The Catalyst

By Kate Schwenke, Managing Editor

A month ago, the name “Susan Boyle” didn’t register on the charts of conscious recognition. Nowadays, she’s the sensation on the tip of everyone’s tongue. From “frumpy” to “fabulous,” Susan Boyle continues to stun the world.

The world caught its first glimpse of Boyle on “Britain’s Got Talent”, a spinoff of its close cousin, “American Idol.” Wearing a dress that looked like it was made before Eisenhower took the oath of presidency and sporting a hairstyle resembling a graying afro (with eyebrows to match!), Susan Boyle confidently strode across the stage to stand before the panel of three judges, including Simon Cowell. He asked for her age, to which she answered, “Forty-seven, and that’s just one side of me!”

Cowell continued asking her questions, such as what her dreams were and who she saw as a role model. Boyle answered every inquiry assuredly, often to cruel giggles from the audience. Then Boyle began singing, and by the third note, there wasn’t a doubt left in the crowd. Susan Boyle was born to sing.

After her uplifting and awe-inspiring rendition of Les Miserable’s “I Dreamed A Dream,” Boyle began walking off the stage to a standing ovation that seemed to be never-ending. She was snapped back into reality, however, as Cowell and the other judges called for her back. She hadn’t gotten the go-ahead for the next round…yet. However, it was no surprise that all three judges gave her a “yes,” and all of them had something exquisite to say.

As judge Piers Morgan explained, “Without a doubt, that was the biggest surprise I’ve had in three years of this show. When you stood there with that cheeky grin, and said, ‘I want to be like Elaine Paige,’ everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now. That was stunning. An incredible performance. Amazing. I’m reeling from shock.”

Judge Amanda Holden took up where Morgan left off. “I am so thrilled because I know that everybody was against you. I honestly think that we were all being very cynical, and I think that’s the biggest wake-up call ever. And I just want to say that it was a complete privilege listening to that.” Cowell added, “Susan, you can go back to your village with your head held high.” And to that, Boyle began her victory dance.

While the stunning notes seem to flow out Boyle’s throat effortlessly, the journey to become known wasn’t as easy. Boyle herself told reporters that she hadn’t ever been on an actual date, and had yet to experience her first kiss. Her mother, her main support system, had died recently, as well. In fact, the only reason she tried out for “Britain’s Got Talent” was to uphold a promise she made to her mother as she lay on her deathbed: she would pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer.

Boyle currently lives alone in her village, with her cat Pebbles as her only constant companion. Until recently, the kids in her village made fun of her, calling her names and teasing her about superficial matters. However, as of April 11th, 2009 (when Boyle made her national television debut), those rude children have been replaced by reporters, each clamoring to snap a picture of the United Kingdom’s new unlikely star.

“Susan Boyle” became a household name almost instantly. A Facebook page has been set up in her honor, and it has a reported 1,680,771 fans. That number continues to grow. Thirty-five YouTube videos in four languages have been posted in just seventeen days. The most popular video of Boyle proudly sports over 47 million hits and a consist rating of five stars by 197,663 viewers. Celebrities such as Donny Osmond have asked to sing with her, and Osmond even offered to make her a permanent part of his Las Vegas show. Elaine Paige, the woman Boyle called her role model during her sting on “Britain’s Got Talent,” has also offered to record songs for her. Simon Cowell offered her a record under his recording label, even if she doesn’t win the competition. The world just can’t seem to get its fill of Susan Boyle.

Newspapers recently reported that Boyle was quitting “Britain’s Got Talent” in order to catch up on some rest and pursue a record deal while the offer is still valid. Boyle has contradicted this news, however, and vows to keep going as far as she can in the contest. Viewers in Britain can catch another glimpse of Boyle on May 23rd, as she performs in the semifinals of BGT. Supporters stateside will be able to get their fill of Boyle after May 23rd as the clips are posted on the Internet.

As Susan Boyle has demonstrated, you’re never too frumpy to “Dream the dream.”