Susan Boyle won't have longevity, says judge

Is YouTube fame instant, but hellishly short?

Or can the remarkable talent of Susan Boyle transcend the quick fix provided by the Web?

As far as "Britain's Got Talent" judge Amanda Holden is concerned, the Boyle phenomenon will not enjoy the time-travel of, say, Boyle's Law.

On the eve of Boyle's semifinal performance on Sunday, Holden told the News of the World: "She'll be an instant international superstar--but I don't think she'll have longevity."

Saying that she was unsure whether Boyle would even perform well in the semifinals, Holden added: "I think it can go either way. We've built her up and the public could go, 'She's too big for her boots, she's too cocky.' She isn't. But we don't like too much success. It's a shame."

I'm not entirely sure which citizens of the world are members of Holden's "we." However, "we" sound like pretty dreadful people. It could be that she was merely referring to some specific sections of the British population. Those who watch talent shows, perhaps.

Still, Holden, a passable actress on British television who has now secured a presenter's slot on CBS's "The Early Show" (thanks, she says, to the fame provided by Boyle's performance), is very much in touch with the genial nature of the entertainment business.

She said: "After the show there won't be any time taken to record her album--there can't be. They need to get her into a studio straight after the show and get that bloody thing out."

Ah, yes, this is all about that bloody thing. Shove it onto iTunes and get everyone to download it within a week. Why does it have to get out fast? Because human beings are appalling.

Or as Holden chose to describe it: "This world is fickle. We pick people up and spit them out just as quick. We move on very fast. But who cares? She won't. This is more than she ever dreamed of anyway."

Well, now. Who knows just how big Boyle's dreams have become? And who knows whether "we" really are as fickle as Holden describes?

"We" probably are. But wouldn't it be endearing if "we" made an exception in this case?

[Judy5941]

I understand what you both are saying. And I'm sure Susan realizes that there are sharks in the water. That's a good way to describe that part of the story, and Susan has already been faced with tons of them. As for the possibility of her success, though, I guess I'm considering that Britain's Got Talent has never before had anyone who has become an overnight global superstar. Simon told Oprah he's never seen anything like it. And I'm also considering the quality of people she has behind her. Cameron Mackintosh of Les Mis fame called her "brilliant". Andrew Lloyd Weber has a place for Susan in one of his shows if she wants it. Kofi Annan's first remark to Gordon Brown was, "So, tell me about Susan Boyle." TommyUSA just can't praise her enough. And the list goes on. I of course could be very wrong,
but from all I've read, including that the total number of hits on her video is moving toward making it the most watched of all time on YouTube, it seems like the world has never reacted so strongly for anyone before. And I just hope that all this means something lastingly positive for Susan!

[wango2007]

This "too big for boots" thing is very British, and something far worse in New Zealand and Australia. There they call it "cutting down the tall poppy."

This notion guarantees mediocrity. No one wants to be attacked by their "mates" or ostracized by them for being noticeably good in academics, sports or other endeavors.

[ikramerica--2008]

Yes, it is something that is really hurting England as a whole. Anyone successful is targeted and dragged down, and it limits the ability of Brits to sustain success. It's like an American grade school mentality that people never grow out of.

But I've heard Australians say it's far worse in England than down under, so who knows?

It's not quite as big a phenomenon in the USA. In the USA we root for the underdog, the good guy, and even the "bad guy you want to root for" and root against the cocky. If someone is worth rooting for we do, unless they are getting so much praise to the point that the praise is outsripping our perception of their value.

[nicmart]

I'm way ahead of this curve: I can't stand her singing. What she needs is a producer like Emilio Estafan to put her through the sound machine. In 6 months she will be famous for her second CD, a collection of duets with Carlos Santana, Shakira, Johnny Rotten, Joss Stone, and a galaxy of other fabulous stars. Her longevity will increase as her identity is diminished.

[blindmessiah]

I think people have it wrong. They won't not vote for Susan because she is making it. They just don't want her, and the rest of the "famous" people getting ahead of themselves. They would most likely prefer her and others to stay grounded, someone whom they could identify with, and not be better than them.

I for one hope that Susan won't lose any of herself to this new world opening up before her. She should always be herself, else yeah, she will lose favour amongst the everyday ordinary people.

[boxerpaws56]

let's get some perspective here.Susan Boyle has had her life already.She's not some spring chick who got famous through good looks, a sexy body or the youth culture.She cared for her parents and lived quietly at home.She wasn't one seeking fame at all.Period.Nada.She just wanted to sing and be recognized for her singing.Not famous.Recognized for an accomplishment.Her parents came first and so did her quiet life as an ordinary person.Now take someone like Madonna who became famous and DESIRED to do so based not on talent-but sex and image. There's tons of those in the youth culture.They gravitate towards fame like a moth to a flame.They don't have a life.Seeking success,money, adulation and fame IS their life.Their is the difference between them and Susan Boyle.Someone who honestly has talent that only needs some coaching and professional help.She's got it.That's what she mentioned as her dream.Not be famous or rich but to BE a professional singer.
She didn't ask for anything that has happened to her.She didn't seek it out.
All she did was have the courage to step up to the plate and hope for the best.
She is remarkable.Will she have staying power? You bet.
Why? Because she actually has a God given talent and a humility about her.
The first few notes of Memory were off.Big deal.
We're making too much of too little a thing.
I can only imagine that she had some set of nerves but that's because she does not picture herself as some big fluanting herself around star like Madonna,Spears etc.
About time we had someone make it who didn't get there flaunting around their sexuality and singing songs with words like IF YOU SEEK...as Spears did knowing it would garner attention and get sales.
So let's give Susan a break.A few flaws-a few off notes-takes nothing away from her talent.She pulled it off beautifully and we still have the finals to go.As well as the CD.All of us are waiting to buy her CD's. We're certainly hoping she'll win.She has the talent to do so!If we can cut breaks for all these other less talented people-we can certainly cut Susan a break for a very few notes.

[babyfacemagee]

Agreed. Susan Boyle's lack of teeny-bop waif sex appeal is a WELCOME change. I'd rather listen to the depth and nuanced tones of her voice as she interprets a song and study the emotions that run across her face as she sings than look at some half-starved dim witted talentless fame ***** like Madonna. There's no comparison. If Madonna had a voice like Susan Boyle's she wouldn't HAVE TO titilate to keep our attention. It's Madonna and her ilk's lack of singing ability that force them to turn to that in the first place. Go Susan. Don't change and you've got this fan for life.

[MaureenUpstateNewYork]

Susan Boyle is the best live stage voice to come along since Patti Lupone. With all the screeching, acrobatic "singing" that passes for "talent" on shows like American Idol, BGT, AGT, etc., Susan Boyle is a true, pure, natural singer with a God-given talent. I for one will be the first in line when her CD comes out. Voting for a bunch of ghetto acrobats shows what passes for talent in England. I'm sure the Queen will not be amused.