The phenomenal popularity of Britain’s Got Talent competitor Susan Boyle, and the furor over the disparity between her angelic voice and her "homely" appearance, has Read the full post.
Apr 20
2009
04:49 PM ET
Susan Boyle: America, what's your problem?
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She just needs a little makeover, she is dowdy not homely. I think she has a very nice face.
But I would not seek to make her over.
You should appreciate her for what she is. A simple person.
She has her own brand of beauty, and you can’t buy it, or get it out of a box.
People are startled out of their own lack of values when confronted by her simple but genuine ones.
Your problem, not hers.
Mr. Collis:
This was a great article, well-written, humorous, entertaining–just great. You are right; at one point in time, pop stars were people, not demigods who we had to kowtow to. Susan Boyle, I pray, is a return to “reality-based” singers who happen to possess great voices. Who cares about her eyebrows? I’m not listening to THEM.
Thanks, Mr. Collis, for reminding us of Dave Bowie’s choppers–you’re right; at one time they were deadly — and it didn’t stop him from having a fabulous career.
Stacy — all those groups/ acts you named are from many many years ago. Today, a singer as talented as Janis Joplin would not make it unless she fixed up her looks.
Sorry– I am one of the people pumping acts into the Hollywood music system, and I can tell you — no looks equals no contracts today. Even very good-looking people are forced to lose weight, wear too much makeup, dress sexier. The expectation on looks in the US market is much higher today for actors, singer, newscasters – even authors — than it was 30-40 years ago when the acts you mention were popular.
Thanks Chi Chi
I think this was much more about ageism and sexism. A middle aged woman who actually looks middle aged is invisible in our culture. Susan Boyle is an altogether attractive human being, physically, emotionally and personality-wise. Her incredible talent is just icing on the cake.
All critics will be silenced if Simon Cowell marries Susan Boyle.
I think white people tend to overact when they see someone ugly sing good. If she was beautiful, she wouldn’t have gotten that response. The human race is quite sad…
As an American I have always been embarassed about our need for marketability over talent. We’re so hooked on profit that we let the real talent rot so that we can put the prettiest faces on the screen (or at least keep the talent behind the curtain), because everyone knows that talent only sells to those who understand it – sex sells to everyone. If you’re after cash, you sell a woman’s body, not her mind – it takes less time to appreciate. I’d like to believe that there is hope, but I think that what drives our country in so many ways towards productivity also inhibits our ability to appreciate the outliers. Every pro has a con, and our con is that we have no time to think about talented artists, especially when we can just buy them from Britain…
I think she has nice teeth.
The audience reaction to Susan’s performance (tears of joy/ gasps and shrieks) and the exploding media interest is the result of years of brainwashing western society to believe that looks equal ability.
Think Hollywood, pop stars and practically every other representative of the great American Dream factory of which many have had little ability other than star status looks. As for Susan herself, congratulations and may she receive all you she has ever dreamt of and more.
I SEE SOME FOLKS DISAGREE WITH MY PREVIOUS COMMENT. *WHAT I WAS TRYING TO POINT OUT WAS THAT NONE OF THIS MATTERS ANYWAY. THE WHOLE WORLD IS GOING DOWN THE DRAIN, AND WE’RE SUPPOSED TO GET EXCITED OVER SOME HOMELY BROAD WHO CAN SING? HOW ABOUT FACING REALITY AND FIXING THE PROBLEMS ENGULFING THE NATIONS AND THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD? AN UGLY DUCKLING SINGING LIKE A NIGHTINGALE DOESN’T MAKE IT. NOT NOW, NOT EVER.
I SEE SOME FOLKS DISAGREE WITH MY PREVIOUS COMMENT. *WHAT I WAS TRYING TO POINT OUT WAS THAT NONE OF THIS MATTERS ANYWAY. THE WHOLE WORLD IS GOING DOWN THE DRAIN, AND WE’RE SUPPOSED TO GET EXCITED OVER SOME HOMELY BROAD WHO CAN SING? HOW ABOUT FACING REALITY AND FIXING THE PROBLEMS ENGULFING THE NATIONS AND THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD? AN UGLY DUCKLING SINGING LIKE A NIGHTINGALE DOESN’T MAKE IT. NOT NOW, NOT EVER.
Lee, I think what you’re missing here is the importance of the minutiae of life. Who wants to sit around thinking about recessions and declining economies 24/7. That’s not being shallow, that’s being human. Everyone needs a break now and then, and the simple, beautiful and sadly unexpected talent of this lady is a wonderful opportunity to concentrate on something positive. It’s not disgusting, gussied-up pop culture that you see every day, everywhere. It’s one of those things you don’t get to witness too often and a good wake-up call for all of those shallow people out there who forget the important things in life. I think this world would be all the better with more ‘Susan Boyle’s popping up to remind us of life’s simplistic wonders.
Lee, I see that your caps lock key is broken. Perhaps, you weren’t aware of the problem, but you needn’t worry because the repairs are quite simple. I’d recommend first using compressed air to clean out any debris. If you still encounter problems, then you can try physically removing the key to clean beneath it and ensure all of the parts are working correctly. If neither of these work, a more technical problem might exist. I would recommend doing some cursory google searches on the problem and consider getting a repair man. Let me know if you need any more help!
I sense a new world-wide cultural divide: those who are moved by Susan Boyle and those who refuse to be. It gives me hope for humanity that so many are moved, not by the editing of the tv show but to the singer and the song. The disarming voice. The backlash is coming now because internet time moves 3 times faster than old media time, but old media had to play catch-up and have almost already over-exposed this week-old new star. Tanscendence like this comes along very rarely. I wish all could enjoy it.