By Mary Jaksch
Have you ever felt like an ugly duckling and wanted to be a swan? Have you ever felt you could shine – if only you had the opportunity to show your talent? Do you like stories where the underdog wins? Do you love music? Well, here’s a wonderful video for you that can move you to tears.
This is the story of how Susan Boyle, a frumpy forty-seven year old spinster from Scotland fronted up at the TV show “Britain’s got Talent” in her beige Sunday best.
Here’s how USA Today described the event:
Boyle — 47, unglamorous, unfashionable, unknown — faced down a sneering British audience and panel of judges on Britain’s Got Talent, including the ever-sneery Simon Cowell. Then, in an instant, she turned jeers to cheers with her rendition of one of the weepier numbers from Les Misérables. Almost as instantly, Boyle went viral: A clip on YouTube garnered millions of hits.
Click on image below see here in action!
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I was so moved when I watched the video that tears streamed down my face. She is so modest, and so real. And when she sings, you can get a sense that she is pouring herself fully into her song.
What is it about this video that moves us? What do you think?
I think there are three reasons:
1. Susan is the underdog. And it’s wonderful when an underdog wins.
2. She is real and modest. In the tinsel world of TV shows, she stands out as a real person. She is unemployed, has looked after her mother all her life, has never been kissed - and all that falls away when she sings. It’s as if she becomes who she really is when she starts singing.
3. Susan had a dream all her life. And now – at 47 – her dream has become reality. That tells us that it’s never too late to fulfill our dreams.
(If you are reading this as an email, please click on the headline to go to the website so that you can leave a comment)
Related stories:
- Watch Susan’s first TV interview after her hit appearance here.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I think quite a few of my tears were shed due to shame. I look at Susan Boyle and wonder about my own fear and apprehension when it comes to the pursuit of my own goals and dreams.
Am appalled when there were some people mentioned they don’t get the whole Susan Boyle fuss. To them, it was simply one not very good looking woman who can sing – no big deal it seems. I wonder if they would have the same courage as Boyle if they’re the ones in the same situation (and outward appearance).
Winnie Lims last blog post..Resetting my priorities and perspectives due to shame
Hi Winnie!
I showed the video at home. My partner David was watching, and so was an Argentine friend in her early twenties.
We all cried!
It seemed like all the emotions she had stored up in 47 years were released at the moment of singing.
Shame is a interesting take, Winnie. I wonder if others felt the same?
I saw this when it aired on UK TV, and I think she’s amazing. I love that she overturned the audience and judges’ expectations.
chaotic kittens last blog post..Comment Replies (1 of 2)
Hi Chaotic Kitten!
Yes – we have so many expectations and prejudices. It often prevents us from seeing beauty. But in this case the beauty of her voice and expression was so strong that it suddenly overrode the prejudices – a strange moment, eh?
Hiya
I enjoyed reading this.
I think she’s a star and I imagine this event may help create something new in the glamorous world of pop stars.
Ordinary people with incredible gifts just like all of us.
Thanks
Jens
She connects with the Cinderella soul in all of us. Her story reminds us of how crucial it is to listen to others with our hearts and to do our small part to empower every human being to find their voice and do the good they were born to do. Every click, every small act of blog posting or link sending has helped to make Susan’s dream come true – and given millions of people the courage to dream.
(PS Mary, this is attempt number 4 to post a comment. If the spam gobbler lets this through, please delete the others if you find them!)
janices last blog post..Haiku: Showing Essence, Shedding Skins
My friends in Puerto Rico forwarded the video. The thing that moved me was to witness the dazzling change that took place before our very eyes. The Susan Boyle backstage and chatting with Simon Cowell before singing was completely transformed when she stepped into her role as a singer/performer. The beauty of that transformation was breathtaking. As a performer, once she was singing, she was secure, confident, powerful, compelling. This is what connecting with our life purpose and honoring and sharing our true our gifts is all about! Deeply inspiring.
Adrilia V. Pedersens last blog post..Biting the bullet: How to gracefully take on less desirable work
Kudos to Susan Boyle! However, this does raise some uncomfortable questions. What if Susan Boyle couldn’t sing? Would the audience and the rest of us have recognized the shame of deriding a human being? What if Susan Boyle looked a little more glamorous? How many Susan Boyles are there who remain derided? Why does derision spread so quickly in a group?
Kaushiks last blog post..The Paradox of Effort
Hi Jens!
Yes – it would be extraordinary if we could witness someone becoming a star without glamour!
Hi Adrilia!
I agree about the transformation. Susan believes in her singing. You could sense that she is truly herself when she sings.
I was an honour to witness her transformation.
She connects with the Cinderella soul in all of us. Her story reminds us of how crucial it is to listen to others with our hearts and to do our small part to empower every human being to do the good they were born to do. Every YouTube click, every small act of blog posting or link sending has helped to make Susan’s dream come true – and given millions of people the courage to dream.
I watched this when it was shown on TV and was left open mouthed, probably one of the most moving performances I have ever seen. I think this is partly down to the fact it was such a beautiful choice of song to see but also the fact that it was such a surprise.
