Paul Potts Becomes Overnight Singing Sensation

From Bullied Child to Anonymous Salesman to International Sensation

Tyler Foster, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jun 14, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

I am not much for reality shows, particularly ones like American Idol. However, every now and then someone comes out of no where to inspire people from all walks of life. Overnight sensation Paul Potts recently appeared on "Britain's Got Talent," the English version of American Idol. In less than thirty seconds Paul Potts went from a bullied kid to a mobile phone salesman to an international sensation. The judges and audience members were prepared to make fun of this geeky looking opera singer, but what they heard stunned them.

Potts' first audition brought tears to the eyes of judges and audience members alike. Even Simon Cowell was speechless. The thing that was most impressive about Paul Potts' performance was that he sang opera, a genre generally thought of as too formal for today's reality show demographic. I am not a big opera fan myself, but must confess that I watched the YouTube video of his performance about a dozen times. I then immediately called my wife and kids in to watch the clip, and then emailed it to everyone I knew. It was that moving...and I am not easily moved!

I predict Paul Potts will be an instant hit, selling out opera houses all over Europe, and hopefully here in the states. Perhaps we have just witnessed Opera's next Pavarotti. Paul Potts is to opera what Tiger Woods was to golf. He has instantly transformed his passion of opera into a mainstream success with followers from all walks of life. His inspiring performance in the semifinals has skyrocketed his fame across England, and the internet community.

Paul Potts' unassuming manner makes him the perfect candidate to win "Britain's Got Talent." Simon Cowell admits that when dreaming up the concept for the show he envisioned discovering an entertainer who no one had heard of, who wasn't even sure of his or her own talent. They have found all that and more in Paul Potts. He may not look the part of a rock star, but to me that makes him all the more likeable. It's my hope that Paul Potts uses his new-found celebrity for the right things. I suspect that Potts is the type that will want to do something good with the financial windfall he will most assuredly receive. By celebrating such a talent it reminds us that it isn't always about looks, or money, or lineage. Sometimes talent overrides all those things and produces a star brighter than anything we've ever known.

Published by Tyler Foster

I am a 30 year old husband and father of two working in software development for money, but writing for fulfillment. View profile