadn’t run the same script with opera singer Paul Potts a few years.
TedInATL on April 16, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I loved BOTH moments: Potts and Boyle. I love watching those judges being stunned. Beautiful beautiful moments.
And funny that both happened on THAT show. I love the Brits.
tickleddragon on April 16, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Two that I agree with are one- she’s not THAT spectacular a singer,
Yeah, she’s really not. She’s much better than she looks, but that’s all.
Allahpundit on April 13, 2009 at 8:14 PM
youngO on April 16, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Thanks for posting Allah. All is forgiven. Are you sure you didn’t go back and edit the previous thread ;-)
gh on April 16, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I don’t recall ever bashing Allah
youngO on April 16, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Good for her. Very nice of Patti LuPone to acknowledge this amazing new talent that is singing a song made famous by her.
Kudos to Allahpundit for introducing her to us. =)
portlandon on April 16, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Funny … that’s what I remembered.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Is she a conservative?
faraway on April 16, 2009 at 5:00 PM
PS – she’s the twin of my childhood best friend’s sister looks, mannerisms, etc except she’s Irish. Saw her recently at a funeral and she’s still living with her 80 year old mother. Never been kissed, etc. She’s her living twin. I wonder if she too is harboring some amazing secret talent…
TheBigOldDog on April 16, 2009 at 5:01 PM
The word “adequate”? Actually, yeah, you did.
MadisonConservative on April 16, 2009 at 5:01 PM
I personally think she’s good but it’s more of the fact that she kills the stereotype that makes her a big hit. Not necessarily the killer voice
youngO on April 16, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Joking with my deal old mother this morning that Potts and Boyle should hookup!
TheBigOldDog on April 16, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Fair enough, but he does seem to have fallen off the radar some even though he was probably just as popular as she is now.
Esthier on April 16, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Like Simon says “this is a singing competition”
faraway on April 16, 2009 at 5:04 PM
LOL You’re funny.
I work in the music industry. She will do very well, and as for your “there are probably thousands of little known singers who could have sung that song just as well” …. they need to come out of their showers so we can hear them.
Old Hippie Vet on April 16, 2009 at 5:04 PM
He’s on tour and has just finished his second album. You should try using google before you post.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:05 PM
There is something to that… I didn’t watch the videos above but I did watch her on youtube… the audience was awful to her before she sang… they were pretty much mocking her, so when she sang it was such a shock. I can only imagine if you weren’t warned ahead of time, it was even more so…
That said, under the right tutelage she could make (cut?) some records (or however that is expressed these days) and sell some. She is at least as good as most current singers.
Odd as she is, she deserves to be rich as least as much as the next person. What a lonely little life she’s lived up to this point.
petunia on April 16, 2009 at 5:06 PM
This lady gives me goose bumps, you are correct her voice is golden and clear. “Odd” or not, I hope they at least be nice to her and give her some self esteem.
upinak on April 16, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Simon will take care of her. That’s what he does.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Touring and making albums are not indicators of popularity. The man was an Internet phenomenon. I haven’t seen him on TV since. Have you?
I said “some” not completely. If that weren’t true, you wouldn’t need to Google to prove me wrong.
Esthier on April 16, 2009 at 5:08 PM
It sure beats the thumping noise coming from my neighbors car.
KBird on April 16, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Wow!!! Thats as ignorant as saying there are thousands of guitar players who can play as well or better than Segovia or Clapton. I suppose there are countless people who can sing “Con te Partiro” better than Andrea Bocelli?? get a clue…Those artists are who they are because they are the BEST…YoungO is on the right track with the fact she “kills the stereotype” more than the sadsack “thousands of singers could have sung that song just as well”……
mldlalex on April 16, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Is it my imagination or is Simon nicer to the Brits than he is to the Americans? By the way the save last night was great!
petunia on April 16, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I don’t own a TV. People in “the music business” make their money touring.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:10 PM
It moved me to see this the other day. She is humble and genuine. We are so over/underwhelmed with realityTV BS drama that to see real humbleness and genuinity is extra-ordinary. Makes you wonder why fitting the stereotype of the “typical star” is allowed to be set by someone else in the first place. Do you realize how ugly some in Hollywood really are without the makeup and plastic surgery? Not only on the outside either. Thats my take on it anyways.
canditaylor68 on April 16, 2009 at 5:11 PM
AP, there’s nothing wrong with her, and your use of quotations doesn’t let you off the hook. How is she supposed to act? She’s an ordinary woman who seems to have lived a rather solitary life, taking care of her mother, staying near things which are familiar.
