The saga of the Singing Cinderella takes yet another turn... This video is her appearance in the semi-finals where the newly crowned champion of underdogs everywhere sang Memories from the musical Cats.
But a very unusual thing is beginning to happen. A backlash has started to take shape. Perhaps overexposure and world-wide adulation has brought additional scrutiny.
It would now seem that Susan Boyle is indeed under a very powerful microscope with people the likes of British pop singing sensation Lily Allen taking shots at her.
Reports say that after watching this performance, Allen placed this message on Twitter, "Susan Boyle is so overrated... I thought her timing was off, no control and I don't think she has an amazing voice."
Now, according to news reports, Boyle herself is starting to crack under the weight of the pressure. She's reportedly been in tears, hounded by tabloid reporters. Piers Morgan, one of the judges, told "The Early Show" that Boyle threatened to leave the show just days before the final because of all the pressure.
But Allen and the other detractors completely miss the point. Since when has stardom been about singing ability? Are Bob Dylan, Madonna, Mick Jagger and Pink great singers?
What's more important is the ability to make a connection with an audience. Susan Boyle has been able to do something quite amazing. She has won the hearts of underdogs everywhere.
She's captured the imaginations of everyone who ever thought they'd love to give singing a try, but were afraid. She's stood up against all odds and broke through, not just into public consciousness, but into public acceptance.
Is she a great singer? That's completely irrelevant. What she represents, is a symbol of hope in all of us who are not big time celebrities, that anything in life is possible.
Total Length: 03:07 Views: 3,050 Comments: 2 Favorited: 0 Rating: 5 Votes: 1
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singing - boyle - voice - susan - susan boyle
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Terry
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Posted 9:54am May 30th, 2009As a piano player/singer, I can tell you from experience that performing for even a small group is not easy, much less a world-wide audience. I'm not surprised this sweet lady is feeling overwhelmed.
To her I say: This is your dream. Whatever happens, you have been a smash hit all over the world. Do your best...that's all anyone can do. You have a beautiful gift to share. Do so.
To her detractors I say: Shut up! Keep the negativity to yourselves. Let Ms. Boyle do her thing. She has earned her shot on this program in spades. Let the chips fall where they may.
Susan, love, you go, girl!! Best of luck!
Terry
Ginger!
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Posted 1:15am May 27th, 2009First of all, I applaud her for having the courage to go after her dream. I was given the opportunity to audition for AGT a couple of years ago, but couldn't convince myself to jump through all the hoops that are involved in these things. These competitions are not nearly as simple as you might think; that you just audition and if you're good you get in and if you're not you don't. That's made painfully obvious by some of the people who have been accepted and some of those who haven't!
I think Susan has a very beautiful voice and the first video I saw of her gave me chills. However, as a singer I have to say I don't think this was the best song choice. What most people don't realize is that you can have an amazing voice, but that doesn't mean that every song you sing is going to be amazing. I was also told recently that the contestants don't always pick their own songs; sometimes they're told what song to do.
I think in the case of Susan Boyle the bottom line is this: too much attention is being paid to her looks and not enough to her talent. If all singing contestants were put behind a curtain and all you could rate was their voice, things would be a lot different. But a person's voice is only one aspect of entertaining.
I completely agree with GB's comment about being able to make a connection with the audience. That has a much more powerful effect than just the voice itself. Garth Brooks himself has stated that he's not the best of singers, but if you've ever watched him in concert you know without question that he's definitely one of the best entertainers we've ever had, and has a tremendous rapport with his audiences. He comes off as a real person, someone who's in tune with (no pun intended) everyday people. That's what endears him to his fans.
At the end of the day it comes down to personal opinion. The average person doesn't know much about music itself, they only know what they like. And we all know that no one is going to please everyone.
I wish her all the best life has to offer, and whether she wins or not, her life will never be the same again.