BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Self Development Why are we all cheering for Susan Boyle?

Why to do think that YouTube video of Susan Boyle singing on Britain's Got Talent has made such an impression on the entire world?

It's on all the TV news here in the U.S. and all over the Internet?

Could it be because we are all cheering for the underdog?

~Sharon

I personally find myself cheering for the Underdogs alot.

I also think that we might all feel just a teeny bit guilty for judging her so harshly when we first saw her, admittedly she is not a great looking lady and a lot of us already had judged her as not good enough before she even opened her mouth.

But once she started singing we all just sat there with our mouths wide open in amazement. So, we are now behind her fully giving her the support that we wished we would have given her when we first saw her.

This is so totally a case of not judging a book by it's cover!

Marci

I totally agree with you - can't judge a book by its cover!

I felt sorry for her in the beginning - the smirks and rolling eyes. Then she opened her month and this beautiful song came out. It brought tears to my eyes.

Yeah underdogs!!!

~Sharon

I was just talking about this today. I think it's weird that everyone is so excited about how she sings. She has a GREAT voice, but why is that such a shock? I don't even think she's all that horrible looking so I am not sure why her looks have anything to do with her singing. I honestly think it's strange. I hope this helps her become prosperous but I find the entire thing insulting, demeaning and belittling.

Her story reminds me of Jim Nabors - he had a speaking voice that was a turn-off but when he sang, he was incredible.

I think it is because we all know that society is cruel on those who don't look the part, walk the part, talk the part, or live the part.

Susan Boyle doesn't do any of the above. However, she was no bones about not being kissed, living with her cats, having a fiesty side, and just "singing since I was 12". The thing that shocked us that this person with such an amazing natural talent has been overlooked and judged harshly.

Look that the audience and the judges when she came on stage. Even look at her when Simon asked her a question and she was fiesty back. They had written her off the moment she walked on the stage and just wanted her to get it over with.

Then she opened her mouth to sing and all the things they thought about her, assumed about her, and had said about her didn't matter. She was truly sharing a gift with all those in front of her and she was living her dream. You couldn't disuade her. She was up on that stage and owned it and all those people who assumed so much about her and knew nothing.

I applaud her because I have been in her place and allowed those who thought less of me to win. She is my champion.

I think much of it is our modern society where singers have to be beautiful and have perfect bodies to get attention. I remember when Heart was famous and they were forced to get "sexed up" by their record company. They were sisters and being told to pose as if they were lovers! They were very upset by it but went along with it. In fact many people picked on the dark haired one because she was heavy, when she was the one with more talent.

Think of how many other awesome singers are out there that don't get recognition because their face and body won't look good on MTV.

I agree completely that every person should be treated as if they have the ability to achieve anything they wish - we shouldn't laugh at people who are not 'model perfect'. Then again, I also think we shouldn't laugh at actors and singers when they have problems. People love to read tabloids and news reports of famous people having problems. Why do we take such delight in "taking them down a peg"? I'm sure being hounded by the paparazzi all day long takes a toll on their brains. There are some wonderfully nice "well known singers" who honestly want to sing and make people happy - but they are ground down by the cameras invading their lives.

Jase - you hit the nail on the head.

We've all been in your spot - going for our dreams and the nonbelievers try to shake our confidence - treat us like we don't belong.

Susan had complete confidence in yourself and her ability - God bless her belief!

I wish her all the best - I think she has a great career ahead of her.

I think part of Susan Boyle's charm is that she doesn't "look the part" or "act the part", yet she has the resilience and confidence to just keep on singing.

We keep talking about her looks, but remember, she's also 47 (I think. ??) and looks 47. Not exactly your TV-talent show ingenue. And, as much as we criticize for looks, I think a big part of it is age as well.

She's middle aged, and that means smack in the middle of being "young enough" to look good even if you really aren't very pretty (Now that I'm middle-aged, I realize every single 20 year old in the world is gorgeous! LOL), nor "old enough" to rely on character and wisdom and fortitude. If she'd been 77, the audience would have been much nicer, perhaps even being on her side from the beginning--we love plucky Senior citizens.

I think it's great that Susan is making us rethink some of our "first impressions" and steretypes, and that's always a good thing.

But, like many others, I think she's making us rethink giving up our dreams due to "the odds" and that is an even more important message.

I think Susan Boyle is an angel come to teach many lessons on fortitude and acceptance of those different from ourselves. She sings from her pure heart and who can resist. Yeah!