At what point was she supposed to morph into a camera-ready personality full of glib talking points?
But thanks for the thread; every time you’re tempted to put up a Megan McCain thread, think Boyle instead.
CarolynM on April 16, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Potts sold over 4 million copies of his first album…and his second album is out. (about a week ago.) Passione. Awesome.
He is a huge hit in Europe, and will be coming to the US this month, I’ve heard.
coldwarrior on April 16, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Me, too. It’s not for nothing that 50% of my genes are from the Brits!
zeebeach on April 16, 2009 at 5:12 PM
I think she is fabulous and I expecially appreciate she isn’t under 25, doesn’t have giant saline breats and doesn’t have blinding white teeth and bleach blond hair. It’s about time an almost 50 year old, average Jane gets a little notice. Horray for us post-menopausal women!
bopbottle on April 16, 2009 at 5:13 PM
I watched her on Youtube. I was amazed. This woman has a gorgeous voice. I hope she wins it all.
jimmy2shoes on April 16, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Simon is an obnoxious git but the purpose of these shows is for him to find talent for Sony[*]. I believe it’s in the contracts that he has rights of first refusal. There are interviews with him on youtube where he talks about how much these finds are worth.
The only one he bailed on was the 6 year-old from the first season because his group doesn’t represent young children but he found her an agent and a contract with another company and if you search on youtube you can find videos of her performing in japan, korea, …
[*] IIRC, that’s who he works for.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I wish her the best………..
Seven Percent Solution on April 16, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Anyone else get the feeling she had no clue who Patti LuPone is?
SnarkVader on April 16, 2009 at 5:15 PM
No sh!t. Still not what I was talking about. Maybe you could try taking the stick out. Just maybe.
And who cares if you own a TV, you obviously have access to a computer, you know, the same place most of us ever saw Potts in the first place.
Esthier on April 16, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Sorry, but Matt is a terrible singer. He is all over the place, and tries too hard. Just keeping it real. Yo.
portlandon on April 16, 2009 at 5:16 PM
I read an article that stated she suffered some sort of brain injury at birth which caused a multitude of problems for her throughout her life (learning disabilities, etc.), and that she was made fun of quite a bit. Also, her parents sheltered her and suggested she not get involved with men for fear of her being taken advantage of. While I do think some of her social awkwardness stems from this brain injury, I have to wonder how much she is awkward because she was so sheltered.
Whatever the cause, she’s got a brilliant voice, and she seems to be a truly delightful woman. Yeah, she’s quirky, but aren’t we all in our own way?
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/tv-showbiz-news/entertainment-news/2009/04/12/brave-singer-in-britain-s-got-talent-tribute-to-beloved-mum-bridget-78057-21273377/
haikusrock on April 16, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Paul Potts will be on the this show (CBS) on 4/25.
So his career still seems to be going well.
lorien1973 on April 16, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Look up a bit … here’s a hint: “Europe”.
If you do a search for “Britain’s got Talent” on youtube and sort by date you will find Paul Pott uploads in the first couple of pages of results. It’s obnoxious how often his stuff gets uploaded.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Does a bear poop in the woods?
Does Nancy Pelosi overuse Botox?
Is O’Bama in way over his head?
Is Ted Kennedy a murdering atheist?(he’s on your side AP)
Will the Mets choke in September?
Some questions just don’t need to be asked.
Don Carne on April 16, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Touring and making albums are not indicators of popularity. The man was an Internet phenomenon. I haven’t seen him on TV since. Have you?
I said “some” not completely. If that weren’t true, you wouldn’t need to Google to prove me wrong.
Esthier on April 16, 2009 at 5:08 PM
_______________________________________________________
LOL
If you say so it must be true.
I have to talk with some of the artists I work with, we got to change the game plan.
