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.”
Spotted@