While I agree the whole thing is blown out of proportion, and Simon's reaction is certainly staged (as is everything on Simon's various talent shows), I also think there is still plenty of genuine reaction to a pretty neat story.
The crowd's reaction isn't staged - they're derisive and then become overwhelmed.
And I agree the singing isn't the best there ever was, but it's still pretty cool that this lady, who had a ho-hum, possibly quite sad life. She spent years taking care of her mom as k7iegirl said; I believe she has some health issues from being deprived of oxygen when she was young... This doesn't make her a saint, but everyone likes a good underdog story.
Sure, it's kind of shocking how far it's gone, and the porn offer is just plain ridiculous, but why begrudge folks a feel-good tale in these sh***y times?

I'm with K8iegirl. It is inspiring that a truly decent person is getting her chance to shine. It's inspiring for someone to stand out on that stage and hear the snickers and laughter but still perservere. I probably would have run off the stage or be so upset the song would have sounded like crap.

The media is going apeshit over her but I cannot control that. All I know is that when I heard her sing I cried. I cried for everyone who has been made fun of. I cried for those who never have enough confidence to go after their dreams. She could have, just as easily, been a train wreck but it she wasn't. She had hope and talent and that is inspirational to me.

You forgot one of the most important reasons:

This same exact scenario JUST happened last year! Am I the only person that remembers Paul Potts? It's ridiculous how no one's calling them out on this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEo5bjnJViA

Yes, I was amazed when I heard her sing, and touched watching the audience's reaction - from rolling their eyes to awestruck. But while I'm no professional and never watch Idol, etc., doesn't she have a pretty amazing voice?? I have to think there's not a whole lot of untrained people sitting around in their living rooms who are able to sing that rather challenging song THAT well. I agree with all the other points about how crazy this has gotten, but was surprised so many of you think her voice isn't really that good...

She's not THAT good? How well can YOU sing, Jerk?

Curious, I'm a working singer, and yes, her voice is awfully damn good. What it isn't, is the best voice of our time, or anything like that. There are hundreds if not thousands of people scratching out a living as musicians who are just as good. That's impressive as hell for someone who's untrained, but it's not a miracle.

Re: The crowd reactions...

There's a very good chance that they're faked. Its how these shows work. They film audience reactions during the entire show and then splice them in for dramatic effect to convey whatever they want. Think of every comedy special you've ever seen.

That girl in the audience rolling her eyes could have been reacting to some other dumb act or even a judge's remark, and they decided to put it in there to convey "oooh the audience thinks she'll suck"

I can't speak for where the writer lives, but on Planet Earth, if you're attractive, you're presumed to be competent at the task at hand, whatever it is; and you're given many more second chances.

If you're unattractive, you're presumed to be a loser who is, at best, taking up airspace that could be better filled with photos and stories of mimbos and bimbos, many of which populate craptacular shows that TWoP deems re-cap worthy.

I have to say that I agree with Mindy for the most part. It's ironic that everyone's clamoring to love all over her, saying that her looks don't matter and all. But if they really didn't matter, I don't think there'd be such a fuss.

And really? I thought the reactions and the whole media circus is very back-handed. She's being told, "Wow! We thought you'd totally suck hardcore because you're an uggo, but you're actually a pretty good singer!"
Sad circumstances with her ma aside, this whole thing is total dross. She's an unfortunate-looking woman who can sing better than people thought she could. This is hardly deserving of all the hyperbole and for christ's sake, a porn? Come on.

I agree with Ben,
The first thing I thought of when I heard about Susan was how this has happened before on the same show, with Paul Potts. Everyone has seemed to forget about him though.
So I think that is why I am not as excited or moved by Susan Boyle, I feel as if in a short amount of time people will forget about her too.

I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to disagree with the "She's not that good" Do you have any idea how hard that song is to sing? How many different keys are involved? It's also the moment in time that she represents-people are feeling a little unmoved by things, they just seem to need something to be inspired by-since when did that become a bad thing? When did that warrant an analysis of it? When did we become so cynical that we need a top 5 of why we're over a story that's been around for a week and a woman that seems to be harmless and happy? Normally I love the snark-hell go after Taya or Speidi or whatever else, but this just seems slightly misplaced here. It makes me kind of feel that all you're looking for is something to be snarky about and not a pop culture analysis at all. So is a staged reaction better or worse than an article aimed to cement the backlash on a harmless, nice story?

