The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
She’s still dreaming the dream
Ahead of her performance at Glamis Prom on July 15, Susan Boyle speaks to Caroline Lindsay about life since Britain’s Got Talent
Like every other teenage girl in the early 1970s, a young West Lothian lass called Susan Boyle enjoyed nothing more than putting her Donny Osmond records on repeat while singing and dancing with a hairbrush in front of the mirror.
Unlike the others, this youngster possessed a voice that would make her a legend and open doors she could only dream of. No one who watched Britain’s Got Talent on the evening of April 11 2009 could forget the dumpy, frizzyhaired, self-confessed “wee wifey” who walked on to the stage to a backdrop of titters and sniggers from the audience – and then opened her mouth and began to sing. The pitch-perfect notes of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables soared to the rafters as jaws dropped to the ground.
Judge Amanda Holden described it as “the biggest wake-up call ever” and within hours the performance had racked up 300 million views on YouTube.
SuBo, as she would later be dubbed, was ultimately pipped to the post by dance group Diversity at the end of that series but there was still no doubt about it – a star had been born.
“I’ve always said that before BGT, I was like an outsider looking in,” says Susan softly. “Life was quiet, I looked after my mother until she died. Money was exceptionally tight, I used to fret as to how I was going to pay for gas and electric. I lived hand to mouth. I was happy and I had wonderful friends and family but I just knew that there was something missing in my life.
“I promised my mother I would make something of my life before she died. My inspiration for going on the show was to try to change my life for the better – and also meet Piers Morgan.”
Appearing on BGT took a physical and emotional toll on Susan. The day after the live final she was admitted to The Priory rehabilitation clinic to recuperate.
“To be honest, while I was pleased I had got so far in the show, I was devastated that it was over – I thought that was it and I would have to go home and go back and try to find something else to do,” she admits. “Never did I expect to have the career I have had over the past eight years.”
Her debut album, released in November 2009, became the UK’s biggest seller and Elaine Paige, one of Susan’s idols, called her “a role model for everyone who has a dream”.
She has since realised her own dream of singing a duet with Elaine – once in 2009 and then in 2015 at the Glamis Prom. “Elaine is a fabulous singer and a real pro,” she says. Susan will be back at Glamis Prom by popular demand next Saturday and is eager to get out in front of her fans against the stunning setting of the Angus castle. “I can’t wait to perform at Glamis again,” says Susan.
“I had such a wonderful time last time and the Scottish weather held out – it was a glorious, sunny day. The castle was absolutely stunning and, well, you can’t beat a Scottish audience.
“I don’t know how to put it into words but when they start cheering or applauding it’s electrifying. I think it’s incredibly special having your
My inspiration for going on the show was to try to change my life for the better – and also to meet Piers Morgan
fellow Scots there supporting you and expressing their joy. They really are just the best and the most vocal.”
The theme of this year’s Prom is An Evening at the Musicals but Susan is giving nothing away. “I don’t want to spoil any surprises. I’m doing quite a few different songs but I think – well, I hope – the audience enjoys them.”
Never happier than when she’s singing her heart out, she recalls a contented childhood filled with music and love. “My family were all very musically inclined – we were like the Scottish von Trapps!” she chuckles.
“There was always music in the house and it was my brother Gerry who bought me my first record player. I used to drive my family daft with my singing. When I was a bit older I joined the church choir and I loved singing there as well.”
From church choir to global sensation, Susan – who cites Ed Sheeran, Adele and Rod Stewart as her inspirations – enjoys travelling around the world to perform to packed houses.
“I love it. I love meeting fans from around the world and I also ensure that I have some time to go and see the local sights – I’ve learned to be a tourist at warp speed,” she laughs. “Life has changed beyond belief, travelling the world, meeting idols, performing and singing for extraordinary people. But ultimately I’m doing what I love.”
Touring and all it involves can be stressful for Susan but at least now she knows the reason why: after a lifetime of believing she had learning disabilities she discovered in 2013 that she actually has Asperger Syndrome – a condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
“I had a year to come to terms with it before making it public but it was actually a relief, the missing part of the jigsaw puzzle,” she says. “I don’t see it as a disability – of course, there are situations that upset me more than nonAsperger people but I’m learning how to cope with all of that now and have strategies that help keep me calm.
“Airports do stress me out but, then, they stress most people out but I’m learning and trying hard to not react to triggers.”
One such trigger occurred recently when a group of local youths attacked her in the street in her home town of Blackburn in West Lothian, the culmination of an ongoing campaign of intimidation. She was unharmed but the onslaught inevitably left her shocked.
“I am good at forgiveness,” she says. “They are kids, at the end of the day, they should know better and I want to give them the opportunity to see right from wrong. I’ve been bullied off and on for years and it’s always been dealt with – I am always apologised to and I believe in not retaliating. I just wanted them to have the chance to correct their behaviour and pack it in.”
There’s no doubt that this “wee wifey” is a brave and resilient woman, overcoming all kinds of obstacles to achieve success, and this is reflected in the motto on her website: A Wonderful World. Is that something she wakes up thinking about every day? “Well, I’d love to say I do but, no, not every morning,” she admits.
“I try to be upbeat and positive and make the best of the situation but I’m human and we have our good days and our bad days. I’m like everybody else. In comparison to many people, I’ve had it pretty easy. I’m independent and I try to be brave... that doesn’t mean I don’t have my moments where I shut the door and have a good old weep. I’m not superwoman.”
Perhaps not but with another album coming up and more performances in the pipeline, Susan is showing no signs of slowing down. She manages her many commitments by keeping her feet firmly on the ground. Back at home in Blackburn, West Lothian, she lives in the house she has always lived in and goes about her day-to-day life just like everyone else.
“I keep myself busy – I may walk to the supermarket or hop on the bus to Livingston or Edinburgh,” she says.
“I’ll cook, or if I have a performance coming up then I visit my vocal coach for rehearsals. I like being at home with friends and family, doing normal things.
“I love my freedom and independence and being in Blackburn, where I have lived my entire life. That normality means everything to me. Life is simple and low key at home but that’s how I like it – it ensures I don’t get too big for my boots.”