That's Not Your Girlfriend: Susan Boyle
A frumpy, virginal, somewhat hammy 47-year-old cat lady from Bathgate, West Lothian in Scotland performed on Britain's Got Talent this weekend, and for a really long time it looked like she was definitely your girlfriend. Everyone was like "haha, look at her, what a your girlfriend." Simon Cowell rolled his eyes so hard, and was like "here we go again, another your girlfriend." But then this really weird thing happened, which is that she fucking killed it on the song ("I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Mis, obvs). Suddenly everyone was reminded that TV isn't just about finding lonely weirdos and laughing at them, and that sometimes truly talented people can be hamstrung by social anxiety or any other number of psychological road blocks that keep them from being recognized. Suddenly everyone was reminded that this is not your girlfriend at all, that she doesn't want to date you and has completely refuted every advance. Even Simon Cowell had to open his mouth wide into what he was told was a "smile," showing off his perfect "teeth" (£2,500 each) at the pleasant surprise of being unable to unleash his trademark venomous snark on which he has built an incredibly successful career. Susan Boyle, not your girlfriend, stopped him in his snake tracks.
Seriously, though, this is a really nice moment (after the jump) when an unassuming woman's dreams basically come true right in front of everyone, and we have to stop and reconsider why we are always laughing at the Susan Boyles of the world when we don't know. We don't even know!
We're gonna need a bigger :)!
Thanks for the tip, Nicholas.
Posted by Gabe at 12:00 PM in Love-Watching, That's Your Girlfriend
Tags: Britain's Got Talent | Simon Cowell | Susan Boyle
This was like the end of Remember the Titans, except on a reality show. I got chills.
Score = 7
Wow, I'm impressed. It's nice to actually see someone being genuinely complimented for their talent on teh interwebs without any useless snarky or sarcastic commentary.
Score = 26
that was fucking ridonculous
now theres no stereotype I can pretend to hate for all my lack of talents. :( THANKS ALOT SUSAN
Score = 7
This immediately brought to mind Paul Pots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQOr7Kmh4Fw
I really shouldn't be this choked up with emotion before lunch. Double :)
Score = 2
Sometimes I tear up in the middle of a Monday, no big whoop.
Gabe- Stop stealing Lindsay's stories- You don't see her doing your "From G's 2 Gents" recaps!
Score = 20
Seriously, between this clip and Damon Weaver's hometown hellscape, Videogum has been Tearsgum for me today.
Score = 11
Such a Disney moment.
Score = 4
Disney doesn't do honesty like this.
this is just spectacular. Susan Boyles, FTW.
Score = 22
just amazing.
Score = 0
Broadway, snag her up! We need a new take on Fantine.
Score = 0
She really killed it. Amazing. I love Les Mis, but I think I love her more.
Score = 0
I want to be Susan Boyle's eyebrow's first kiss.
But I have a confession. I spent the second half of this performance attempting to reconcile how good I thought it was with how much that opinion was being informed by the fact that she's not very attractive. The result was less an epiphany of what's possible and more self-loathing at being a presumptive ass, which led to more self-loathing for being cynical about the whole thing.
So, thanks for ruining my day.
Score = 24
The me from before I saw this clip would agree with you- but this new improved and less cynical me is ignoring the long list of things that I could pick apart about the show, the clip, or our own reactions to it and I'm just enjoying being able to watch what was surely a special moment for, what seems like, a sweet lady. New beginnings everyone!
Score = 18
Will you teach me about this... what did you call it? A new way?
Score = 8
I thought that too. But I don't think that was cynicism people were exhibiting at the beginning, but rather contempt. People have contempt for people they are afraid of becoming. And I don't think the audience members were being self-righteous or hypocritical by lauding her. I think they were relieved. They felt better about themselves because all of a sudden she made them see that you don't need to put yourself through all the stupid and inane things you put yourself through to make yourself feel wanted or socially accepted. We're all insecure, and yet we all pretend that we're not by making fun of the Susan Boyles of the world. But in that single performance, the REAL Susan Boyles reminded us that our superficial insecurities are ultimately useless - and that's why we love her.
Score = 0
I love that she left on her own accord (4:25) and was all "eat that, fuckers!"
Score = 35
Didn't the male version of this woman win a past season of this show? They could devote a whole series to this. "Guess Which Frumpy Dumpy Can Sing?"
