Academic

Susan Boyle

By Gordon Smith, Christine, Hurt, Vic Fleischer, Fred Tung, Lisa Fairfax, David Zaring

Even though this video is only a week old, I am rather late to the party. But in the event you haven't seen Susan Boyle, you simply must watch this performance. It is the most shocking and unexpected performance I have ever seen. Absolutely jaw dropping.

Some of the moving backstory from The Mirror:

Her ordeal saw her seek comfort in singing - a talent she discovered when she was five.

Spinster Susan - who has never had a boyfriend - said: "I was born with a disability and that made me a target for bullies. I was called names because of my fuzzy hair and because I struggled in class.

"I told the teachers, but because it was more verbal than physical I could never prove anything. But words often hurt more than cuts and bruises and the scars are still there."

...

The singer said: "I still see the kids I went to school with because we all live in the same area.

"They're all grown up with children of their own. But look at me now - I've got the last laugh."

Susan went on the talent contest to fulfil a fervent wish of her late mother Bridget, who died in 2007.

She revealed: "Mum loved the show and used to tell me I should put my name down and that I'd win it if I did.

"But I never thought I was good enough. It was only after she died that I plucked up the courage to enter.

"It was a very dark time and I suffered depression and anxiety. But out of the darkness came light. I realised I wanted to make her proud of me and the only way to do that was to take the risk and enter the show."

...

Susan confirmed: "I've been for a meeting with Sony BMG but I can't say much about it. It's early days and I'm taking baby steps. Simon [Cowell]'s a good man. I trust him and I'd be happy to work for him."

Susan lives alone in the four bedroom council house where mum Bridget and dad Patrick - who died 10 years ago - raised her and nine brothers and sisters. She even sleeps in the same room she had as a child.

She admits she regrets never finding romance and having a family of her own. She said: "I've never been kissed.

"If someone even pecked me on the cheek it would be nice but I've never even got that close. My parents didn't want me to have boyfriends so I've never been on a date. I've had crushes but I've never been in love.

I suppose I've accepted it's never going to happen.

"The only thing I really do regret is not having children. I love kids and would have liked to have been a mum."

Ok, I'll admit it. That made me teary. I am a Susan Boyle fan.

Full post as published by Conglomerate on April 18, 2009 (boomark / email).