I think she's inspiring for what she tells us about ourselves, our stereotypes and our culture. For herself, well she's just a normal person with strengths and weaknesses getting on in the world as best as possible. Good on her.

Thanks Kathyrn and others - it makes a lot of sense. guess I just wish I could sing like that!!
And Ben, on the crowd reactions - you just reminded me why I haven't watched reality TV since the first Survivor season, when I realized I had been manipulated the whole way by editing.
I am curious to hear what she chooses for her next performance, and will be looking for it on YouTube, regardless of what she looks like. And today's news already has word of another amazing performance this weekend from a kid, so this story may be over sooner than we thought.

Mindy, let me list the things that "inspire" me about Susan Boyle:

1. She took care of her sick mother for almost 20 years and, outside of church and the occasional karaoke pub, has had no social life.
2. She has been picked on and laughed at by kids in her town for years and has maintained a cheerful disposition.
3. She's had to contend with a learning disorder which must have limited her options after high school.

As for the people who think that "she's not that good", hearing a classic, mature voice singing a song written by, and for, grownups must have been a new experience for them.

Here's why I disagree with you completely: I saw her video, well before the media exploded the story, and I was genuinely touched by it, and so were my friends who saw the video. It wasn't because entertainment shows told me that it was touching, or because Simon Cowell made it look like his heart melted while watching her sing. It was because it was genuinely moving that this obviously talented woman is 47 years old and was never given a chance before, obviously because she wasn't a gorgeous Hollywood-type hottie. And now she's finally getting that chance she's always wanted, without changing anything about herself.

So I don't begrudge her this experience that you call "Susan Boyle Crap". She totally deserves the attention her talent has given her.

What I found inspiring was not so much her voice--although it's good. What I found inspiring was that the crowd changed so completely simply because of her voice.

Maybe it was false, but I'm not so cynical as to think that. From the way the audience was acting, I suspect that there had been a number of silly contestants before this and they were primed to consider Susan Boyle just another ridiculous person. Of course, we know better watching the video, because something that popular is not going to be just another stupid auditioner. She's either going to be spectacularly bad or spectacularly good.

Why are we going nuts over a homely, feisty Scottish woman with a pretty good voice? Maybe it's the Sea Biscuit effect. There's been a world-wide malaise for a number of months and we clutch for any inspiration we can get.

After all, is it any less inspirational to have a dumpy middle-aged spinster enthrall a crowd with her singing than for a black man to become president of the U.S.?

Adam Markovitz on EW.com shares Mindy's opinion. He calls Boyle a "competent, but by no means extraordinary singer" who as a "decent voice". He even complains about the PYTs (pretty young things) on American Idol who don't get enough attention. Of course, pretty young girls have SUCH a hard time getting anyone to pay attention to them.

Check it out. Susan Boyle: What's the big deal? on EW.com.

I'm sorry, but I have to side with Mindy on this one and I'm glad someone finally said it! I don't have anything against Susan and I do think she's a very good singer...but the whole "she's so great I cried when I heard her singing!" it's a bit exagerated for me. I just thought she was very good, not out of this world.
And I'm sure she's a lovely woman, she seems nice enough, but not an "inspiring" story. She did have to take care of her mom, true, but 20 years and not be able to have a life? Hmmm....probably by choice or has a martyr complex. Specially since she mentioned having other siblings. Whatever the deal is, I don't blame her, I blame the media. But I don't think it's such an amazing story, I don't even think she's that ugly! She's normal looking, I know people who look like that. Hmmm...maybe I AM very ugly too!!
I wish her well, and I hope she can make some money out of this without getting eaten by the press in the process.

Mindy, you are dead on target. I enjoyed Boyle's soaring vocals, and the first thing I thought of was Paul Potts' similar performance. It seems a formula: take fat homely Brits and let them sing their hearts out. As for the "never been kissed" line, that is also part of an old saying... sometimes not meant to be taken literally. As you correctly point out there's always a man who would get with any woman as long as she's alive and willing. So if Boyle literally hasn't been kissed, it is by her choice. Question is are we, as a nation, as a people, that desperate for something or someone to "look up to"? Perhaps we should try looking closer to home, in our own individual lives for these apparently needed role models.

It was only a matter of time before some cynical voice had to emerge about this story. There has to be "it's popular so I must turn my nose up at it" take so that the rest of us can be reminded about what easily manipulated chumps we are.

