Susan Boyle Advances with "Memory" on "Britain's Got Talent"

Susan Boyle, the woman who auditioned on "Britain's Got Talent" last month and literally took the world by storm with her beautiful voice, has made it through the semi-finals of the show. She said in an interview that winning the talent competition would prove she was a "worthwhile person." Some would go so far as to say she is worthwhile now.

Susan Boyle was an unknown back in early April, but within a week of appearing on "Britain's Got Talent," the YouTube video of her enchanting performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables had been seen millions of times by people all over the world. She was receiving calls from Oprah Winfrey, appearing on CNN, and being twittered about by Demi Moore and Hugh Jackman.

Six weeks later, Susan Boyle stood on the "Britain's Got Talent" stage and sang "Memory" from the musical Cats. No one doubted her talent this go round, but many waited in anticipation to see if she could wow the judges and build upon her amazing first impression.

And she did. After the break, Susan Boyle let her voice soar and as the last note of "Memory" faded, the audience roared, leaping to their feet. The "Britain's Got Talent" judges table had empty seats as well as Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden joined the audience in giving the 47-year-old Scot singer a standing ovation.

Many had worried that Susan Boyle might have let her sudden rise to fame go to her head. Part of her appeal had been the frumpy look, the spinsterish charm, the saucy confidence she exhibited during her first audition. After she had been subjected to a week of media attention, pictures began surfacing of her in new clothes.

But on May 23, she stood upon the stage in a simple light brown dress. It sparkled but was not ostentatious. And her unruly shock of hair still looked as unmanaged as it had the first time the world got a glimpse of her.

Boyle won the popular vote to advance. The "Britain's Got Talent" judges chose between 10-year-old Natalie Okri and a dance troupe called Diversity -- with Diversity winning out -- for Boyle's contender.

Within five days of her performance of "I Dreamed A Dream," there had been over 100 million views of her videos on YouTube. The YouTube video that made her famous has now received nearly 60 million views on its own.

Susan Boyle may not ultimately win "Britain's Got Talent," the winner of which will be announced after two finalists duel on May 30, but she certainly has won the hearts, admiration, and respect of millions around the world.

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Source:

"Britain's Got Talent," ITV Television

EW.com