I'm getting sick of the OTT coverage now, like the US TV host crying at the performance. Why do people automatically assume she's "beaten the odds" purely because she's unattractive, she is probably perfectly happy with her looks and her life? And Holden sickened me with her "everyone was against you" comment.
Guardian : "It wasn't singer Susan Boyle who was ugly on BGT .."
2 of 2
I was inspired by Susan's performance and my reaction was the same as nearly everyone else. I have watched it back on youtube with tears in my eyes. However, this article made me think about my reaction and why I did respond in that way.
A section of which reads "The problem is that recognition of her talent is directly proportionate to her lack of good looks and youth. What does it say about the civilized world that our expectations for greatness are diminished when people are unattractive and/or old?"
And what if she had sang terribly. What if every note was off-key, and the audience booed her off stage? I don't suppose I or anyone else would be lauding her praises now for her inner beauty, nor humbled because she far exceeded expectations.
The lesson that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover stands, but perhaps there's a greater lesson here, and it's we shouldn't judge a book until we've read it.
A section of which reads "The problem is that recognition of her talent is directly proportionate to her lack of good looks and youth. What does it say about the civilized world that our expectations for greatness are diminished when people are unattractive and/or old?"
And what if she had sang terribly. What if every note was off-key, and the audience booed her off stage? I don't suppose I or anyone else would be lauding her praises now for her inner beauty, nor humbled because she far exceeded expectations.
The lesson that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover stands, but perhaps there's a greater lesson here, and it's we shouldn't judge a book until we've read it.
Fantastic article. The fact that this story is now all over Sky News is... kind of disturbing. Is it really such big news that a middle aged woman who's not conventionally attractive has a fabulous singing voice? There were similar stories when Rik Waller was on Pop Idol. It's a shame that we do still judge people on their appearance. If Susan was thinner, younger and more attractive, she wouldn't have generated a tenth of the publicity she has.
Personally, I thought the judges were horrible to her. I think that's the problem I have with BGT in general. Out of the three judges, not one is 'nice'. They're all patronising and just plain mean. I'm not a Kelly Brook fan but her being genuinely nice to the contestants would have been a welcome change.
Personally, I thought the judges were horrible to her. I think that's the problem I have with BGT in general. Out of the three judges, not one is 'nice'. They're all patronising and just plain mean. I'm not a Kelly Brook fan but her being genuinely nice to the contestants would have been a welcome change.
I'd just like to add something about people's looks from my own perspective. I am a carer like Susan has been, and I have to say that since that became my main occupation my own looks have changed. I think I've aged ten years or more in three years, down to the stress and coping with the illness of a loved one, and the ongoing worry and having to be on the ball because you have someone else's life/needs and the responsiblity in your hands. I used to dye my hair because I had a tiny bit of grey, and now I just don't feel I have the time or energy to do it and now it's very grey. I don't faff about with myself like I used to, and part of that also is because it makes me feel guilty for some reason. I'm putting on weight because I don't do the things I used to do and I end up eating a bit too late in the evening very often. Susan was caring for her mother for a lot longer than I've been doing it, and she has said herself that her needs and wants have gone on the backburner because she put her mother first and that's probably been more than just her singing. Life throws things at us sometimes, it can effect our looks whether we were goodlooking or not before things happened. I don't see Susan as ugly at all. I also think she knew very well how good a singer she was, I was sure of that by that slightly mischievous smile she did before she started to sing. And the great thing is, you can buy a new face, but you can't buy talent.
Guess I'm off to pluck my eyebrows now, :P
Guess I'm off to pluck my eyebrows now, :P
Originally Posted by hendero:
“ I wouldn't be at all surprised if the producers told her to overdo the poor, luckless me routine to maximise the surprise factor once she started singing.
Or am I being too cynical?”
“ I wouldn't be at all surprised if the producers told her to overdo the poor, luckless me routine to maximise the surprise factor once she started singing.
Or am I being too cynical?”
I don't think you are being in the least cynical. We mustn't get away from the fact that this is showbiz, where things are not always as they might seem.
If, it is true (as been said on another thread) that Susan was "found by the show" as opposed to just going along to audition, then my reaction was that she had been instructed what to wear etc.... for maximum effect.
Given the amount of publicity and interviews etc she has had in this one week, she clearly has someone 'managing' her, who will no doubt make sure she has a make over to 'stun' us all the next time we see her!
Originally Posted by Nox_1:
“I was inspired by Susan's performance and my reaction was the same as nearly everyone else. I have watched it back on youtube with tears in my eyes. However, this article made me think about my reaction and why I did respond in that way.
A section of which reads "The problem is that recognition of her talent is directly proportionate to her lack of good looks and youth. What does it say about the civilized world that our expectations for greatness are diminished when people are unattractive and/or old?"
And what if she had sang terribly. What if every note was off-key, and the audience booed her off stage? I don't suppose I or anyone else would be lauding her praises now for her inner beauty, nor humbled because she far exceeded expectations.
The lesson that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover stands, but perhaps there's a greater lesson here, and it's we shouldn't judge a book until we've read it.”
