Comments on: Judges Apologize To Susan Boyle

On Early Show, They Say Sorry For Judging Her At First By Her Looks, Before She Belted Out Tune That Made Her Famous

[dlorrainey]

I'm glad that Susan Boyle had the courage to continue pursuing her dream and got a chance to show the world her wonderful talent! I'm also ecstatic that The Early Show is launching their own search for "America's Susan Boyle" as a result of the world's overwhelming response to Susan's unlikely superstar possibility.
In response to Maggie's question, "why haven't we found our Susan Boyle" . . . I got your "Susan Boyle" right here - and I even auditioned for the 1st season of "America's Got Talent"! The reality and truth of these auditions is that the hundreds of people that audition each day are screened by unknown staff judges who videotape each audition for possible review by a selection committee after all auditions from that city are finished.
Here's how my audition went: I waited about 4 hours to be called into an audition room for my shot. I handed my CD of music only for "At Last" by Etta James to one of the 4 judges to pop into a boombox. They started the videotape and told me to stand on an X on the floor, state my name and title of the song I was singing. I started singing and all 4 of the judges looked up at me with surprised looks on their faces. A door opened in the back of the room and a 5th person walked in and stared at me as if in amazement. The lead judge, a woman, stopped me before the end of the song and said, "You have a beautiful voice! Obviously you're a professional. Where do you perform around L.A.?" I told them that I was not a professional singer and not performing anywhere. They asked me what I do for a living and I told them I'm an engineer. All 5 judges told me I should be singing instead and that I have a great voice. Then the lead judge asked me to sing another song without music where I could build up to a high note. I sang again and they stopped me and said, "ok, thanks, you can go and send the next person in, please". The guy who controlled the boombox handed my music CD to me and said, "Thanks! That was awesome!" So I left the audition room floating on a cloud and excited about the possibility of being called back to a second round of auditions for the show only to be left hanging and never getting a call back.
To make a long story short, "America's Got Talent" is not interested in showcasing the most talented people. They want drama, amazing stories, underdogs, and most of all people or acts they can turn into high drawing Vegas Shows. This prize is very different than a chance to sing for the Queen.
So I'll keep trodding on and keep trying for my big chance by auditioning and never giving up! By the way, I'm also a 47 year old woman who's hoping for my singing dream to come true some day. . .
So hurry up Monday!!!

[imapackrat]

I watched this with tears in my eyes. Beauty does that to me. She is amazing, and all the good things she has done in her life has paid off. This is a true Cinderella story. Bless you Susan. I thought she was cute as a button when she walked on stage. I'm sad to see the insults are allowed here. All my kids 23-15 had goosebumps. Real love of excellence has no age lines.

I'm also glad this has brought attention to the "got talent" shows. American Idol has lost it's luster for people my age. (47 as well) They keep churning out the same old thing. I'm glad a show that allows people over 28 to have their dreams come true.

[ohgrowup]

Give me a break, this is a prank created by the judges to see where it would go. Sick!!!

[Gus1967]

Dear mrswilson1944, you must be a really mean person. You should be ashamed of yourself. Luckily for you, no one can see your ugly heart because no one would ever want to kiss you!

[2bgregarious4u]

I wonder what picture would have come into peoples minds if they weren't able to see the person singing? Just proves how prejudice we as human beings are at times. When we make an assumption prior to fact, a lot of times we get egg on our faces, as did the judges in this case.

[tmonta67]

If Susan wants to "modernize" her look, there are PLENTY of TV stylists there who could advise her. Different hair, a new wardrobe, eyebrow shaping and some different makeup and she'd be a pretty woman by most standards (whatever they're worth). It's up to her. and if she wants to be herself and to hell with what the world thinks of her looks, then more power to her. I'll listen to her sing no matter what she looks like, any day of the week.

[sonyver]

she have a lovely voice. She have a blesing from GOD.

[realnews12]

It seems to me that it's just another insult to tell her "I'm sorry we judged you on your looks". That's just telling her that her looks were laughable and suggested she was likely to be stupid and talentless. Not a very good way to make up for having insulted her in the first place. 'You're an excellent singer in spite of the fact you look frumpy" says "you look frumpy" as well as "you're an excellent singer". The negative reactions to her appearance on stage were shallow and embarrassing. Who do these people (the judges) think they are ?

[pd86]

what is up with finding "america's susan boyle"? you know what i think it is? i think we need to stop looking within these borders and start appreciating all that is out there.

[talaan77]

Posted by duffs64

These auditions usually have hundreads in attendance so the auditions are usually just a few seconds and you get a yes or no, which are not always based on singing. The auditions are not done by the host or by the judges.