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BBC Learning English
News about Britain
May 2009
Susan Boyle: an unlikely superstar?
News about Britain © British Broadcasting Corporation 2009
Page 1 of 6bbclearningenglish.com
Less than a few weeks ago Susan Boyle was a virtual unknown. However, since auditioning
for Britain’s Got Talent, a televised talent competition, she hasexperienced a stratospheric
rise to fame. A YouTube video of her audition has been watched by more than 26 million
people, making it one of the most watched videos on theinternet in recent times. It is
undeniable that technology such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter has helped to spread
the word about Susan’s performance.
So justwhat is it about Susan that the people find so fascinating? Arguably, it is the fact she is
such a class act. However, many have suggested that her biggest appeal lies in herunassuming persona.
Susan’s persona and appearance have been somewhat controversial and the initial reaction to
her audition has made many people question whether theyare guilty of judging a book by
its cover. With her plain Jane, middle-aged looks and her no-nonsense approach to life,
Susan is perhaps the most unlikely star to bediscovered of late.
Commenting on her rise to fame, Max Clifford, a renowned PR guru, said that the massive
public interest in her is partly due to people having to challengetheir own assumptions and
prejudices.
So what’s next for Susan? For the moment, she is preparing for her next appearance on
Britain’s Got Talent and she is the odds-onfavourite to win.
Looking forward, with talk of record contracts and celebrity duets, it is very likely that we’ll
soon be seeing a Susan Boyle album in the charts!