Spinster’s Got Talent
NS April 11th, 2009
This is shocking, apparently: An unmarried woman in her 40s who fits the stereotype in every way (frumpy, shapeless clothes; wild hair; no makeup; eccentric and assertive behaviour; lives alone; has cats) can….wait for it….HAVE TALENT!
When an unassuming lady named Susan Boyle walked onto the stage at auditions for tv show Britain’s Got Talent, the judges and audience rolled their eyes and grimaced. This woman couldn’t possibly possess skill at anything other than cat care or lesbianism, surely! They looked at one another knowingly when she reported that she had never married and was 47. When Simon Cowell asked her who she aspired to sing like and she answered “Elaine Page,” everyone sniggered. All three judges were looking around in boredom and bemusement when she began singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. Within seconds, their faces changed to ones of awe and piety. As Boyles’s voice soared and tears formed in audience members’ eyes, Ant and Dec, the presenters backstage, said “You didn’t expect that, did you?” in absolute shock.
She was phenomenal, no question. The arrogance of those who judged her made Susan’s success all the sweeter. But why did they judge her talent based on how she looked and her marital status? Are we so shallow as a society that those two things are primary criteria for ascertaining whether or not someone will have talent or the ability to be successful? Ridiculous.
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- Comments(12)
Having been wearied by years of freak-screeching in the early rounds of ‘talent shows’ such as this, having all ones preconceptions shattered tonight was about the only original aspect of the programme.
Mind you, didn’t she have a funny teeth and weird eyebrows (guffaw guffaw guffaw).
I just watched this with my partner, and even my three-year-old said “Wowee Mummy!” I just wanted to shake the judges though. “Who’d have thought, physical appearance and vocal talent have absolutely no bearing on one another?!”
What’s next? Impossibly good looking person who can’t sing at all? No, wait, that’s been done countless times…
great performance! i love that she was able to shock ‘em all! a great song from les mis and a great voice to top it off!
(i emailed you a new youtube link to update your video as your current one is not working)
Of course we’re that shallow. At least shows like this give the idiots an idea that appearances aren’t everything.
Thanks for sharing this as I’m not in UK any more. I had also missed the Potts guy from the 2007 show – I’m such a sop, couldn’t hold back the tears.
It was bittersweet. I’m 41, and about the same in the “frumpy looks” department (although I am married with a family).
I was not surprised at how the audience reacted to her because I’ve had that my whole life, not being taken seriously unless I put on some make up and wear clothes with a fancy label…
It was extremely revealing about our society. It was like it was acceptable to snigger, point, laugh, roll their eyes, until she knocked them over with her angelic voice. Like they needed a reason to act like human beings, suddenly she was accepted.
good for her! as a society we have our judgement so clouded by stereotypes and assumptions that we often fail to look past physical appearance and really recognize people for their intelligence, personality and talents. maybe audiences and judges will think twice next time before jumping to conclusions.
Wow, I haven’t seen that. And yes, I think we are so shallow. Just look at how many attractive but talentless ‘stars’ there are. Or the whole celebrity thing – people who are famous for doing, well, nothing, but looking good… Or how celebrated some models are, no matter how mannerless or rude they behave in public. It is sad, really.
I JUST saw this on some TV show. Didn’t some frumpy, snaggle-toothed Brit do the same thing last year when he burst out with some incredibly angelic opera singing? I love that these NORMAL looking people have the guts and fortitude to put themselves out there for the whole world to snicker and scoff at them only to shut us all up. LOVE IT.
@WP – That’s true enough; t’was the best part of the program, for sure.
@Anji – I know, it’s amazing that it’s not been made illegal to have them be mutually exclusive.
@Adam – Thanks for the new link!
@Mon – Still haven’t seen the Potts guy but will have to now. I think I’ve watched the vid six times now and still get goosebumps every time.
@vanillasocks – Yep, exactly. I even find myself not being taken as seriously by store clerks or customer services people if I don’t have makeup on or am wearing slightly scruffy clothing.
@andrea – Yes, hopefully this will make people think before judging so quickly again. Particularly that young girl who rolled her eyes and smirked in disbelief when Susan said she wanted to be a professional singer. Her facial expression was one of near-disgust, which is just really sad.
@Metropolitan Mum – Case in point: Paris Hilton.
@Jessica – Yes, apparently, though I haven’t seen it. I too like that at least in Britain it’s somewhat more acceptable to not be a cookie cutter beauty or have perfect teeth or the perfect tan. When I go back to the States for visits I find myself simultaneously horrified and transfixed by the ‘beautiful people’ on tv and the news. It’s like ‘ugly’ (i.e. ‘normal’) people are not allowed.
Whew!! When I started reading the first paragraph I was afraid you were writing about me!! (Frumpy, old, wild haired cat person).
One thing that made me feel uncomfortable.
I have read all of the “Don’t judge a book by its cover” comments, and yes, I agree with that.
But for me it goes a little deeper. I still think the audience and judges didn’t quite get it. They were sorry for their rude behaviour, *because it turns out that she could sing*. The eyerolls and the snickers were rude, immature and uncalled for. Period.