It is safe to say that Susan Boyle has captured the attention of the world. After her April 11th 2009 success on the UK television show, “Britain's Got Talent”, Susan and her unforgettable voice have moved many who heard her sing to tears. The world, the judges and the audience were thoroughly surprised upon hearing her sing, as they had not expected to hear “the voice of an angel” come from someone who appeared to be so gauche and plain. Susan has shown the world that no one should prejudge another person based on their appearance, a lesson many of us seem to have forgotten.

Her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical Les Miserables has been viewed 100 million times as of April 20th on YouTube, said to be an online record for this web site. Her listening public includes Hollywood Stars Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, who brought her to the attention of the Twitter world. Susan has become a popular figure with bookmakers as well. In fact, she has become one of the biggest certainties in the betting history of all reality television. Live betting odds abound, with online bookmakers giving odds of 2/5 showing her as a favourite to win the talent contest.

Global sensation Susan Boyle is a single woman from West Lothian, Scotland. Sources say that Susan's birth was a difficult one, which caused her to be deprived of oxygen for a brief period. This perilous start in life is said to be the reason why she had learning difficulties in school. Cruel children teased her, calling her “Susie Simple”, but Boyle comforted herself by singing. Encouraged by her mother, Susan took singing lessons from a voice coach.

Unemployed except for a six-month stint as a trainee cook, Susan dedicated her life to caring for her elderly mother. She would sing at various local venues, including her church, where she is also a volunteer. Susan attended acting school, and in 1999 recorded “Cry Me a River” for a charity CD. Ms. Boyle also used all of her savings in 1999 to have a demo tape of her singing professionally cut. She sent the finished product to various record companies, local and national television stations, but got lost in the proverbial shuffle and never heard back from any of them.

Susan Boyle's mother passed away at the age of 91 in 2007. Susan has said that her mother always wanted her to try out for “Britain's Got Talent”, yet she did not feel compelled to do so until after her mother's death. Seeking a musical career is Susan's way of paying tribute to her mother. It has been reported that Susan is amazed at the world's reaction to her talent.

In a world where so many people are focused on a person's looks, almost at the exclusion of anything else be it talent or otherwise, Susan is a breath of fresh air. Her singing talent speaks for itself, and Susan's rise from obscurity will continue to garner the world's attention.