Always remember- You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Winnie the Pooh

In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.Charlie Brown

Casting Pearls: Got Questions? Ideas? Comments? Tales? Laments? Email Away!


Sometimes I lie awake at night and I ask, "Why me?", then a voice answers "Nothing personal, your name just happened to come up."Charlie Brown

15 April 2009

She Dreamed A Dream...and Got The Last Laugh-A Fairy Tale Comes to Life

Don't live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable. ~Wendy Wasserstein





"I'm going to make that audience rock" she said as she waited to take the stage.

When Susan Boyle walked on to the stage of Britain's Got Talent television show to audition the live audience giggled and snickered and the judges could be seen rolling their eyes. She certainly didn't look like a would-be star. A bit pudgy, in need of a makeover ,but clearly feisty and confident in her own voice with a twinkle of "Just wait" in her eyes.

When Simon Cowell asked her the completely inappropriate question about her age she told him she was 47. The audience laughed at her- "and that's just one side of me"she said with great self deprecating humor. She is really 48, "unemployed but looking", lives alone in a village in Scotland with her cat Pebbles, "never been married,never been kissed". This "frumpy" middle aged spit fire sings in her church choir and wants to be a professional singer as famous as Elaine Paige. She had decided to audition after battling depression after losing her Mother-she had not sung since her Mother passed away and had never sung in front of a large audience. Her confidence in tact, she proceeded to turn the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" into a dream come true. In one amazing performance, that no one but her saw coming, Susan Boyle lifted the spirit of everyone who watched not to mention every woman over 40 and anyone who has ever known they were good but couldn't get past the first impression.


She wants to be as successful as Elaine Paige she told the judges...again more eye rolling ...Then she began to sing. Mouths dropped and the entire audience rose to their feet to cheer her on-she left the judges, even the curmudgeon-esque Simon Cowell, in complete shock

"...When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said you wanted to be Elaine Paige everyone was laughing...I'm reeling from shock...no one is laughing now..." "Everyone was against you...we were all being so cynical...the biggest wake up call ever...a complete privilege listening to that... stunning, incredible performance ...the biggest yes I have ever given anybody...mind blowing" the judges Pierce Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell exclaimed.

"Susan Boyle you can go back to the village with your head held high its 3 Yesses" Simon told her,and the audience that mocked her roared with elation

Over 5 million have seen this video. There are Susan Boyle websites and fan clubs popping up everywhere. It is the ultimate feel good story in a time that everyone needs to believe that anything is possible.

Susan Boyle's performance is a triumph not only for her but also for all women of a certain age who have a dream-The Ugly Duckling is indeed a Swan!