Score = -3
True, but I think this show is more about actually recognizing talent, compared to American Idol, which is about manufacturing a new popstar.
Score = 4
just cried a little.
Score = 10
I think Simon has an orgasm at 3:00, and rightfully so.
Score = 7
Aw man, it is too early in the week to be tearing up at work...
Score = 7
This whole thing felt very set-up. Like the judges and hosts were in on the joke of trying to fake out the audience and viewers with this ugly lady that can actually sing. Especially when the Seacrest wannabe looked at the camera and said "you guys didn't expect that now did you!?"
Score = -14
Why do you hate happiness?
Score = 33
Hey Dan, please get your own name. I was here first. Maybe something like Dan #2 or Lesser Dan. I'm just spitballing-something of that nature though.
Score = 20
Hey man, changed it just for you. what a shock that 2 people on here would have such a clever and original name as "dan" though
Score = 14
Hm. She has a very nice voice, but the crowd decided way too fast to start whooping (they were cued/coached, obvs) so loudly that you almost can't hear her, and they remain inappropriately raucous for the rest of the song. This is not the song for screaming your approval all the way through. STFU and let her sing a little without drowning her out? Thx
Either that or the whole thing is improperly edited, go figure.
Score = -5
Despite feeling a little staged, that was still a nice moment. The only problem was when at about 2 min in as my heart was swelling with joy, Femskins guy crept into my peripheral from the most commented side bar and all I could think about was whether or not Femskins guy can sing that well.
Score = 19
they did a great job of setting up the viewing audience and lowering expectations for susan during the actual broadcast as the contestant right before her was a guy who was trying to break the world record for eating the most Ferrero Rochers in a minute (7). he only ate 4
Score = 7
What!!??!?!? Non-attractive people are able to sing? WTF? If American Idol has taught me anything, it's that the unattractive should not be allowed to sing in public because they are bad people.
The whole thing seemed a little, ok a lot, condescending.
Score = 15
OH my god that made me so happy. I totally teared up. I think she magically transported that entire audience to another magical world and gently set them down there.
I love her just walking off after "nothing left to say. Killed it."
Score = 2
The truth is that the ability to sing well has nothing to do with how you look. It has a lot to do with the physical structure you're born with and how you train your vocal mechanism. Add good aesthetic sense, place on stage, and--voila!--you've got a kick-ass singer.
Score = -1
Uh...I was agreeing with what everyone else was saying--this lady can sing, and it's crap that people can be so unkind. Thank you.
Score = 0
Thanks professor.
I think we all understand good looks does not = talent... we're just enjoying a break and a sigh of relief from being the cynical a-holes that we all are most of the time (myself included)... vgum regulars are particularly awesome at being cynical a-holes (keep it up guys, you're doing great!), but it was nice to see everyone genuinely enjoy this clip. You give me hope people! And thanks Gabe for posting (even though we all know you stole this story from Lindsay).
Score = 2
Cowell's heart just grew three sizes (so did mine)
Score = 13
Hell if I was going to get all teary on a Monday at work after reading all the comments. But tear up I did. Awwwwwww...that was the best! All the way through to the end!
Score = -1
Whats with the pulling on heartstringsgum today?
Score = 3
I remember when Christopher Cross owned Top 40 Radio. Then a funny little thing called "videos" pretty much turned his career into nothing more than sucking cock at the bus station for pocket change.
Nice to see the tables turned one time.
Score = -1
I believe this is what Josh Groban was singing about when he said, "You raise me up..."
She's the "you."
Jesus, even a heartless, cold asshole like me got a little choked up. Well done Ms. Boyle.
Score = 7
I was having a shitty day and this cheered me right up.
I cried a little, it's true. I'm a sentimental fool.
Score = 1
I think my favourite thing about this is Amanda Holden's "look what a beautiful and sensitive snowflake I am that I can be so moved by the power of the human voice" which would be so much more affecting if she weren't a mid-level averagely talented telly actress with a grubby private life. Other than that, well done for turning the tables on the audience by reversing the whole 'she's a bit odd looking so she must be a talent graveyard' stereotype that you invented crappy TV talent shows. Oh and your singing was lovely Ms Boyle.
