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How Susan Boyle Won My Heart
Piers Morgan, judge of Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent, on the extraordinary moment when he first saw new music sensation and YouTube phenom Susan Boyle. Plus, his response to a certain proposition from her.
Admit it, when you first started watching the YouTube clip of Susan Boyle standing on the stage of the U.K. TV show Britain’s Got Talent, a smile came over your face. Not, I suspect, a smile of expectant pleasure that you were about to hear the second Elaine Paige, who Susan declared was her hero. But a smile of expectant horror and amusement at what I think most of us assumed would be about to happen—that, let’s face it, Susan’s singing might be rather more akin to that of a noise made when a lobster is being slowly boiled alive.
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As one of the three judges on that show (I also judge America’s Got Talent), I can remember the moment like it was yesterday.
We were at a big theater in Glasgow, Scotland, back in January.
It had been a long, hard day at the audition coalface, with very little talent on display.
Then Susan bounced on stage, full of tartan bonhomie, and the reaction was instantaneous: 3,000 people laughed their heads off, me and my co-judges, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, stifled a chuckle, and the clear message from our collective expressions was "This is going to be a car-crash performance of epic proportions."
Susan, if you’re reading this, then here’s the deal: You promise to sing for me, and share half the profits of the album sales heading your way, and I’m all yours.
And then Susan Boyle began to sing.
And within just a few seconds, the joke was suddenly on us.
I can honestly say it was one of the most extraordinary moments in my perhaps equally unlikely career as a talent-show judge.
Because Susan is not just a good singer, she’s a fantastic singer. Someone whose stunning range, tone, and delivery is worthy of comparison to anyone—the great Elaine Paige included.
Her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables was almost perfect. Yet she has never sung professionally; in fact, she has barely sung out of her tiny village in a remote part of Scotland.
Susan is about as amateur as they come. And at 48 years old, she knew this was probably her last chance at making the big time.
Boy, did she take that chance!
As I watched this astonishing scene unfurl again when the show aired in Britain on Saturday night, I texted Simon in Hollywood: "My god, Susan was even better than I remembered—she’s unbelievable." He agreed, and I could almost feel his beady little eyes going ‘KERCHING!’ down the line from his new Beverly Hills mansion.
For, unless I am a brainless aardvark—which might, sadly, be true—then this lady is going to sell a lot of records once the series is over.
And she deserves to. Because Susan represents the purest essence of what a great TV talent show should be all about.
Like the opera singer Paul Potts before her, her appearance and demeanor never suggested for one moment that she could possibly have such a huge talent.
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
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Piers Morgan worked as a gossip columnist for the Sun before going on to edit the News of the World and then the Daily Mirror, where he stayed until 2004 when he was sacked following his decision to publish photos of British soldiers apparently abusing Iraqi prisoners of war. Since then, he shot to fame as a judge on the top-rated show America's Got Talent and was the first winner of Celebrity Apprentice. His new book, God Bless America: Misadventures of a Big Mouth Brit has just been published.
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Piers Morgan worked as a gossip columnist for the Sun before going on to edit the News of the World and then the Daily Mirror, where he stayed until 2004 when he was sacked following his decision to publish photos of British soldiers apparently abusing Iraqi prisoners of war. Since then, he shot to fame as a judge on the top-rated show America's Got Talent and was the first winner of Celebrity Apprentice. His new book, God Bless America: Misadventures of a Big Mouth Brit has just been published.
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Piers Morgan worked as a gossip columnist for the Sun before going on to edit the News of the World and then the Daily Mirror, where he stayed until 2004 when he was sacked following his decision to publish photos of British soldiers apparently abusing Iraqi prisoners of war. Since then, he shot to fame as a judge on the top-rated show America's Got Talent and was the first winner of Celebrity Apprentice. His new book, God Bless America: Misadventures of a Big Mouth Brit has just been published.
Embers
Susan Boyle has me actually interested in buying CDs again. I will definitely purchase her album when it comes out. Good for her!!
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sierra
Me too! It's been since FOREVER that I've bought a CD...I prefer to download individual songs on iTunes, but I would absolutely buy one of her CDs, and I would travel to see her sing in concert.
And Piers....I'd not ever watched the America's Got Talent (I'm from the U.S.), so I'd not heard of you, but I have to say that I've been watching this thing unfold and it's just wonderful. I'll never stop loving that moment on all of your faces when she belted out the first line of that song. It's was an incredible moment! Looking forward to following the rest of the show!
Maryellenlee
I agree with Piers about Susan. Her talent is topnotch. She and Piers have Aries energy in common...that feisty, outspoken, tell-it-like-it is personna! I know what I'm talking about because I have my moon and mars in Aries! Piers will be comfortable promoting her.
amapola101
I have watched her sing 7 times, I have told everyone to watch her sing.!!! My G-d,isnt this a beautiful story!!!!. At first they were just laughing at her, and she could care less, and her warmth and friendliness, and laughter,with everyone. this is one of the greatest singers ever heard.!!!It puts all of us, worried about looks, style, shapes, designs,weight, everything to shame.!!!!.Exactly as Pierce Morgan said,... The joke was on us!!!I personally hate the cruelty of the program many times. But just because they offered her,a stage to sing to the world I am a Simon FAN.!!! Heart warming,we all need to see and hear this.AN. AMAZING VOICE&AMAZING Woman.Can't wait to see and hear more of her.Fantastic that the Daily Beast made this one of the main stories.Just Fascinating.!!!!
amapola101
This is what a real human being is made of.Or we should all be like this lady,its not just her voice, it was all of her.!!As they say Beauty is in the eyes of the Beholder, after she started to sing SHE BECAME GORGEOUS,JUST GORGEOUS!!It is a beautiful world after all.!!when we can hear a voice like this.