“I was inspired by Susan's performance and my reaction was the same as nearly everyone else. I have watched it back on youtube with tears in my eyes. However, this article made me think about my reaction and why I did respond in that way.
A section of which reads "The problem is that recognition of her talent is directly proportionate to her lack of good looks and youth. What does it say about the civilized world that our expectations for greatness are diminished when people are unattractive and/or old?"
And what if she had sang terribly. What if every note was off-key, and the audience booed her off stage? I don't suppose I or anyone else would be lauding her praises now for her inner beauty, nor humbled because she far exceeded expectations.
The lesson that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover stands, but perhaps there's a greater lesson here, and it's we shouldn't judge a book until we've read it.”
The clever marketing research did all that before a TV show, and play so well to suit the minds of the public. The production team needs her to keep the same image for the show.
I think it's weird at the end of the day it's like they were saying "how dare you mock this woman cos she can singl" Don't the audition stages of X Factor get longer every year so the funny looking ones can be mocked, usually because they are not talented....
The fat girl and her fat family, they played the flumps music to and then in the final of XF they put her on a throne so people could mock her even more... wasn't that worse than a bit of giggling from the audience when Susan said she wanted to be the new Elaine Paige.
But it's ok cos they aren't talented - Susan is, so we should all be ashamed of ourselves for possibly thinking her dressed in a fuddy duddy outfit, having bushy eyebrows and an untrendy hairstyle is "different".
The fat girl and her fat family, they played the flumps music to and then in the final of XF they put her on a throne so people could mock her even more... wasn't that worse than a bit of giggling from the audience when Susan said she wanted to be the new Elaine Paige.
But it's ok cos they aren't talented - Susan is, so we should all be ashamed of ourselves for possibly thinking her dressed in a fuddy duddy outfit, having bushy eyebrows and an untrendy hairstyle is "different".
The audience and the panel don't know how an act is going to turn out. Sometimes they react like those Romans who would cheer as they watched watch Gladiators being torn to shreds in the Coloseum. But I do like it when they give a standing ovation.
I felt for those dear little sisters who sang with their Mum, Dad and brother. They both faced that audience with such bravery. Bless their little hearts.
I felt for those dear little sisters who sang with their Mum, Dad and brother. They both faced that audience with such bravery. Bless their little hearts.
Originally Posted by funkycub:
“I think it's weird at the end of the day it's like they were saying "how dare you mock this woman cos she can singl" Don't the audition stages of X Factor get longer every year so the funny looking ones can be mocked, usually because they are not talented....
The fat girl and her fat family, they played the flumps music to and then in the final of XF they put her on a throne so people could mock her even more... wasn't that worse than a bit of giggling from the audience when Susan said she wanted to be the new Elaine Paige.
But it's ok cos they aren't talented - Susan is, so we should all be ashamed of ourselves for possibly thinking her dressed in a fuddy duddy outfit, having bushy eyebrows and an untrendy hairstyle is "different".”
“I think it's weird at the end of the day it's like they were saying "how dare you mock this woman cos she can singl" Don't the audition stages of X Factor get longer every year so the funny looking ones can be mocked, usually because they are not talented....
The fat girl and her fat family, they played the flumps music to and then in the final of XF they put her on a throne so people could mock her even more... wasn't that worse than a bit of giggling from the audience when Susan said she wanted to be the new Elaine Paige.
But it's ok cos they aren't talented - Susan is, so we should all be ashamed of ourselves for possibly thinking her dressed in a fuddy duddy outfit, having bushy eyebrows and an untrendy hairstyle is "different".”
The big difference between BGT and X Factor, is that with X factor, you have 4 people (max) in a room laughing in your face, with BGT you have hundreds in the audience laughing in your face.
Was her appearance really that bad? OK, she's not what I would consider "attractive", but I see plenty of middle-aged women around my rural hometown who would have similar looks, and no-one bats an eyelid. Susan does look old for 48.
I think Tanya Golds headline is very rude, shes implying Susan is ugly which she isnt! OK she may not be miss world but for a 47 year old lady she has quite a pretty face
Originally Posted by a1councilexchan:
“I think Tanya Golds headline is very rude, shes implying Susan is ugly which she isnt! OK she may not be miss world but for a 47 year old lady she has quite a pretty face”
“I think Tanya Golds headline is very rude, shes implying Susan is ugly which she isnt! OK she may not be miss world but for a 47 year old lady she has quite a pretty face”
.. she is saying she isn't ugly, rather the reaction to her is - if anything, the author is turning on its head the suggestion that she is ugly. To be fair, Susan isn't pretty.
Originally Posted by alexq:
“.. she is saying she isn't ugly, rather the reaction to her is - if anything, the author is turning on its head the suggestion that she is ugly. To be fair, Susan isn't pretty.”
“.. she is saying she isn't ugly, rather the reaction to her is - if anything, the author is turning on its head the suggestion that she is ugly. To be fair, Susan isn't pretty.”
matter of opinion as to whether Susan is pretty, I think you will be surprised when you see her after the make up girls have a go at her.