Score = 6
I thought the heartbreaking part (aside from her being amazing) was the "never been mah-ddied, never been kissed (sad face)" part. Sweet, unassuming ladies shouldn't be condemned to a solitary life with a cat named pebbles (adorable)... I just hope something works out for her from the publicity of this --staged or not, this was the best!
Score = 12
I'm just going to come right out and say it:
I hope this exposure gets her laid.
Score = 28
The judges' credibility is slightly undermined by the later STANDING OVATION for a woman waving her waps about (the fact that she is overweight is irrelevant; 'hey girls, you may be overweight, but one day you too can go on stage and wave your tits').
Score = -7
So if I understand correctly it is perfectly alright to make fun of people if they can't sing? You would be mocking her mercilessly if she hadn't pulled it off so well. She's a human being first. While this video is beautiful, this post is not. Snark really is destroying the internet.
Score = -1
Paul Potts 2, yes.
Would've enjoyed it more w/out those sidestage Dunkelmans, but congrats to Susan.
Score = 0
I had a bad day today and this made me cry and cry, in a good way. not quite sure how I'll explain it to my bf though. . .
Score = 0
come on. for rizeals? this is the most staged moment ever precisely because of the success of paul potts. like let's see remember when everyone talked about how heartstringalicious it was when that weird looking dude opera-ed the shit out of the roof and brought it down but he was really raising it? sharon boyle?! come on! sharon boyle is your ad executive dad's idea of what gets people teared up. the 3rd worst is the woman judge trying to look surprised. the 2nd worst is simon cowell's 3...2...1...SMIIILE atrocity, and the 1st worst are the Mr and Mr Seacrestington the 2nd being all "SEE! YOU'RE A JERK FOR THINKING SHE WOULD SUCK" right away. like 2 seconds into it. come on. i mean.
Score = -8
Well done , good luck, It's true we all judged you on looks etc.
All shallow ,You will go far in this show .
West Lothian rocks xX
Score = 0
I found out about Susan and her performance from a Group on Yahoo. The comment about the Utube piece was "Don't judge a book by its cover". Such an understatment!
It doesn't matter if the show staged the whole thing. It does matter that Susan can sing exceptionally well. And, my eyes teared, yes. The whole performance still overwhelms me today. She needs an agent that wiil not take advantage of her. Susan is a nice soul.
Score = 0
I hope she's now elbow deep in kindhearted gents a-wooing (that is, if she wants)
Score = 4
real talk--getting weepy at work--..emotional, unbelievable, emotional, fantastic.
Score = 0
This really shows how brainwashed we have come to believe that Conventional Beauty and youth =Talent. :(
Score = -1
Am a housewife,motherand greatgrandmother and I was total-moved by such a beautifull voice as well with Paul Pots . Along with Susan I look for more- -- - of there singing- - -bravo too both of you !! Don't ever stop singing your voices bring such joy and emotion to everyone Well done .
Score = 0
That girl on the cutaway at 1:23 - THAT'S your girlfriend.
Score = 2
You are amazing Ms. Susan Boyle.. You're the BEST!! You deserve the three "YES" from the judges.. Amazing.. Even from us who are on the other side of the world, we say Definitely "YES".. Congratulations and we hope to hear more from you soon.. Please do post more videos of Ms. Susan Boyle.. That's the only way we can watch her since we are far from Britain.. Thank you so much.. Or if anyone knows where I can subscribe, please do inform me.. Big Thanks!!
Score = 0
Now there's a life lesson in a most peculiar place. Susan is a hero to everyone who faces adversity in life. She's truly beautiful.
Score = 0
i had an awful day yesterday.....my girlfriend broke up with me over the phone on our anniversary...... the first time i've ever had my heart broken, and i'm 27.....seeing Susan Boyle sent me over the edge, and i cried the entire time i watched this. simply beautiful. she gives hope to those who have a dream, and truly shows that nothing is impossible. and what a great song....i love les mis, and she did this song justice. my favorite part of this song, and the part that hit me the hardest when she was singing, is:
"But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather.
I had a dream my life would be
So much different from this hell I'm living"
thank you Susan Boyle.....
Score = 5
haha... the 4:00 minute mark is priceless.
Score = 0
why is she wearing a wedding ring if she's "never been kissed"?
o yeah and good job.
Score = 2