Never judge people on their appearance...

[shootingstar]

Wow, her delivery was a knockout. And she chose the right song for herself to infuse it strongly with passion.

[salsabike]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

[smilingcat]

here is another clip where someone has melded a video from Elaine Paige and Susan Boyle and you can see and hear the difference between the two singers.

It is just amazing. I'm very challenged musically but I thought she was good as Elaine Paige singing the same song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbRy05DToiY

And it hasn't been even a week yet since her performance. Interview by BBC Scotland, interview by several other news channels. One person saying "her life will never be the same again" is sure right and I wish it will be for better.

I also loved the comment from the director (or was the producer of) Les Miserable production on West End giving his whole hearted approval of Ms. Boyle's performance.

I can't wait to hear her sing more.

[Cataboo]

I haven't watched the british version of these shows - but I did see one season of american idol (way back in the first year of grad school... when I'd just leave the tv on for noise)...

And given from what I remember of that season, I'd say in general... the judges did treat Susan relatively nicely at the beginning... They obviously thought that they were humoring her... But from an american idol point of view, Simon was actually being fairly nice.

I think anyone who has seen the shows pretty much expects to be ripped to shreds by Simon.

I'm not saying that excuses any of it, but that's the norm on these shows.

[Biciclista]

She looks a lot like my cousin!

[Becky]

She looks a lot like my cousin!

Are those fresh figs?!? Yummy!

[ZenSojourner]

I never watch any reality TV, so the fact that I've seen enough of AI to really hate Simon whatsis name speaks to just how mean and nasty that man is.

A friend sent me that clip yesterday without saying what it was about. As soon as I got a look at her and realized Simon was on the panel of judges, my heart went out to her. The man is just unspeakably cruel every chance he gets. Can't STAND him!

The look he gave her when she walked out on stage was barely veiled contempt. And there was a close up of a girl in the audience who was just making the most ridiculous faces - 12 million people have seen her on YouTube as well, and of the two, guess which one I think is the more unattractive.

The face he made when she stated her age was inexcusable as well. I liked her style, pushing it right back in his face that way, LOL!

I was overjoyed when she started to sing. There's no better way to stick it to Simon than to do well despite his biases.

I wish her the best and hope good things come of this for her.

[OakLeaf]

I've never watched AI, only seen clips like this, but I've seen enough to know that Simon is playing a role. You're supposed to hate him, his behavior is supposed to be inexcusable, he's like the "bad guy" in pro wrestling.

The trouble is that Simon's role validates the behavior of spectators like the ones who were shown on the video. (Not that he's the only - or even the most important - influence in the mass media these days encouraging people to behave like that. But no politics, right? )

Props to Susan Boyles. It is a cool story and I hope she goes far, not just for herself, but as an example to audiences.

We went to hear Julia Fischer perform with the NY Philharmonic last fall, and a friend of ours, who is much more familiar with the music scene than we are, remarked how you need to be "hot" to be a soloist nowadays. It's not just "popular" music. So less than spectacular looks are a real hurdle for an aspiring performer to overcome - probably more so for a woman than a man, but I'm sure it's true for both sexes.


PS Mimi- no fair showing those figs unless you're going to share!

[GLC1968]

I saw her story on my local news tonight. It's become soooo widespread that I wonder if she really had any idea what she was getting herself into. Wanting to sing in front of a big audience was one thing...world wide internet sensation is something else entirely.

People are assuming that 'her life is going to be so much better now". I don't agree. I just hope that she's got the 'pluck' to say no when no is necessary and that she can still have some semblance of a life.

Luckily, I think she does have the strength of character to handle this all with grace and ultimately come out ahead.

[wildeny]

I never watch any reality TV, so the fact that I've seen enough of AI to really hate Simon whatsis name speaks to just how mean and nasty that man is.

A friend sent me that clip yesterday without saying what it was about. As soon as I got a look at her and realized Simon was on the panel of judges, my heart went out to her. The man is just unspeakably cruel every chance he gets. Can't STAND him!

The look he gave her when she walked out on stage was barely veiled contempt. And there was a close up of a girl in the audience who was just making the most ridiculous faces - 12 million people have seen her on YouTube as well, and of the two, guess which one I think is the more unattractive.

The face he made when she stated her age was inexcusable as well. I liked her style, pushing it right back in his face that way, LOL!

I don't have a TV but I noticed this news on BBC. However, since I never like to watch this kind of shows, I didn't go to check the youtube clip. Until I heard it from my friend, saying "just google her".

When I watched the clip, I didn't know what I would expect. Yes, that guy who interviewed Susan -- Simon? -- was very rude to her.

Susan must have gone through this kind of judgmental looks all through her years. It's great that she has that spirit to show them who she is and what she is capable of.

I don't think I'd have her courage to face similar situations. Well done, Susan.

More. The recent comment on the youtube clip said that you guys just have to watch more operas and then you won't be too surprised, something like that. No. Not really, even in opera.

In the old days, we can tolerate singers to be fat, but, still, the singers had to be "presentable" on the stage. Nowadays, we even hardly see these overweighted sopranos or tenors in opera. Even now most of the classical music performers have good looks, especially the younger generations.

[Trek420]

In the old days, we can tolerate singers to be fat, but, still, the singers had to be "presentable" on the stage. Nowadays, we even hardly see these overweighted sopranos or tenors in opera. Even now most of the classical music performers have good looks, especially the younger generations.

Woah there. Trek sighs, now here this thread goes on another tangent.

Since when did good looks equal thin?

Since when does not being "presentable" mean fat?

Sure, if you're going to sing Carmen, for the role it's best to be young and slimmer soprano (or is it an alto part? ). But the voice itself could be any skilled singer.

I can't find the quote but I once read and interview with Aretha Franklin saying she has a "singing weight". She struggled with weight but found if the gets too thin to be "presentable" the voice, which is her gift suffers.

Lastly I'll say this about that I find many of us (us meaning cyclists as a group, this group as a whole) do not deal well with issues of race and class which for some can include weight. My LBS has a loyal growing client list of cyclists of color . This is great for him and great for them as their money is just as green and he's a great wrench.

But I sadly hear reports of poor treatment at other shops and even on rides, being ignored or worse. All this in the bluest of blue areas of a blue state.

How many of us are Bikesnob______ (your city here) if someone doesn't look good, or has a cheaper bike? Have you made a choice who to hang back with, help or ride with based on how they look?

In talking to friends and coworkers about my sport I've been told

"cycling? I won't ever ride again, that's a rich white skinny person's sport".
"well you play golf, and tennis, and I'm not skinny or rich so?"
"yes, but they welcome me at the club and the links. I went to a shop, tried to join a ride and .... "

Lucy, we as a cycling culture "got some 'splaining to do" if we want this sport to grow especially in the US. I think Susan's appearance on the scene is a teachable moment to think and talk about who and how do we prejudge and how does it effect them and ultimately us