Susan Boyle

Scottish singer who rose to fame on a British talent show. Boyle has earned six Guinness World Records since 2010, that year receiving records for Fastest-selling Album by a Female (UK), Most Successful First Week UK Debut Album Sales, as well as Oldest Artist to Reach No. 1 with a Debut Album (US & UK).

Boyle is the youngest of nine children and reportedly suffered some oxygen deprivation at birth, resulting in learning disabilities. Never married, she lived with her parents, working in low-level jobs and volunteering in the church. Her father died in 1997 and her mother died in 2007, after which Susan became distraught. Her music gave her great comfort and she auditioned for Britain's Got Talent in the hopes of launching a music career in her mother's memory. When she appeared on stage on 11 April 2009 her appearance belied her talent but she wowed the audiences with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Miserables. The clip of her performance is one of the most-viewed on YouTube.

News reports made much of this plain-looking middle-aged woman. For subsequent performances on the show she underwent a slight make-over. She made it all the way to the finals based on judges' and viewers' votes. However, the ensuing publicity was a lot for her to handle. Although she sang well on the last evening of the competition (30 May 2009) she came in second, while a dance group took first prize. She was rushed to a London health care facility that night reportedly suffering from an anxiety attack. She was released from the clinic within the week.

Her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, was released on 24 November 2009 and it quickly shot to the top of the charts. The success was continued with her second album, The Gift (2010), and was followed by Boyle's third album, Someone to Watch Over Me, released on 31 October 2011. On 12 May 2012, Susan returned to Britain's Got Talent to perform as a guest in the final singing "You'll See".