Susan Boyle and atypical looks

[Bob S.]

There have been many people who have won the hearts of fans with their angelic voices, but Susan Boyle, the media darling of "Britain's Got Talent", has made a lot more sit and listen.

Why? Could it be because she does not fit into our mold of what a singer should look like? Did anyone in the audience or the judges' table give her a chance before she started singing? Is she popular because of her singing alone or is it because she is also not in the "pretty" category?

It seems to me that people are more surprised that she can sing so well while looking the way she does. What does that say about society?

Bob S.

[Naturist4Ever]

There have been many people who have won the hearts of fans with their angelic voices, but Susan Boyle, the media darling of "Britain's Got Talent", has made a lot more sit and listen.

Why? Could it be because she does not fit into our mold of what a singer should look like? Did anyone in the audience or the judges' table give her a chance before she started singing? Is she popular because of her singing alone or is it because she is also not in the "pretty" category?

It seems to me that people are more surprised that she can sing so well while looking the way she does. What does that say about society?


The whole Boyle-thing was staged to get the maximum contrast effect, this is now well documented (they even went to intervue her in a different town then her hometown to get the most impact of the outcome of her performance & circus around it, including also clothing and hairstyle etc). Not suprising though - it's showbusiness afterall. I am surprised you don't know, actually no, maybe not.

[Fitz1980]

Thanks to MTV looks have been more important than ever for a singer regardless of vocal talent.

Blue's Travler had several videos rejected by MTV because the band didn't have the right look. They finally got their breakthrough video "Run Around" played by casting younger, sexier actors to dance on stage in the video and only showed fleeting glimpses of plus-sized front-man John Popper playing his harmonica. But let's be honest shouldn't a harmonica playing blues musician weigh at least 200 lbs?

[FreeinNJ]

we have it beaten in our heads that being 10% under weight is what we shoud look like. breasts should be huge , men should be well endowed and faces must be flawless. Accepting anyone that is in her class is wrong. Stupid society! It is becuase of this I place my imperfection here on full display to show it is ok to be not perfect

[gb]

Go New Jersey!! Keep up the good work and stay naked!!

[Home Nudist]

Is she popular because of her singing alone or is it because she is also not in the "pretty" category?

It seems to me that people are more surprised that she can sing so well while looking the way she does. What does that say about society?
This entire episode reminds me of when Jim Nabors, famous for his simplistic, backward, Gomer Pyle character, with his high pitched voice, began singing in a rich baritone voice. People simply couldn't believe it. And, he was rushed into the recording studio. Are some of you old enough to remember that?

I think there are many levels to the Susan Boyle phenomenon. Her voice is good, but not the best I've heard.

The attention comes not only for the voice, but because the voice is coming out of a rather dowdy looking, spinsterish (by her own admission) 48 year-old woman.

By comparison, many of the kids on "American Idol" have equally surprising voices. In their case, we just think, "Gee, that was good. Who's next?" Point: We're really not shocked or surprised -- if the singer is young or pretty.

I'm willing to bet -- talent or not -- if Susan didn't look like someone's old-maid aunt, no fuss would have been made, and most of us would not even be aware of her. This thread wouldn't exist.

To me, it's not that "looks count," but that the media is telling us that we should be surprised that someone who is older and plain looking has a hidden talent -- or any talent at all.

It is, indeed, a sad commentary on our value systems.

[Fitz1980]

The media had something to do with it. But the public at large is what made it a "viral video" one of those things that everyone posts, e-mails and links to. Bill Maher said that he feels that the reason it's become such a phonomena is because it makes American Idol fans feel better about themselves. Usually they watch it to be cruel and laugh at people who look like her. That's why the producers deliberately let in people like William Hung so that Simon can be cruel to them and the audience can laugh.

[Dolby]

One other interesting point. In Britain apparently there is no age limit on contestants, but in the USA if I'm not mistaken they can't be older than 26 or something like that. What does that say about our society?

[Bob S.]

Dolby, this is different than the American Idol contest. The US does have a similar program called "America's Got Talent" which will be coming back to NBC in a few weeks. The first winner of America's Got Talent was an 11-year-old girl, Bianca Ryan.

Notice how Susan Boyle's competition is being left out of the media.

Bob S.