I reckon your 2nd point hits the nail on the head, she is real as well as modest and unlike a lot of the acts which perform on these talent shows, who spend years fine tuning their “performance”, Susan didn’t perform she did what she enjoys doing and has an exceptional talent for.
Hi Daily Click!
You said: “Susan didn’t perform, she did what she enjoys doing.”
Yes, she obviously loved what she was doing. I thought Susan also had a surprizing talent for performing: she owned the stage and connected with the audience.
It will be interesting to see how her story unfolds.
I saw this yesterday and just had to watch it again. What an inspiration she is!
I was moved by her authenticity (and courage) in the face of everyone else’s judgemental attitudes. Way to prove everyone wrong!
Hi Sami!
I agree – it was amazing to see how she wasn’t crushed at all by all the way audience and panel laughed and jeered as she answered questions before her song. She knew something that they didn’t: that she can REALLY sing!
I don’t feel it was an underdog moment because even I was not rooting for her in the beginning. It was the surprise, the ability for this never-before-heard of 47-year-old woman to be bigger than the audience and judges themselves.
She also gave us the opportunity to vicariously live through her and feel the emotion of proving somebody wrong.
Mark Lewiss last blog post..I’m Not an Expert
God Bless Susan Boyle! She has the courage to be herself and prove others wrong. I wish her all the best.
Hi Mark!
Yes, maybe the ‘underdog’ scenario doesn’t quite play out.
The surprise definitely played a part in all of this. I couldn’t believe it when she started singing!
Hi Carmen!
Yes, I wish her the best too. And I fear for her. I can just imagine all kinds of sharks circling around her. I hope she has wise friends who’s advice she can rely on.
I was just thinking about why Susan Boyle became so famous too.
And I came to a very similar conclusion, though from a slightly different perspective.
When she first walked on, and talked, everybody was against her. You saw the whole audience laugh and sneer.
And then, when she started singing, everybody started cheering, until the whole audience gave her a standing ovation at the end.
It’s the bit about converting skeptics that makes her video especially powerful. Very much like what they use in teleshopping.
If everybody loved her the moment she came on stage, the video wouldn’t be anywhere near as powerful. But seeing her convert an audience of thousands, that’s what really makes us love her.
Anyway, those are my thoughts
.
Vlad Dolezals last blog post..My Two Posts on Other Blogs, Plus a Fun Way to Lift Your Mood in Under a Minute
I’ve found it deeply inspiring.A life lesson shared with the rest of the world.Dreams coming true,and a transformation which shows that we have to be ourselves.God bless her and help her find the right path
Patricias last blog post..La Ecología que nos rodea
Hi Patricia!
Yes, it’s true – we have to become ourselves in order to truly transform. Not become someone else.
What a life lesson!
What a coincidence… Everyone must be talking about her, the “why I cry every time I watch it” question. I found your blog through Terry Heath’s ice cream guest post and my last post was about Susan too.
To add to your reasons why I’ll add this:
Many people wish that after keeping their talents to themselves for too many years that when they finally open their mouths, something as good as this will come out.
Dianas last blog post..I love Susan Boyle
So true. This Susan Boyle piece really moved me. It’s so inspiring to see how the world reacted to it too.
Marc and Angel Hack Lifes last blog post..When Our Stories Hold Us Back
This story is obviously photoshopped, no one is that ugly.
Oh Lauren, your comment is what is ugly. Blogging comments have gotten so… sick, lately. It’s a shame.
Hi Lauren!
Beauty sometimes comes in packages. I suppose the media have trained us to see only superficial beauty – you know, the kind one sees on magazine covers. But that’s not all there is to know about beauty.
Actually, I was amazed to see how at home Susan is on stage and in front of millions of viewers. You or I might get uptight and suffer from nerves. Not Susan. She rose to the occasion and was witty and present. That’s beautiful!
That was in addition to the beauty of her voice.
As I said before, beauty comes in strange packages.
Hi Marc and Angel!
Yes, it fascinates me that the world has sat up and taken notice by something that is so much the opposite of what we perceive ‘glamour’ to be.
It shows me that we are starved of ‘real’ soul food
I am stunned that anyone could leave a comment like Lauren’s on a blog that usually only attracts the most peaceful and positive of souls. You’ve achieved your aim, Lauren, if you’re reading this. We’ve noticed you. You’ve got a reaction. But how sad must you be if you need this kind of attention.
I saw the original show on UK TV. It’s not fake. I’m Scottish. Many of us look like Susan. Many more of us are not appearance obsessed. Ugly is as ugly does. Go watch the film Shallow Hal, Lauren.
Mary- I enjoyed your coverage of Susan Boyle and wanted to share a blog posting from my client, The Responsibility Project, which discusses the theme you touch on about the “ugly duckling.” Many agree that even more remarkable than Susan Boyle’s angelic voice is the attention she’s received for being the unattractive “ugly duckling.” In a blog posted on http://www.ResponsibilityProject.com, award-winning journalist Kathy McManus engages in this debate, asking “Do we have the responsibility to move beyond snap judgments? Is the old adage ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ obsolete?” Go to http://www.responsibilityproject.com/blog/post/susan-boyle/ to see this and other thought-provoking blogs, short films and discussion guides to encourage conversations on responsibility and “doing the right thing.”