Singing Boyle

Today's underdog: Susan Boyle

American Idol. The X Factor. America's Got Talent. The Voice. There has been an explosion in TV talent shows, in contests for the average person wishing to overcome the odds and become famous. We all have that fantasy, of suddenly being thrust into the world's spotlight of fame. But as we dabble in this delightful dream, we judge these contestants' chances rather viciously. Often, we converse over the likely failure of certain contestants. This was never more true than when Susan Boyle stepped out on the stage of Britain's Got Talent to sing. The world expected that for her, the fantasy would fall short. But Susan Boyle defied the odds. Susan Boyle's fantasy didn't fall short. Susan Boyle sang, and in her first performance, she wowed.

Were you wowed? Because I was so wowed, that two returns and a new paragraph and that performance still didn't sit in. I find the faces in the audience as well as those of the judges demonstrate how truly surprising Boyle's performance was, as well as providing a mirror to many watching at home. But why is she an underdog? Why did that surprise us? Why, when Susan Boyle walked out on that stage to seek the same fantasy so many of us long for, did we laugh instead of cheer?

To start, Boyle had a rather difficult childhood (more here). She was deprived of oxygen as a baby long enough to cause brain damage, leaving her with a learning disability. Through school she was often bullied, and despite her talent for singing, found little success. She auditioned on other talent shows, but did not find fame, and then, after her father's death, had to take care of her ill mother. Soon thereafter her sister died. Then, her mother followed. Susan was crushed, and stopped singing for two years. She was finally convinced to try out for Britain's Got Talent in 2009, and what followed is encapsulated in that incredible performance given above. Given her roots and her struggles, Boyle's success was not going to come easy, and thus her status as an underdog is unquestionable. But is that why we, the audience, were shocked by her talent? Is that why we, who had no knowledge of Boyle's childhood, surprised? Of course, not.

More likely, Susan's looks caused the audience to expect failure. Let's be honest. If you had listened to Boyle with your eyes closed, who would you expect to be singing? What would she look like? When you did watch, and you saw that odd woman walk out, were you expecting such a great performance? Boyle's greatest shock was that her incredible talent wasn't met with the looks and character associated with famous musicians. But perhaps, once her talent was realized, it was this contradictory fact that propelled her to fame. She was what others weren't. Talented, but a little different. In this fact, we can extrapolate a little for our cause of the winning underdog way. While talent may be a prerequisite, sticking to your own ideals and ways can serve you better than conforming to the standard. At least that's what Susan Boyle's incredible story shows us. So go sing in the shower. Your underdog fantasy may be the next to be fulfilled.