Mixpixlix
It's unfortunate that you don't have the decency to apologize to Ms. Boyle and all the other less than perfect people who live in this world along with you.
It seem you and the other judges didn't learn anything from Paul Potts and I believe there was a youngester who also proved that looks are not an indicator of talent or skill.
Reports say that Ms. Boyle looked after her parents, is a compassionate person, volunteers at her church and is always willing to lend a helping hand. I doubt such praise will ever be said about you and the other "judges."
"Judge not lest ye be judged", seem real appropriate right about now.
amapola101
Mixpixlix, were you saying these things to me or to the writer of the article??In no way was I at any moment making fun of this beautiful lady.I was saying that the show does that alot and that is why, I ,when thousands of people like it, I refuse to watch it because they are cruel. They could be judges, but cruelty is not needed. But like in the Roman, times, people enjoy the show. I started, to watch her because something in me said, Dont change this chanel,she is going to show all of them.I think she is beautiful and an amazing Human Being. and I started to cry, because she showed all, what inner beauty and talent is,and that all who laugh are ugly.I am not perfect either.
Mixpixlix
I was definitely NOT aiming my comments at you. When I wrote them there were no other comments posted.
I do not watch reality shows, punked programs, etc., as I find no humor or joy in humilating and embarrasing others.
Ms Boyle's story should be a lesson for all.
amapola101
Where did my 2 coments, go they do not show up.amapola101
joymars
Ms. Boyle better get an agent/manger FAST because all kinds of media outlets will be using her for ratings -- they already are!
She needs protecting from over-exposure and rotten venues.
Someone with a bona fide showbiz reputation please step up!
amapola101
I believe Simon is already getting her a contract, or finding her an agent.!!!He cannot laugh now, he will become her producer.But as much as I trully deslike his cruelty, and that must be one of the reasons, that people love this show,This show has offered opportunity to hundreds,and made them famous. I would never have the courage to go on a stage, and have people laugh or criticize me, like they do to some.But alot of my friends, say, that I miss the point, THEY ARE WINNERS JUST BECAUSE THEY ATLEAST HAD THE OPPORTUNITYTO GO ON TV>GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!
WorkerBee
You do know that Simon's contracts are slave contracts? They are heavily in his favor and very little for the artist.
trends4life
Have any of you heard of Michelle McManus?
wmaaytah
Sublime, no less!
We all got a lesson to learn when it comes to judging a book by its cover, and what a magnificent book we discovered her to be.
january13a
Piers and Simon,
When I saw the tape of her audition, I cried. I beg of you, don't change a thing about her. Her hair, her eyebrows, her dress, her lovely face with no makeup. I think she's an angel- the kind that God sends down to remind us of our humanity and humility. She gave me faith again when all I seem to see around me is dreck and perverse.... stuff that is meant to shock and in turn, desensitize all of us so that we just don't see all the great things that the world has to offer, if we would just look and find..... a Susan Boyle.
debbieqd
Well said, january13a. No one should even TRY to change or ruin this angel of a woman. We want to love her just the way she is.
traci747
Piers, you are rude jerk. Seriously. Your sassy (but not funny) comments on her appearance and your assumed prediction of her LACK of talent talent based solely on her appearance are just shameful.
Blonde hair, blue eyes and a 36-24-36 figure will not get you into Heaven. Nor will it make you happy. Being a good person, that is something to be proud of.
Snowlady
Right on Traci and it disgust me that his girlfriend would say "is she blind" what does she have to offer? She'll never be the kind of person Susan is. Her remark angers me and it's not something Piers should repeat.
traci747
And btw, why would she pay your lazy ass (or anyone else's lazy ass) a 50% commission of her sales? Is that a joke?
terry332
I totally agree that someone should step-up and get this lovely lady away from Simon and his horrible contracts.
She needs someone to protect her & her God given voice.
Give her a REAL recording contract and not make a slave to the touring road of her. She's too fragil and too good for that tour of Simons. Just saying.............
hdj8501
The hair on the back of my neck stands up every time I see her! Susan Boyle is beautiful! My musical taste begins and ends with Diana Ross with some stops along the way at Cher and Madonna but I gotta tell you, I want to be the first person in line when Susan's first CD is released! You go girl!
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Derida
Why is Piers so proud to say he laughed at her? I am amazed that Piers and his fellow talking brainless idiots keep insulting her like that. Funny when I see a woman who is botoxed, bleached, implanted and liposuctioned the first things I think of is that she is fake, talentless and dumb. I can understand the tatooed youngish audience responding to her age- but take a second look at the ugly giggling freaks in the audience. Journalists please stop with the references to her plain looks.
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