Susan Boyle Advances To Next Round On Britain's Got Talent

LONDON — Britain's unlikely singing sensation Susan Boyle, the frumpy church volunteer who wowed the world with her angelic voice, was on Saturday voted into the next round of a TV talent show that propelled her to global fame.

The 47 year old, who lives alone with her cat Pebbles in one of Scotland's poorest regions, will now perform in a live show on Sunday, weeks after her surprising performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables" shocked judges and charmed tens of millions of people worldwide.

Boyle's performance last month on the "American Idol"-style show "Britain's Got Talent" has been viewed almost 60 million times on You Tube, and saw the shy Scot feted by celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore.

The awkward looking Boyle, who says she's never been kissed, was greeted with giggles from a skeptical audience and eye rolls from the show's famously sardonic judge Simon Cowell when she appeared in April _ but startled viewers with her soaring voice.

In an update on her Twitter Web site, Moore wrote that Boyle's voice had "made me teary!"

Cowell and his fellow judges said Saturday that Boyle is among 40 performers they've selected to advance in the competition.

Bookmaker William Hill makes Boyle a runaway favorite to win the final on May 30.

"She had a tremendous reaction because of the phenomenon that is YouTube _ it's now all over the world and she's coping rather well," said the singer's brother, Gerry Boyle. "But I think some of the reality is now starting to sink in."

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The youngest of nine children, Boyle grew up in Blackburn, a community of 4,750 people 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Edinburgh, in Scotland _ a district blighted by unemployment and crime. Boyle had learning difficulties as a child and was bullied by other children.

As an adult, she's struggled for work but had been a regular on her local karaoke circuit and performed in church choirs.

In an interview with The Associated Press at her home last month, she said the death of her mother had inspired her to enter the TV talent show. "I wanted to show her I could do something with my life," Boyle said.

Since then, she's appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and had a makeover, to tame her frizzy gray-tinged hair.

"I think she is coping very well at the moment, she is just Susan. Just as calm as you like. Just carrying on as normal," said Jackie Russell, manager of Boyle's local pub The Happy Valley Hotel, in Blackburn.

Sara Lee, a spokeswoman for "Britain's Got Talent" said that Boyle's performance on Sunday will be available almost instantly on Internet, allowing her international fans a chance to watch the singer's latest appearance.

But she refused to say what song Boyle will perform in the broadcast, which will be screened live in Britain.

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On The Net::

Britain's Got Talent http://www.itv.com

Comments

[Illsun]

All the pressue gets to Susan as she nearly quit the show BGT-
Piers Morgan comes to her defence-
http://www.officialpiersmorgan.com/2009/05/28/in-defence-of-susan-boyle/

[NoVA forObama]

I'd rather listen to Susan ..than these manufactured no-talented lip-synching singers like Brittany,Rihanna

[suemag]

That woman can sing her a** off!

[icall]

thank you for the actual utube link
i've been searching for it since she advanced...
this woman/person, is an inspiration
go susan!

[T Pol]

I might add, I've seen "Cats" twice. Sorry to the condescending critic, but Boyle can hold her own with those I saw on stage. They were a tad more polished, as could be expected, and "prettier" physically, as could be expected.

But voice range and tonal purity...Boyle's that good.

[Brooklyn49]

I agree. I can't remember the last time I was so taken by a a voice.
I also think some people posting here might be missing the truth that it is somewhat hard to separate a voice from the "context" of the person producing that voice -- and "context" includes the person's appearance, background, experience, training, exposure, etc. In Susan Boyle, the world has found a normal-looking woman with a pretty unusual backstory, who has demonstrated that, after years of living a very private life, she has called up a stunning amount of self-confidence and wants to reach for something she has wanted all her life. I think that's a pretty neat thing; and why it prompts some to launch into the how-much-c­an-I-demea­n-and-insu­lt-those-w­ho-disagre­e-with-me dance is beyond me. We're talking about singing here; and, in this instance, we're talking about a singer with a voice that is remarkable especially because it is absent any serious training. And, to be clear, we are talking about a woman who is very different from the packaged/produced performers who have become the norm in the past 20+ years. There's nothing to get snipey about; and there is a lot to love and cheer.