Susan Boyle is inspiring because (1) her confidence (2)her personality (3) and that she didn't give up her dream. I'm 44, so seeing her turn her dream into reality reminds me to hold onto mine. I didn't see her as unattractive--she broke the convention that a "star" has to look a certain way.

I don't care if she gets a makeover--maybe she's always wanted one. Maybe she's happy just the way she is. I am a little tired of how some are treating her as sort of quaint. That says more about us and our culture than her.

I'll never forget that she stood on that stage with a big smile on her face KNOWING that she would "rock" the audience. She didn't even feel the need to stick around and hear the judges comments--she fulfilled her dream and was done. Who cares if the judges' reactions were fake. My reaction was real.

But we've never been explained exactly what's her condition, she seems completely normal to me. And no, it's not the youngest's role to take care of the aging parents all by themselves, unless the others are SOB. And 20 years?? If you don't manage to get a life for yourself in all that time, I don't think it's anyone else's fault but yours. And it was never mentioned that she had a bad life, just because she had that experienced with her mom doesn't mean she was miserable. She probably enjoyed being with her mom because she loved her.
Everyone has had difficult choices in life and we try to make the most of it. The whole "I've never been kissed" tells me she's not as innocent as she may wants us to beleieve, because seriously, if she hasn't, would you go around and share this on TV?? Seemed a bit manipulative of hers.
But regardless, she may have had a very sacrificed life, and it was very nice of her to help her mom like that. And again, she does seem like a nice person. And now she can sing very well. Good. I just don't find it worlwide "inspiring". The whole deal is just cause she's not that pretty, and it's an exageration, because she's not that ugly either. She is NORMAL looking.

She has a lovely voice, and I'm happy for her, but at this point I'm really, truly sick of reading about her. This whole thing feels like a manipulative publicity stunt. If they gave a damn about her, they wouldn't have played the "pathetic reality contestant" music when she first came onstage, and the judges wouldn't have rambled on about how everyoe was against her because of how she looked, like, I'm sure that made her feel great. I've read posts on another site saying that she is an angel, and her voice is a gift from God sent to guide us. Multiple posts. People, please calm down.

ChocButterfly, yes, it is traditionally the role of the youngest daughter -- in Europe, and up until about 60 years ago, in America -- to take care of aging parents if they required it.

I think it's lovely that Miss Boyle got to fulfill a dream of hers. Bonus: in doing so she's stirred up some strong emotions and interesting debates. Good for her.

Ya know what's worse? This woman went out and fulfilled HER dream and we all sit on the internet and bash it as if we had some right. That's more pathetic than the media manipulation of this woman. I hope too that someday those cynics accomplish something, be proud and have complete strangers around the world say things like "well you're not that great" or "what's the big deal". The opportunity was there, she took it, she didn't ask for it, and here we are, thinking WE'RE better than HER and completely within our rights to analyze her life, why she took care of her mom, why she chose not to marry, etc. Go do it to the Hills or Rock of Love, they deserve that, that's a totally different thing. And by the way, you're remark about "not a reason for someone to be famous"...Charlotte Church said the same thing about the FDNY after 9/11 when they were presenting an award. So what is a reason? Can't anyone be famous? I don't get it.

Carrot, re: your Mama Cass/Karen Carpenter comment, that's my point exactly. There are loads of famous musicians (and other performers) who are not conventionally attractive; why people were so stunned by this woman's moderate talent befuddles me.

I mean Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles were blind, played instruments masterfully, and have both experienced immense commercial and critical success, yet people are going ape-shit over an average-looking middle-aged woman. Does not compute.

I'm happy for her, but I'm not super-impressed. She sounds fine. Good for her for finally pursuing her dream. I don't think that merits half of the rabid fandom she's acquired.

THANK YOU BEN! The Susan Boyle story is being covered as though nothing like has ever happened on the show, except it has!

Have you watched the show? People react like that all the time, standing up, applauding like that. After the umpteenth time it gets a bit old. Not that I don't think she has a good voice, but it's all becoming a bit staged. But good for her, hope she gets the 'dream'.

Yes, it's disgusting that people are STILL shocked when a woman who doesn't fit into the traditional mold of beauty has any value or talent. But our culture is not past that point and that is why Susan Boyle is someone to celebrate. If there was another woman who looked like her receiving any accolades at all, it would be different. She's an opportunity for the rest of us to laugh at the idiots who automatically assume that beauty equals talent. Come to think of it, I can't think of one non-traditionally beautiful woman in twop's regular coverage. And I'm supposed to be critical of Susan Boyle?

