Eight months after being unknown outside the Scottish village of Blackburn, Susan Boyle is preparing for her second wave of global stardom.
The YouTube phenomenon of the year, Boyle took the world by storm in April after blowing away the judges and the crowd with her amazing rendition of I Dreamed a Dream on the U.K. reality TV show, Britain’s Got Talent. The clip quickly made its way to YouTube, which now has received some 250 million hits.
Now, the once-frumpy 48-year-old’s first album — titled I Dreamed A Dream — hits stores next week. Among the show tunes and standards, there are a few surprise song selections, including Madonna’s You’ll See, the Rolling Stones’ Wild Horses and the Monkees’ Daydream Believer.
The CD already has broken Amazon.com’s record for pre-sales.
Boyle makes her first visit to Canada next month, at a downtown Toronto autograph session on Dec. 21.
In an exclusive interview, she answered the following questions by e-mail, submitted to her through her London-based agent:
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Do you wish your transition to fame had been a smoother and slower?
“I think that success comes to everybody in different ways. I just feel very humbled that I had the opportunity at this time in my life.”
You now have had the chance to meet many of your idols. How do you relate to them? Have they provided you with any particularly helpful advice?
“I met Elaine Paige, who gave me a lot of useful advice ... Donny Osmond said how important it was to remain grounded, and that has always been something I strived for, as you have to remember who you really are.”
Did you always dream of being a singer?
“Yes. When I was younger I would come home from school, where I was often bullied, and I would go up to my bedroom, play my records and sing into my hairbrush. It was an escape for me. I used to imagine I was entertaining people.”
What made you decide to take part in the contest that would make you an international star?
“When my mother died, one of her wishes was that I would make something of myself, and I had approached a few TV shows. And then I saw Britain’s Got Talent and decided to apply. I had no idea that it would make me into a star. I just wanted to sing.”
Were you scared the first time you had to sing in front of millions of (TV viewers)?
“Well, I had been in a choir before and done some karaoke, so I had a little experience. Going in front of the judges on BGT was far more nerve-racking, but I didn’t think of anything apart from just singing the song.”
How has your life changed?
“My life is still basically the same, I still live in the same house in Scotland. I have had some lovely experiences and I get to travel a lot more. Also I am constantly meeting lovely people who have so many kind wishes, which is very humbling.”
How did you choose the songs on your album?
“I had my first meeting about the album in a pizzeria, and Nick my A & R man asked me which songs I liked, and which songs I felt defined my life. We came up with a list that day and quite a few of those original choices made the album. The rest of the songs were ones that I chose, because I felt they meant something that I could convey with honesty.”
Did you ever think about giving it all up after all the shock of becoming famous so fast?
“I just take each day as it comes.”
Your tour will bring you to many cities around the world. What are the countries you are most excited to see?
“I’m really looking forward to coming to Canada, as I have family connections there. I have also visited America and I’m looking forward to going back. I also want to see more of Europe. I’ve become a little more accustomed to travel now. Before I went on the show, I had only once traveled abroad — to Lourdes.”
How has your family reacted to all of your success?
“The people closest to me are pleased that I am achieving my dream.”
Who do you dream of meeting?
“The Pope.”
Do you know Celine Dion?
“I don’t know Celine Dion, but she sent me a very kind message ,which was very much appreciated.”
Do you watch yourself on YouTube?
“No I never watch myself because you only ever look for your faults. I best let other people watch me and be the judge.”
What do you think of the Internet and how information can get to millions of people so quickly?
“Before I went on BGT and this whole YouTube phenomenon blew up, I had never even heard of YouTube. I am only just beginning to understand how amazing the Internet is. I still don’t have my own computer but I keep thinking I might buy a laptop. And I see everybody else has iPhones and BlackBerries and I might consider one of those.”
How do you succeed, in your opinion, as a singer?
“I can only speak for myself. You just have to trust that one day your dream will come true, even if you think your time has passed. Success is a possibility for everyone.”
Did you ever consider quitting the business following the contest when the pressure was so high?
“When the pressure was high I had no idea if I even had a career. I didn’t learn until a while later that I was going to be offered a record deal by Simon Cowell.”
Money — does it change your life?
“I’ll have to come back to you on that when I’ve sold some records. I have bought some new furniture for my house, which I could not have afforded before.”
What does beauty mean for you?
“There is beauty in many things, and for me beauty lies in everything that the Lord provides.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
“I never think that far ahead. My catch phrase is “let’s just take baby steps,” so I just take each day as it comes. Sometimes I don’t know what is happening in two weeks. I just like to concentrate on the now.”
When you sing, how do you feel?
“Singing is a great release. It is a release of tension and pent-up emotion and a way of expressing my feelings.”
How did that song from Les Miserables come into your life?
“I went to see the play at the Edinburgh Playhouse shortly after my mother died, and I was immediately taken with I Dreamed a Dream, which is the voice of a mother wanting something better for her child.