Thanks for the heads up./
Old Hippie Vet on April 16, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Yeah, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m American. A European star doesn’t make a world wide star.
Again, you’re talking about doing a search. Media sensations are impossible to escape rather than someone you have to search for. I never said he isn’t still popular. He just doesn’t seem to have kept the phenomenon status he started out with. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that either. I was just making an innocuous comment.
Esthier on April 16, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Nothing “wrong” with her. She’s just a lovely country village girl gone global.
misslizzi on April 16, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Good for her, what a sweet lady. Her final answer really got me.
Tzetzes on April 16, 2009 at 5:28 PM
All I said was that they’re not indicators of how popular someone is. ANYONE can tour. ANYONE can make an album.
And seriously, the person who acts like this woman has an unmatchable voice wants to rail on me for saying Potts has dropped some? Sure.
Esthier on April 16, 2009 at 5:29 PM
lol
Canuck.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:29 PM
She reminds me very much of my very sweet and very unbalanced relative of mine. I think it’s extreme social anxiety. My relative is almost exactly like her, it’s really weird. Except my relative can’t sing like that.
Anyway, I love this lady and hope she gets nothing but success. What a great story.
Proud Rino on April 16, 2009 at 5:29 PM
She’s like a female Jim Nabors.
eaglescout1998 on April 16, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Patti LuPone is tops in my book. I’m glad she took the time to acknowledge Ms. Boyle.
Susan has that ability to not only sing extremely well, she connects with the audience; she’s genuine and humble and I hope she wins it all!
yogi41 on April 16, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I’ve never heard of the other guy (Paul Potts), so I think that Ms Boyle is going to be bigger. My mom actually told me about her yesterday; she was at a brunch with fellow retired teachers and they were all a twitter about this lady. When my mom learns of something before I do, then it is really big.
Illinidiva on April 16, 2009 at 5:32 PM
She made me have to wipe my eyes when I saw the clip Allah posted.
hawkdriver on April 16, 2009 at 5:33 PM
[and all the others making fun of her appearance]
Find a video on youtube which shows the whole thing including the part before and after she sings. She seems quite hip to the modern world. She’s just a bit awkward and not a blond bimbo.
I don’t buy the story from the sunday mail either. British tabloids are notorious for making things up. They put the national enquirer to shame.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:34 PM
That brought tears my eyes. What a voice and what a nice lady she is.
Terrye on April 16, 2009 at 5:34 PM
To the metrosexuals male and female, to the so called elite of both coasts….. STFU…. this is a great story. I’m smiling.
MNDavenotPC on April 16, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Bill Hemmer & Megyn Kelly interviewed her respectfully this am on Fox. Hemmer did get a bit ‘fresh’ with her, offering to give Susan her first kiss… :-) http://tinyurl.com/dxubcj
mbo213 on April 16, 2009 at 5:36 PM
I never heard of Paul Potts either (why am I reminded of Cambodian genocide?), but the first time I heard this woman sing, I got choked up with emotion.
Whatever else anybody might say about her, she can belt out a song.
cruadin on April 16, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Something must be wrong with me…I’ve seen the pics and didn’t look any of this up, looked like somehow this woman would be made fun of. I watched the YouTube clip and I almost misted up.
With all the useless no talent millionaires out there, (Madonna Brittney)
I was shocked as them all.
Hope she wins it all.
LtE126 on April 16, 2009 at 5:37 PM
The Kennedies are Catholics.
MadisonConservative on April 16, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Her brother says she IS shy but she also has slight brain damage from oxygen deprivation at birth.
Link
inviolet on April 16, 2009 at 5:38 PM
What an amazing celebration of life.
Thanks for posting that, AP.
notagool on April 16, 2009 at 5:41 PM
The reason we all loved it was that its Cinderella-at-the-ball.
Its real life Flashdance, Legally Blond, Dave.
Like how we would have felt if Palin had actually been able to turn into Elle Woods instead of Veruka Salt.
strangelet on April 16, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Lovely voice. And being an artist, I find her to be a captivatingly lovely woman too. Such spirit!
RushBaby on April 16, 2009 at 5:41 PM
She awesome. I really enjoy her voice; I hope we hear more of her.
