First of all, I thought that Susan’s CD is amazing,it’s just beautiful. Especially her cover of Wild Horses. Many people that I’ve known bought her CDs and we play them eveyday, Yes, everyday. Her voice is addictive,just like taking drug. Secondly,she didn’t have a breakdown during the New York tour. She was just touched by the reception she got from her fans in US(they gave her a hand-made gift). Thirdly, Susan is not ugly, she has mild learning disability,that is why she looks the way she does(People who were born with the same condtion usually have PHYSICAL DISABILITY). If you look at her recent performances,she looks so beautiful w/the right hair style, make up & dress. Please see her current photos from her performance
in San Remo, Italy (she is 48 yrs old) http://photos.popeater.com/television/susan-boyle-snapshots/72747

I think it is sad when we label people (“ugly”)….who decides this!!!

Shame on people who make this judgements.

The point is not “isn’t it incredible that this ugly person is good at something?” I suppose that it is for some, but for most the point is “isn’t it incredible that this ugly person made all these petty people put their feet in their mouths?”

When I first saw that video, I thought her performance was great of course, but I didn’t post it to my blog because of that. I posted it because of the people in the audience, who were absolutely shocked that someone like Susan Boyle could be so talented. They were rather cruel to her when she was on the stage, and even laughed at her right to her face. I felt angry, not just at them, but at the way society behaves today towards talented people who are unattractive. It’s gotten to the point where I feel ashamed to live in a time where a person’s looks is what gets them fame and popularity, instead of real actual talent.

Despite the fact that she is not an incredible singer as she first appeared, Susan Boyle has inspired millions of people, many of which are just like her; older, unattractive, or as you put it, “ugly” and “asexual,” to rise above not only the pettiness of this industry, but the world at large, and actually try for what they dream.

Unfortunately, as time goes by it has become clear that you don’t have to be talented to be popular, so long as you have a pretty face and a personal trainer. Voices can be digitally enhanced to make even the worst singer sound amazing. Why then trash on someone who actually has a decent voice? Instead of knocking her down, we should be praising her for being bold enough to share it with the world. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to get up there on stage with the entire audience laughing at her before she even got started.

Yes, she may be just a media puppet, but aren’t so many of our stars, past and present? I can think of a decent handful. All of them have been young and attractive, many of which were not very talented. It’s incredibly difficult for someone like Susan Boyle to get even their 15 minutes of fame. She has presented something to the world that has changed the way people look at talent, and that is why her album is so popular, not because she’s ugly but because people empathize with her on a deep emotional level. She wasn’t just singing for herself. She was singing for all of us.

Personally I would like to see your photo. I would bet a sum of money that you are not what you would call “ugly” or “asexual” because if you were, I bet your opinion of Susan Boyle would be very different.

The message I got from her competition video was that, as naturally as we are inclined to do so, we should not judge people by appearances alone. I’m not a fan of her vocal style and would not choose to sit down and listen to her music, but wish her the best.

Poor Johannah,
Not getting enough attention? Got to make someone pay?

Susan Boyle is no Pavarotti (who wasn’t a Hollywood picture himself) but her story gave many
“ordinary” people a greater “possibility” for themselves. Is that not worth something? If a rugby team can inspire a nation (see film “Invictus” ), why not someone who really has had to battle through life- like so many of those who are now inspired by her story and her songs. Itty bitty pretty things and big ,foul mouthed thuggy things with little vocal ability sell cds too and good on them for getting out there and having a go.

I don’t know, I like Susan Boyle’s voice. But even though I wouldn’t necessarily buy her album, I say good for her if she’s achieved to get some fame and positive attention in her life. How many “beautiful” singers do you know actually have the beautiful voice to match their physical appearence? What, because they’re beautiful, we tolerate their average voice better because at least we gain something from looking at them?

I don’t think anyone “deserves” fame more than another, no matter how they achieve it. And yeah, in many cases, is has to do with something other than talent. Who cares.

Shame on you for being so mean spirited! Your critique had little to do with the technicalities of her voice and performance and more to do with you whining about how you don’t like her and she’s ugly. It seems that people resort to name calling when they have nothing intelligent to say. Your comments weren’t witty, just mean.

Thanks for your opinions re Susan Boyle. Rest assured I’ll file them where they belong. Me and 8 million plus others who find her neither ugly nor untalented. Now if you want to talk ugly, let’s take this ‘article’ you’ve written……………

You know, I love how this article criticizes Boyle for her perceived “mental instability” exhibited with instant fame. Has it ever occurred to you that anyone encountering sudden fame who suddenly finds tons of people saying that she only got famous because she is “ugly” and “asexual” would be likely to have a breakdown? I bet you would have a breakdown too if you were constantly faced with criticism of the kind you put in your article. It is truly appalling.

I am not part of our culture, and never have been, even with a very famous, rich father and hardly ugly.

And I find Susan Boyle a lot more appealing than I do Elaine Paige. Not because Elaine is ugly and Susan beautiful, but because Susan has the ability to transform from the nowhere, and totally ordinary, and unsophisticated, into beauty once she starts singing; passionate, and really touching people. Not an ordinary voice but a truly great one. It’s the passion that makes her.

(Plus, opening our eyes to our sick culture without even trying)

Katrin

Her voice is excellent. Why is that so hard to admit?
I’ve played her CD for friends who had no idea what she looked like and they were impressed with that voice. More than that she is one of those singers who opens up and lets you see their inner person while singing. That rarer than a good voice. People like that. She is very genuine and we are tired of fakes. Also we (her fans) like that inner person. We like that personality. Final reason. We saw during the backlash that a vulnerable person was being unjustly and viciously attacked. Kind of makes you take that persons side. If those who critique the album were actually critiquing it I wouldn’t mind. But people say stuff that is so unreal. Oh she is not really ugly. I’ve seen real ugly and this isn’t it. Even if it were saying someone is ugly, which they can’t help, is ugly behavior and makes people wonder if your mamma raised you right. I know some of us(her fans) go overboard but the attacks have gone so overboard that we have become hypersensitive. More bashing behavior will not help us regain perspective. The exercise of some journalistic ethics would be more likely to do that.

You my dear are an idiot. Susan has a beautiful voice, and has inspired many in the world.
Why don’t you have a photo of yourself at the heading of this nasty article? Afraid someone will find you as looking as ugly as the ugly words you spew. If you had half of the talent that Susan has, perhaps you might be found to be worth paying attention to. Get a life!!!!!!!