Susan Boyle Scam — Simon Cowell Staged Susan Boyle Story, Columnist Says
Not everyone is moved by the story of Susan Boyle, the shy Scot who went from “ugly duckling” to singing Internet sensation in a matter of days.
Cynical New York Post columnist Maureen Callahan believes “there is something disturbing” about how quickly Susan’s modern day Cinderella story captivated the world after her humbling performance of “I Dreamed A Dream,” from the musical Les Miserables, on Britain’s Got Talent this month.
After learning that judge Simon Cowell has reportedly been working on both movie and album deals for Boyle’s future in showbusiness, Callahan has become convinced that the acid-tongued mogul engineered Susan’s tale in a bid to garner ratings for the ITV series.
Talk about being jaded.
“It remains true that this clip, and Boyle’s rendition, would not be so compelling without the contradictions: the beautiful voice possessed by this defiantly unglamorous woman, who can somehow fully inhabit and interpret a love song without ever having been in love,” she writes in an Op-Ed piece titled “Why Is No One Suspect of Susan Boyle?”
(Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought “I Dreamed A Dream” was about living in the aftermath of the French Revolution. It isn’t a love song, Ms. Callahan. But I digress.)
“The notion that Cowell was unaware of Boyle’s existence, let alone discordant looks and talent level, before she ever took the stage, is flatly ridiculous,” Callahan adds.
Was Simon in on it?
“All I knew about her was a name on a sheet of paper. She came out and she looked a bit odd, and the dress looked odd. I gave her five seconds at most. But then she started singing, and within two seconds everything changed,” Cowell scoffed.
On behalf of Susan Boyle supporters everywhere, we say: Maureen Callahan, sit’cho ass down! And that goes for anyone else who can’t accept this story for the wonderful tale that it is. Ms. Boyle has a lovely voice, and she seems to have a beautiful inner spirit to match, who cares what she looks like? Why shouldn’t she have a shot at the prize? Her courage and talent are an inspiration to us all to strive for the “impossible dream.”
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On April 22nd 2009, patricia murphy wrote:
Staged? Unstaged? Who cares? All I want her to do is sing! sing! sing! Whatever the reason, she is 47 and just embarking on a career, we, ve missed way too much already.
Sing, Susan Sing!
On April 22nd 2009, Charley Kane wrote:
Cowells reaction on first seeing her was very fake looking, especially for someone who has been in the music business for decades – he must have seen plenty of ugly backup singers with good voices so i dont it.
On April 22nd 2009, Vanessa wrote:
I will correct you on this…Les Miserables was not about the French Revolution (Do the research!!)…Agreed that it is not a “love song”…but a song about hoping for something better from life. She is an amazing singer…can’t we just appreciate her for that and stop trying to put a twist on it???
On April 22nd 2009, David Hurley wrote:
“Maureen Callahan, sit’cho ass down!” That’s funny and sums it up.
Definitely worth a tweet on http://twitter.com/hirohurl
On April 23rd 2009, Chris wrote:
It would not be the first time Simon tries to fool the world, in 2003 Simon and the original Idol people arranged World Idol with several winners of the different Idol competitions in the world, of course to get PR for Kelly Clarkson as they were 100% sure she was going to win it, but they kinda overlooked a little Hobbit from Norway named Kurt Nilsen who won the whole thing, getting top votes from all countries except Saudi-Arabia.
Btw, has anyone ever seen a World Idol competition after that? No? That’s right, there has not been another one, I wonder why…
On April 23rd 2009, Paul wrote:
I heard about her from a friend, and had to see her on youtube. I loved it! And posted it on Facebook…
I live in Norway(sorry for my bad english) and I am looking forward to watch BGT when the show is sendt here. Can`t wait to hear more. Susan sings like an angel.
Some people wonder if Simon knew she was a good singer. So what? This is a talent show, isn`t it? And Susan has lots of it… I bet she wins BGT this Year. Go Susan …
On April 23rd 2009, katelynjane wrote:
The woman who wrote the accusing article is someone who must have a very unfulfilling life. Imagine! Who cares if Simon knew who Boyle was before she preformed, she DID preform and blew everyone’s socks off!
Susan Boyles story was so beautiful and so inspiring! We needed to see a real life Cinderella story in these times.
On April 23rd 2009, ARIANA ART wrote:
What a pity there are people with minds as accusatory as the woman writing the derogatory article about Simon. I have to wonder what evil possesses a person to throw a barb into a lovely story such as that of Susan Boyle.
Too, whether Simon knew or did not know of Susan’s tremendous talent is a moot point.
On April 23rd 2009, PG wrote:
Simon Cowell has a record of doing this kind of thing. Remember, he owns a big chunk of the program. Also, Susan Boyle couldn’t have got through auditions and rehearsals without Cowell being aware of her talent.
Best of luck to her, though
On April 24th 2009, Susan Reid wrote:
It is a talent show and she has talent she did not need to fake anything she and other contestants should be judged for there talents and not any sob stories I have plenty of sob stories to tell I do not have any talent so if people or being judged for the stories and not talent then I shall audition next year. Seriously though who cares about a sob story I judged her for her singing not anything else so wake up people and get a life stop listening to silly rumours and judge for your selves.
On April 25th 2009, Toni M wrote:
Susan has wanted this since she was twelve.