Serraph, she's good. She's very good. She is, in fact, as good as a lot of other very good people. But she isn't *noticeably better* than most other very good people. There are hundreds of people with this level of talent working in the United States.

I trained in opera for 7 years. This song is not that hard at all and I've heard it done at the same quality at a high school talent show. She is actually struggling with the lower range and I find it amusing that people go mad over any note over a B flat and held for more than 2 counts.

My friends made me watch this with my eyes closed and convinced me that I'd have my mind blown. While listening, I told them it was passable, but not amazing by any stretch of the imagination. It was when they got all huffy about what I said and told me to open my eyes that I realized it was nothing to do with the voice. Quite frankly, the insinuation that she deserves a pat on the back because she's an average jane disgusts me.

I thought her performance was nice and it was a touching story and she seems like a very nice person who deserves happiness and success, but jeez, I can't believe that anyone thinks this is the best rendition of I Dreamed a Dream ever? I particularly liked the person who said if you don't appreciate her awesomeness it must be because you aren't familiar with this type of music. Or the one who thinks it's a "fact" that she could be on Broadway. I'm QUITE familiar with this type of music, having cast hundreds of off-off-off-Broadway musicals, and having heard this damn song a million times. And hey, she sang it well, but everyone who has ever sang it on Broadway has been much, much better.

Gongratulations: you can kick a puppy.

This is neither clever nor insightful. Rather than provide insightful commentary, you are just being contrarian.

Susan Boyle is by no means my tasse de the--I'm not one for musicals--but she's not altogether uninspiring. She's a rather dowdy woman who never had the opportunity to pursue her own dreams. If anything, the opportunity to pursue one's bliss triumphantly is what's inspiring: if only we should be so lucky.

Before providing cultural criticism, it may be useful to figure what you are criticizing. Is it Boyle? Reality programming? Television media? Underdog over-appreciation?

Wow, you're all missing the point. "I'm a classically trained singer and I was unimpressed" Sigh. Good for you. That's amazing. I'm so glad that everyone who is a critic is on here, giving us their knowledge of how great THEY are as compared, and how they've heard 'better' at a HS talent show. Your responses are the entire point of why some people were moved and touched. THEY liked it-she has a good voice. She got to sing in front of a large audience. Why does everyone feel compelled to tear people down? Show off why they're better or more knowledgeable? Why? Isn't it just a nice story? What's wrong with that? It's so infuriating to have to read a story first on why she's not a big deal, second on people having to defend why they like her and then people on why those people are idiots and she's not that great. for the love of pete, this is why talented people are afraid to put themselves out there sometimes. Because even if you have a moment, someone else will be there to take it away. That's what's worse. And let me tell you-talent takes presence, poise and charisma and she has them all. It takes grace. And just as money doesn't buy class, neither does training which several of you have proven here today.

I think it was pretty clear that Mindy was not criticizing Susan Boyle herself, but the media reaction and over-hyping. I also think that there is an intrinsic criticism of the manipulative "reality" TV genre which is totally scripted and orchestrated. For all we know, the crowd gave her a warm reception when she walked out. Or maybe they weren't that crazy about her performance and the audience reaction was "juiced."

If you got inspiration out of it, though, more power to you. It is nice to see an "average" person get some accolades. But by being totally incredulous that she could be a good singer, the media IS insulting her and those less attractive folks. It's like saying that Pres. Obama is automatically a great president because he is black, no matter how well or poorly he performs in the office.

of course it's all about a well-oiled publicity machine. that's precisely why there are thousands of good singers out there that don't have professional careers. just as there are a lot of professional singers that don't make it big like beyonce or taylor swift.

The media ARE, not IS. There's no single medium deciding what you see, hear and read.

Mindy, your 5 reasons are crap. None of them has anything to do with the fact that it was a moving, skillful performance from a charming and likable person. It was exciting and entertaining. The video told a nice story with a moral.

How is Susan inspiring? How you can miss the fact that she's a huge inspiration to anyone who thinks that it's too late and that life has passed them by is astonishing.

Susan is a role model for every middle-aged or older person who didn't pursue their goals for whatever reasons, including family responsibilities. This has nothing to do with being attractive or a virgin. Why are YOU concerned with those things? This has to do with taking charge of life.

