The name “Susan Boyle” is one of those names that definitely ring a bell. You may have heard about her on the internet, when her audition video went viral and sparked the hearts of many, or you may be an avid watcher of the show, Britain’s Got Talent and immediately became a fan once she opened her mouth to sing “I Dreamed a Dream” from the famous hit Broadway show, Les Miserables.
It’s very common in talent shows to have contestants that standout and shine among the rest, but Susan Boyle’s case is different. When she first walked in the audition stage of Britain’s Got Talent, she left an interesting first impression. Physically, Susan is plump, has thick-eyebrows, and awkward in her own way.
Basing from this judgment alone, it was evident that the audience, and even the judges were skeptical about her, but during the moment that she sang, all these first impressions disappeared in a snap. Despite her exceptional talent and being viral on social media, Susan placed second in the competition. But she sold over 20-million records and is still overwhelmed with the instant success she gained because of Britain’s Got Talent. She also topped both U.S. and UK charts and even had her own TV special called “I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story.”’
Simon Cowel, the ‘skeptical judge’
The list will definitely go on for Susan because just recently, she auditioned for a special segment of America’s Got Talent which is “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” This competition is not the typical talent show that AGT runs. Here, they gather former contestants from all over the world who stood out and showed exceptional talents, and made it to the finals. The one who will join may be a former winner, a runner up, or someone who made it to the finals.
At AGT’s The Champions, they get another chance to redeem themselves and hopefully become a champion the second time around. And of course, Susan Boyle is part of it. As expected, the audience and the judges gave her a warm welcome through a standing ovation when she walked in. They were obviously thrilled to have her back singing on the stage again.
“I can’t think of any other contestant who has defined this show better than you. You’re the one. You made a huge difference to a lot of people’s lives and I’m absolutely thrilled that you’re here.” Simon said after she sang, followed by Howie Mandel who said: “That moment I’m watching you sing is the epitome. We use that as vernacular in AGT and I said, ‘you know what I want? I want that Susan Boyle moment.’”
Her rendition of Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” earned her a Golden Buzzer moment from Mel B. “I wanna be the woman that gives you something that you deserve.” She said before pressing the buzzer. Still being her awkward self, she stood frozen, but smiling on stage.
Mel and Simon have her a warm hug and it was evident that the latter had a huge impact on Susan. They were both happy to see each other after nine years. Simon told her that he was proud of him, and when asked how Susan felt, she said that she was very and humbled to have earned an instant Golden Buzzer.
In her interview before her appearance at the audition for The Champions, when asked if she considers herself a champion, she said that she’s a champion for the ordinary people, those who didn’t believe in themselves and those don’t that a voice and have the confidence to do things. “So I couldn’t possible walk away from my second chance.” She also calls this second chance an “unfulfilled promise.” There are definitely a lot of Susan Boyles all over the world, and hopefully, her second appearance will give more room to people like her. We also cannot wait to see more of Boyle this season.
Watch the now viral performance of Susan Boyle at America’s Got Talent: The Champions below: