Well a month later this story is still running strong. Here in Scotland every day there is a news article in the press, from the haircut, the dressing gown, the previous TV appearance, the charity CD through to what song she might sing next. The YouTube clip that has seen the interest in her spread around the world is fast becoming the most viewed clip of all time in YouTube history, ITV.com has had a 700% increase in traffic on their own website and until a deal is struck between Google & ITV/ Simon Cowell the lost revenue is estimated to be about a million pounds, which would certainly cover any recording contract or costs & gives an insight into how these shows work & really is a win win situation for all involved.
So why all the fuss? Half the joy is seeing the judges preconceptions shift as Susan Boyle demonstrates that even a 47 year old spinster can have the proverbial voice of an angel. A lot has been made of the audience reaction being ugly & only too keen to dismiss her as an artist purely for the way that she looks, I think a better adjective would be sceptical, the sniggering didn't start until the embarrassing shimmy of the hips & the sexual innuendo (this from someone who's never been kissed). Of course in hindsight half of these characteristics add to her appeal coupled with the fact that we love to support the underdog & celebrate the rags to riches story but the truth of the matter is, in this modern day media driven world that we live in image is more important than ever. It doesn't matter if you are a singer, an actor or even serving in a shop or a bar, first impressions rightly or wrongly influence us all. In the same way that you'd never expect to see Robbie Coltrane play James Bond you'd expect your average international singing diva to a bit more glamorous than Susan. Half of the story / reaction to her performance is it was the last thing you'd expect when she walked out onto that stage but if she'd been drop dead gorgeous would we still be talking about it now? I think not.
There is no doubt that Susan Boyle can sing & has a good voice but is it a great voice? Her closest comparison would be Paul Potts the first winner of Britain's got talent in 2007. Potts too did not conform to the stereo typical image but surprised everyone with his rendition of Nessun Dorma & went on to sell 3.5 million copies of his debut album going to number 1 in 15 countries but I think you'd be hard pushed to find anyone that had been classically trained to agree that he was any better than the thousands of graduates singing in chorus's up & down the UK. The music business is rare in that someone with less talent can have a bigger career that someone with more talent. Luck, location & determination plays as big a part as any talent.
So what next for Susan Boyle? The bookmakers have slashed her odds of winning to 2/5 although thankfully for the producers there looks like being a couple of contenders that will give her a run for her money. There will be numerous more TV interviews & appearances. Oprah has sent a film crew to Scotland, her idol Elaine Page is talking of a duet and she's already turned down the chance of dinner with President Obama. The album will be rolled out at the end of the series come win or loose and no doubt will be a huge hit for all involved, I wish Susan the greatest success & hope that her & the cat Pebbles will be very happy, she should certainly milk it the max but singing sensation?
Don't believe the hype!
Watch the audition & pre interview here:
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