Thank god the world got to hear her.
For this to happen to her at this time of her life is amazing.
She’s waited thirty five years for this chance!
What an amazing talent!
You go girl!
On April 25th 2009, arden wrote:
if you read the complete lyrics to the song (google it!), you can see why it might be considered a “love song,” it is about a lost love and the wish he would return but acceptance that that won’t happen.
the opening line (which Boyle did not sing) is “There was a time when men were kind”. in another verse she left out, it says “He slept a summer by my side…But he was gone when autumn came”. then (parts she actually did sing): “And still I dream he’ll come to me…That we will live the years together”.
sounds kind of like a love song to me, unless you don’t consider ‘love gone bad’ to fall into that category.
the lyrics are really quite devastating when you read them on the page…the final line “Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.” is just….wow. depressing stuff!
as for Simon “staging” it, no one (not even Simon) could have predicted the enormity of the public response to her. it’s just way beyond what anyone would have fathomed. but as for him working on record and movie deals for her…no one who is aware of the whole premise of the show would be surprised! He has first rights to sign any act on the show…he has signed a number of them in the past (Paul Potts, Andrew Johnson, George Sampson etc). to be shocked or outraged that he intends to sign her is just…silly!!!! OF COURSE he’s going to sign her! that’s what the show is for. Duh.
As for whether or not the judges have heard the acts, well that’s quite possible, but possible that they indeed have not. SOMEONE from the show has heard them, because they whittle down a huge number of acts prior to selecting a group of the best and worst to actually go before the judges/audience. He might well have heard about her, same as he likely had heard about Shaheen, if not yet heard him sing.
according to one report, and suggested by comments from Susan herself, she was in fact scouted and asked to come on the show. Shaheen is an established performer, had appeared as the young Michael Jackson on stage, and acted on TV, so he’s far less an “unknown” than Susan.
On April 26th 2009, Leo M. Gates wrote:
When I saw Susan Boyle I was reminded of the first time I saw–then heard Jim Nabors sing. Same gimmick. Charming as Susan Boyle is and pleasant as she is to listen to, I cannot help but think this was more of a contrivance than we were led to believe. She had to know one doesn’t appear in front of an audience and on national television in a house dress and no makeup. She laid it on kind of thick, even for 47 and from little ‘ol West Lothian.
Leo M. Gates, from big ‘ol Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
On April 26th 2009, marianne wrote:
Maureen Callahan should get a life!
On April 26th 2009, TAmmy wrote:
Staged by Simon or not, I’m sure Susan has rattled some diva’s cages. They insure their butts for a million bucks, but got nothing to show but butts and no voices. So, let the snaikes squirt their venom. It won’t hurt Susan but they might choke on their own pukes.
We’ll be waiting for Susan to tour the world. Amen!
On April 26th 2009, California Fan! wrote:
This woman has an incredible voice regardless of the circumstance. She’s touched many worldwide, and I, along with millions of other fans wish her great success! Whether Simon or someone else promotes her, is irrelavant, for Susan is a star! I can’t wait to buy her first CD! I couldn’t be more thrilled for her. A humble village surrounding, harvesting such incredible talent! BRAVO SUSAN! Come to CA anytime! There will be thousands waiting for you!
On April 27th 2009, Will wrote:
Who cares? I love Susan no matter what.
I will buy all her CDs no matter what you or other low-life think about her. I will root for her all the way!!! One word for you: LOSER!!!
On April 27th 2009, Sara wrote:
Susan Boyle is actually a beautiful woman, but because she is forty seven (a fully fledged woman with no hint of the girl about her), and doesn’t waste her time or talents by working out or pursuing treatments from Hollywood style dermatologists, plastic surgeons, make-up artists and hairdressers in order to achieve a sterile, plastic form of beauty, because she dresses like a lady with a strong sense of dignity, she is deemed ugly and worthless. The perceived discord between her “ugly” looks and undeniable talent is what has created the “sensation” surrounding her.
It’s amazing that four decades after the feminist movement reached its peak that women have fallen so far that a woman of undeniable talent and worth is openly mocked and ridiculed on national television simply because she looks grown-up and dresses with dignity rather than as a two-bit tart.
It’s sad that Susan Boyle lacked the confidence to thumb her nose at all of them. Neither the judges who treated her so rudely, nor the rude and very ugly audience deserved to hear her sing.
On May 31st 2009, Laura wrote:
All I want to know is when does her first CD come out? I want to buy it. I love her voice.
On May 31st 2009, S wrote:
Shame that brits are such mindless idiots. Can’t see talent when it smacks them in the face.
On June 8th 2009, cococat wrote:
I am concerned susan listened to her family and niece about signing with this new person. I think Simon is the very best choice to handle her career. Families seen to come out of the woodwork and have their eyes on the money. Susan has already said what ever she earns is for her family. When she has some money, she will be asked to leave the only home she has ever known as it is government provided. I hope she will find a place for pebbles and herself that will be safe and pleasant for her. Be careful Susan about whom you trust. In your case it is not a matter of a lot of money, but promoting your career for the right reasons.
On September 19th 2009, skywriter wrote:
I am reading these comments on September 19, 2009. Does Maureen Callahan or any of the know-it-alls have any idea of how utterly stupid they sound now? I’m just sayin’.