[Beatnikcafe]

Well put!

[T Pol]

Beautiful. Gave me goosebumps. Listening with eyes open or closed, the voice is pure. With eyes open, a joy to see "just a person" unleashing the talent within. Susan, you are beautiful inside and out!

[birchtree3]

This performance was a little shaky but just think of all the pressure to live up to the expectation set by her I Dream A Dream performance. That time the worst that could have happened was a not-known Scottish villager would have gotten sent packing. This time, her reputation as someone famous was a stake. Gawd, I can't even imagine that kind of pressure and trying to control a voice when it is shaking with stomach butterflies..
When she let it rip at 2:24, I got goose bumps.....that tells me I was touched by something beautiful. You go girl. I'll buy your cd.

[passionatewives]

see this article about susan boyle, first impressions, dating and marriage. http://www.examiner.com/x-4793-DC-Marriage-Advice-Examiner~y2009m4d21-Susan-Boyle-phenomenon-first-impressions-dating-and-marriage

[Rangergirl]

Glad that she advanced....She did seem nervous at the start....Hope she picks a better song for the next round...This song didn't do her great voice justice.....She sang Cry me a River Did a great job on that.....Don't sing Memories for the final....GO SUSAN>>>>>>>Hope you win.......­.........E­ven if you don't Millions will buy your album....I know I will.....

[MadHeart]

I suppose all those critics of Susan Boyle would rather watch and listen to a narcissistic, half-naked, immature mother of 2, Britney Spears, who can't sing her way out of a paper bag. Too much of American popular culture is just plain nasty.

[rbarry647]

Just watched her performance of Memory - it was good but not great in my opinion, she seemed nervous.
Glad she was advanced tonight to the next round - certainly want to hear more from her.

[unwashedmasses]

But she sure doesn't look 'frumpy' anymore.
She was tentative in the beginning, but really lets it rip in the end.
A long way for her to come in such a short time. Give her a break!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5WXTefb6kc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwatching-tv.ew.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fsusan-boyle-bri.html%3Fxid%3Drss-feed-todayslatest-Susan%2BBoyle%2Badvances%2Bon%2B%2527Tale&feature=player_embedded

[KayJay90]

Indeed -- her "makeover" did wonders for her. She looks like she could be an opera singer on holiday, "slumming" with the amateurs!

It's a shame that she wasn't discovered as a young girl, and someone sponsored her voice training with perhaps an opera career as a goal.

[winterclaire]

Wow, the trolls are out in full force on this one! Never you mind...Susan Boyle has more class, dignity, and talent than the lot of you cynical arses thrown together.

[Legof Eel 1]

Does anyone know if Boyle is a lesbian? She is single and hasn't had had many relationships with men.

[unwashedmasses]

OH, GIVE IT A REST !

[notyouraveragebear]

Who cares?

[Legof Eel 1]

My gay friends care. She could become a spokesperson for gay rights and challenge Miss California to a debate.

[KodeBloo]

Then that makes you gay, too, right?

[newsjunky]

That comment is pathetic. I suggest you get a life, that's not centered in the gutter.

[DKLabRat]

I'm delighted that Susan has had the success she has had. But does anyone else agree with me that perhaps she should have bowed out of the show? She has achieved her dream of fame, fortune and a singing career already. I can't help thinking someone else should have been given the chance who hasn't yet made it.

[BlackYowe]

What? That is crazy talk.

[INTUITE]

It's more than crazy, it's a losers lament. Dream on! The best wins, as it should be.

[chevyval]

It's a competition. She wants to win - she didn't ask for the media attention.

[MissElaineous]

You probably think that Franken should bow out to Coleman, too...

[ZimboChick]

'Boyle's performance last month on the "American Idol"-style show "Britain's Got Talent" '

ummm no....... its the equivalent of America's Got Talent. American Idol is equivalent to X Factor. Don't just copy and paste