The jorno implys Susan is ugly simply by using the word in the headline and stating it was the audience reaction that was ugly not Susan implying that Susan is in fact ugly.
Originally Posted by noorani:
“I'd just like to add something about people's looks from my own perspective. I am a carer like Susan has been, and I have to say that since that became my main occupation my own looks have changed. I think I've aged ten years or more in three years, down to the stress and coping with the illness of a loved one, and the ongoing worry and having to be on the ball because you have someone else's life/needs and the responsiblity in your hands. I used to dye my hair because I had a tiny bit of grey, and now I just don't feel I have the time or energy to do it and now it's very grey. I don't faff about with myself like I used to, and part of that also is because it makes me feel guilty for some reason. I'm putting on weight because I don't do the things I used to do and I end up eating a bit too late in the evening very often. Susan was caring for her mother for a lot longer than I've been doing it, and she has said herself that her needs and wants have gone on the backburner because she put her mother first and that's probably been more than just her singing. Life throws things at us sometimes, it can effect our looks whether we were goodlooking or not before things happened. I don't see Susan as ugly at all. I also think she knew very well how good a singer she was, I was sure of that by that slightly mischievous smile she did before she started to sing. And the great thing is, you can buy a new face, but you can't buy talent.
Guess I'm off to pluck my eyebrows now, :P”
“I'd just like to add something about people's looks from my own perspective. I am a carer like Susan has been, and I have to say that since that became my main occupation my own looks have changed. I think I've aged ten years or more in three years, down to the stress and coping with the illness of a loved one, and the ongoing worry and having to be on the ball because you have someone else's life/needs and the responsiblity in your hands. I used to dye my hair because I had a tiny bit of grey, and now I just don't feel I have the time or energy to do it and now it's very grey. I don't faff about with myself like I used to, and part of that also is because it makes me feel guilty for some reason. I'm putting on weight because I don't do the things I used to do and I end up eating a bit too late in the evening very often. Susan was caring for her mother for a lot longer than I've been doing it, and she has said herself that her needs and wants have gone on the backburner because she put her mother first and that's probably been more than just her singing. Life throws things at us sometimes, it can effect our looks whether we were goodlooking or not before things happened. I don't see Susan as ugly at all. I also think she knew very well how good a singer she was, I was sure of that by that slightly mischievous smile she did before she started to sing. And the great thing is, you can buy a new face, but you can't buy talent.
Guess I'm off to pluck my eyebrows now, :P”
Very, very well said noorani. I wish you well.
Originally Posted by muppeteer:
“Was her appearance really that bad? OK, she's not what I would consider "attractive", but I see plenty of middle-aged women around my rural hometown who would have similar looks, and no-one bats an eyelid. Susan does look old for 48.”
“Was her appearance really that bad? OK, she's not what I would consider "attractive", but I see plenty of middle-aged women around my rural hometown who would have similar looks, and no-one bats an eyelid. Susan does look old for 48.”
I agree.
Personally I thought her dress was perfectly all right and suited her. Any classical singer might have worn such a dress and no-one would have batted an eyelid.
Originally Posted by spittin'kitten:
“Very, very well said noorani. I wish you well.”
“Very, very well said noorani. I wish you well.”
Me too. Very insightful post.
Hmm.
As viewers, we had the hype from the press that her performance was going to good, the producers also had the hindsight of editing AFTER she had sung, if she had fulfilled our expectations like so many others on BGT do I don't think people would be making a big deal out of the reaction to her personally.
As viewers, we had the hype from the press that her performance was going to good, the producers also had the hindsight of editing AFTER she had sung, if she had fulfilled our expectations like so many others on BGT do I don't think people would be making a big deal out of the reaction to her personally.
Originally Posted by funkycub:
“I think it's weird at the end of the day it's like they were saying "how dare you mock this woman cos she can singl" Don't the audition stages of X Factor get longer every year so the funny looking ones can be mocked, usually because they are not talented....
The fat girl and her fat family, they played the flumps music to and then in the final of XF they put her on a throne so people could mock her even more... wasn't that worse than a bit of giggling from the audience when Susan said she wanted to be the new Elaine Paige.
But it's ok cos they aren't talented - Susan is, so we should all be ashamed of ourselves for possibly thinking her dressed in a fuddy duddy outfit, having bushy eyebrows and an untrendy hairstyle is "different".”
“I think it's weird at the end of the day it's like they were saying "how dare you mock this woman cos she can singl" Don't the audition stages of X Factor get longer every year so the funny looking ones can be mocked, usually because they are not talented....
The fat girl and her fat family, they played the flumps music to and then in the final of XF they put her on a throne so people could mock her even more... wasn't that worse than a bit of giggling from the audience when Susan said she wanted to be the new Elaine Paige.
But it's ok cos they aren't talented - Susan is, so we should all be ashamed of ourselves for possibly thinking her dressed in a fuddy duddy outfit, having bushy eyebrows and an untrendy hairstyle is "different".”
100% agree.
2 of 2