That's what's inspirational about Susan Boyle.

That's odd bc I know many broadway actress'(yes personally, my friend is Jersey Boys) who were pretty stunned with her performance and discussed that it IS in fact a difficult song to sing-and I saw Melba Moore perform it on Broadway and she was terrible. So while I believe you have some talent, I don't know why you have to be derisive about someone else's.

When I listened to Susan Boyle sing her song, I was almost moved to tears by her voice. As someone who has been trained in music since childhood and has been in several productions, I know a good voice when I hear one and she could have been on Broadway with that performance.

She is an inspiration for those people who had never followed their dreams and thought that it was too late for whatever reason.

While the media thing may be over the top, your comments make you sound petty and bitter and beneath those you badger in the media. Why don't you grow up and try being happy for someone else for a change?

Ok, so while I agree that her voice isn't nearly as fantastic as Simon's "shocked" reaction would have you believing (I mean, really - listen to some of these people on Broadway, Incredible!), what really got to me was that she walked out and everyone was snickering at her. I loved how silly they all looked when she opened her mouth. It's just a nice reminder not to judge a book by it's cover...

"I know we all already knew this, but the media really, truly is the worst."

As an agent of Bravo, it's nice to know that you can be that in touch with yourself.

I agree with everything in JeezLouise's post; it was well articulated and sums up kind of how I feel as well.

I know it is Television WITHOUT Pity and most of the time, recappers, etc have valid reasons (Speidi, Tyra, etc as mentioned by someone upthread) for good old fashioned vitriol but the whole "If You've Never Been Kissed, It Was Probably By Choice" section is some of the meanest shit without much to back it up that I've ever read on this site. I have a friend (yes, really a friend, I'm not speaking in code)who has suffered from crippling shyness most of her life and although that's really offtopic, it's who/what I thought of when I read that particularly harsh part of this posted rant.

That's an interesting analysis of the situation, but to say the woman is not that good... Are you crazy? Have you heard the song stuck in your head sung by other people? Susan's cover is mind blowing.

Plus, I think there's more on her story than "the strength to go on living despite not being gorgeous". Are you actually watching her interviews?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdDYDb3m7Cc

About the situation being staged, can you say that for sure? Yes, there has to be as screening process, but not necessarily with the judges. And giving that a lot that happens on the "reality" shows is programmed, is this point really an issue, as long as she can sing and move the audience?

Plus, it's offensive, not snarky, to put "crap" right after the name of a woman that isn't even responsible for the aforementioned "crap". Are you losing your powers?

You can't just put the word "obviously" anywhere you like. It has to be really obvious. And you can't prove that the Simon and the rest of the judges know what she's capable of beforehand.

And her voice is THAT GOOD actually. I've seen/heard several versions of that song in youtube including those sang by a broadway cast member, and Susan Boyle's rendition can easily rival theirs.

Susan has an amazing voice. Listening to her and the professional version of Les Mis there is hardly any difference at all! Fix her hair, eye brows and give her a lovely dress, she would be quite nice. While she is singing she looks good.

Actually, if you listen to Ellen Page's verson of I Dreamed A Dream (the name that she said she wanted to be famous like and everyone rolled their eyes), Susan and Ellen's voices sound almost identical, which is rather a remarkable feat, considering how famous Ellen Page is and how much of an unknown Susan Boyle was.

I agree with you. The fact is, while I think she has a beautiful singing voice, no one would bat an eye about it if she were pretty. I'd be horribly insulted if I were her, that they are making such a big deal about her being "an inspiration". Why? Because she wasn't afraid to walk on stage while being unattractive? There's a dozen character actors and actresses that should be considered equally inspiring then. The plan and simple fact is people think that if you are an unattractive person then you can't have any talent. Maybe the world should just realize that there are a lot of ugly people who can sing, paint, play music and do other amazing things and a lot of pretty people who are a waste of skin - and get over it!

Les Miserables was not an Andrew Lloyd Webber show. It was based on the French version of the same show, which was based on the Victor Hugo novel. The music was composed by a French composer called Claude-Michel Schonberg. It's much more musically challenging than ALW's scores, which usually involve a lot of catchy hooks and are basically pop songs.

