Potts: I'd Sing With Boyle

2007 "Britain's Got Talent" Winner Says He'd Perform With Leading '09 "BGT" Contender And Fellow Sudden Sensation

(CBS)  As a child, Paul Potts found solace in singing with his church choir to avoid being bullied by kids in school.

Nowadays, the British-born opera singer has the upper-hand.

He started out as an amateur singer and cell phone salesman. While struggling to pay the bills, he decided to apply for a spot on the popular U.K. reality show, "Britain's Got Talent," a move that would ultimately change his life.

He's been referred to as the "Susan Boyle of 2007."

Boyle skyrocketed to fame auditioning for this year's "Britain's Got Talent." Her looks may not be the easiest on the eyes, but her angelic voice has won over the world.

Like Boyle, Potts blew away the show's judges, including the grumpy and hard-to-please Simon Cowell. He did it with his rendition of "Nessun Dorma." And, like Boyle, Potts quickly became a star.

Cowell has even suggested that Potts and Boyle collaborate on a record.

But will they take him up on his offer?

Potts, like Boyle a YouTube sensation, rose to super-stardom with the release his first album, "One Chance," which sold 3.5 million and made it to No. 1 in 15 countries. His fame continued to grow as he embarked on a tour of 55 nations.

The winner of the "Best International Artist 2009" award stopped by The Early Show Saturday Edition's "Second Cup Cafe" to perform songs off his second album, "Passione."

And, when asked by co-anchor Chris Wragge if he'd sing with Boyle if approached, Potts said simply, "I would do it."

Has he been approached?

"Nothing as yet," he told Wragge. "I mean, we'll see what happens. I never second-guess the future. We'll see what happens in the future."

Potts also said Boyle showed again that, "The unexpected can happen at any time, and not just on TV, but all around you."

It's safe to say that Potts has found his true calling.

"I have had the most amazing two years and the next year is lined up to be equally challenging," he said on his official Web site. "I love what I do and want to be able to continue for years to come. Experience is my best teacher and I love to challenge myself.

"I love to lose myself in the world of music and with Julz (his wife) by my side, traveling the world and bringing opera to so many people I really am the luckiest man in the world. The stars were aligned the day I stepped on to the audition stage, Fate definitely stepped in."

[koshechka-2009]

Paul Potts is a POPERA singer not an opera singer. It takes a lot more to singing opera than singing an aria with a mike or winning a popular talent show. And by opera standards Paul Potts' performance of Nessun Dorma wasn't even good. Until he is invited to even a small professional opera singer, you have no right to call him "an opera singer".

[sam-kiley]

superbe potts..

[sam-kiley]

bonjour erika, bonjour chris.....
contente de voius revoir..
l'émission de cette semaine est extra, pott's a merveilleusement chanté barbara streisand "mémories"
bravo merci..

[boiler_tech]

I don't know what your "Democrats" reference is regarding this sweet article and frankly I don't care. Why don't you stay on topic discussing the good, bad, or otherwise comments regarding Potts and Boyle, rather than jump on your private soap box spouting off tangentially or even unrelatedly. If you discuss the article with a measure of focus and relevance you would be more likely to be taken seriously.

[NMlost]

Lovely, Sinibaldi1!

[budmag06]

Smart man. Too bad the judges ridiculed her before she opened her mouth. Now, that Susan has made her mark, she should leave the show and sign a contract. I agree, after all the "Look what are the Democrats doing." stories, this is refreshing.

[sinibaldi1]

The damask rose.

Often, when
a green and
delicate rose
appears near an
hopeful hedge,
a passing cloud
invents an emotion,
and even a smile,
like beautiful
thoughts in the
sun of your song.

Francesco Sinibaldi

[ramos1129]

In a world where news about bankruptcies, layoffs and the like are common, news about this young man and Susan Boyle are very welcome and refreshing. Beautiful wonderful young people.