Spirit of 1776 on April 16, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Paul Potts had opera training (with Pavarotti, iirc) and a previous attempt at a career (it was a bit of a scandal in the british media). She’s starting from a much bigger hole. She has to perform well in the next round or nothing will happen for her. Simon is pure business and will be very cruel if she blows it (two or three acts last year felt his wrath).
Still, it seems she’s got the determination and she had a much tougher time from the crowd than Potts did at his first showing.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:42 PM
That’s a man baby!
ronsfi on April 16, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Okay all you naysayers, here is your chance to get noticed;
Post some of your great musical work here so I can take a listen to your greatness and vast musical knowledge. You want to talk the talk, now walk the walk. You remind me of all the music critics I have ever read, ignorant and no talent what so ever but you can trash others for what you can not do. Takes a real big person to do that but I’m calling you out, post something and impress me and the rest of the world! I won’t be holding my breath on that ever happening in my life time. One more thing, making fries at McDonalds and getting an award for it doesn’t count.
Old Hippie Vet on April 16, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Very slight. It’s really hard to see anything but the shyness.
gh on April 16, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Do you speak from experience or is this just a subjective opinion?
As a musician and one who performs, I know that what Susan Boyle accomplished is not such an easy feat, especially with singers. Nerves can get the best of great singers. Given her lack of performing experience, except the karoake in her hometown, and singing live in front on that many people with judges: she was awesome.
Yeah, she might not have a A-rate voice, but she has presence and a “golden” sound. I’ve watched this video four times now and I get emotional each time. Her authenticity and emotion are inescapable.
conservative pilgrim on April 16, 2009 at 5:45 PM
very inspiring… she can sing!
… somewhere a famous crack-berry addict is feverishly dictating his latest edict to his leotard-wearing hench-boy to extend an olive branch of friendship to this next celebrity superstar lest her popularity would outshine his own …
gatorboy on April 16, 2009 at 5:45 PM
This gal is great! She has such a wonderful personality. Hope she gets a record deal..
Equality 7-2521 on April 16, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Answer
ha
pecan pie on April 16, 2009 at 5:46 PM
I bought the Paul Potts CD a while ago and was disappointed. He has a decent voice, but the orchestrations to many of the songs were identical to Il Divo.
eaglescout1998 on April 16, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Jane Hamsher turns this lady into a springboard to a rant over the tea parties.
Classy gal Jane , keep it real
CommentGuy on April 16, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Od Hippie Vet
Couldn’t say it better!
Guess I’m an old hippie vet , too….
Sgt
USMC
Vietnam 1969-1971
MNDavenotPC on April 16, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Too me the tone is that you think she is a “good” singer, maybe adequate, but not great…did I misread your words?
right2bright on April 16, 2009 at 5:56 PM
I looked up the lyrics she sang. Here they are for anyone who’s interested.
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung, no wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
And still I dream he’ll come to me
That we will live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I’m living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.
RushBaby on April 16, 2009 at 5:57 PM
perhaps you failed to comprehend his original post or perhaps you just wear your detest of atheists on your sleeve… but either way, to quote Allah from his original post on this…“a golden voice” I take that as meaning quite a bit more than adequate.
Kaptain Amerika on April 16, 2009 at 5:57 PM
She’s awesomely awesome. To get up on that stage and belt out that song showed a lot of courage and gumption. What’s “wrong” with her is she defines originality in a world of musical clones trying to imitate the latest pop or country star. A breath of fresh air. Bravo, bravo, bravo!
scalleywag on April 16, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Here’s the original Youtube video-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Allahpundit: “I’m not sure what’s ‘wrong’ with her exactly…”
I think the part of her brain that controls self-awareness is totally non-functional. This is evidence by her appearance and the fact that she is clueless about her talent.
I’ve watched the video about 20 times and I cry each time. I wish her the best!
Gormm on April 16, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Maybe, “angelic”, or “sweet”, or “innocent” or “different”…but I don’t know if “wonderful” is the word I would use for her personality.
Certainly refreshing…
right2bright on April 16, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Thanks for that, it was hard to make out all the lyrics on the video.
scalleywag on April 16, 2009 at 5:59 PM
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