That said, I am kind of tired of hearing about her too. She has a beautiful voice, but enough with the 24/7 news stories! (Paul Potts came to mind in my house as well. I don't think he's been forgotten--he's sold more than 2 million albums and his second album is coming out this month....)

Well, Mindy, you are quite the mean spirited woman, aren't you. Susan has a natural talent and that can't be taught. She could get some classical training, if need be. I just heard her sing "Cry Me A River." It was excellent. You, my dear, are lacking empathy and the ability to look beneath the surface. This woman has been given a chance to sing for a wider audience. You have given yourself the opportunity to look petty and foolish.

Susan Boyle is receiving all this attention because she is Unattractive. In other words - look what the funny-looking lady can do. That is what I find upsetting. If she was plucked, coiffed, pumped and starved her performance would have been received like other stand outs who have not received a raised eyebrow. We were asked to answer this equation: what does looks plus talent equal? Many people failed this test and are now anxiously seeking to understand how they the got the answer wrong. I hope they can calm down and consider why they got it wrong, not how. As for the duplicity of TV - I am not surprised. I do hope Susan has her own lawyer and can protect her own interests. Being caught up in the Idol Machine would be draining of all your resources. For this reason I always hope the best person does not win.

I think the fact that she was "unattractive" was only a minor part of the intial set up of the audience - BGT leading us down that path of "here's another clown to laugh at and ridicule" which was turned on its head with a genuine talent, the extent of which is being hotly debated now. It's not the first time this show has done this and probably won't be the last. It's an easy marketing ploy, espcially in the age of youtube and internet memes.

I don't think the reaction was only because she was unattractive. The whole set up (the music, the intro, etc) made us believe she was going to be terrible and she proved not to be. Our expectations were being played with - but these were expectations about issues beyond just how she looked I would say.

All of her quirks and "difficulties" were on show and highlighted to mark the contrast.

Mindy, you could just as well replace "learning disabilities" or "age" with the comments you made on attractive-ness up there and they would be just as applicable to how they were used by the show.

We were expecting to - and all of the context of the show encouraged us to - laugh at this woman and then it totally undermined itself (self-referentially) so that her performance was a shock, which can be seen when Ant and Dec said "you weren't expecting that now were you?" when she started to sing. They knew they were shocking us, they were attempting to do so.

Which, of course, also indicates that Susan was somehow pre-screened and the principle 'characters' were all pre-aware of Susan's talent.

But the audience weren't. Their reaction - initial gut reaction - as far as we can tell (though there may have been some fancy editing!) was a positive and encouraging one. Most of the people in that auditorium saw only a quirky, dowdy lady come on stage, seem like she was gonna make a fool of herself and then sing - and they stood up and applauded.

She must have hit the right note (barra BOOM!) somewhere!

I think everyone knows that these competitions are explotative. The show exploits the acts (good and bad) and the acts exploit the show. At least Susan Boyle seems happy - and certainly seems complicit and aware of what's happening.

If you're going to be outraged, surely you should be talking about those acts who are clearly mental or physically disabled and being taken advantage of - and then the nation laughs.

And the press doesn't flinch.

Surely that's something to get truly worked up about.

I have a feeling Susan's talent will have much more impact on the public than your own, Mindy. Your little green monster is showing.

I'm just sick of hearing about her. SO what if she isn't pretty but can sing OK? How is that news? Why is there a new "news" story about her every day? Do you think in the long run this instant celebrity, mostly based on how she isn't pretty, is going to be good for her? Every time I see another "news" story about her I feel like I'm being Rick Rolled.

I can't believe so many people are missing the point of this article. Mindy's not sick of Susan Boyle herself but of the hysteria surrounding her.

Personally, so am I. I think Susan has a wonderful voice, but I'm disgusted that this has been made into such a big story. It's extremely patronising to Susan herself and it shows us all up as being shallow, judgmental fools. Yes, the woman is not fantastic looking. But why is it such a big deal that she can sing? Talent and beauty don't always go hand in hand. And this attitude of looking at her and gasping in amazement that she hasn't 'given up' just because she doesn't look like a model is a disgrace.

Kind of fun to go back to this old opinion. How does everyone feel now that Susan Boyle has broken all recores of pre-sales on Amazon with her 1st cd? Those with a real ear for music heard it coming. The rest said she wasn't really good. So there.

Yup, couldn't agree more. And I'd like to add that you've got a great colour scheme on your site, I suffer with colour blindness and many webmasters don't give us a second thought!