Where Went Susan Boyle?

(CBS)  This story was filed by CBSNews.com's London-based entertainment contributor Neil Sean.

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Susan Boyle, the "Britain's Got Talent" runner-up who rocketed to global fame via YouTube, may greet holiday shoppers this year at London's iconic Harrods department store.

Harrods' bosses are keen to get the singing diva to sign on the dotted line early, for a reputed $83,000 performance during the store's renowned Christmas and New Year's sale.

Other stars, including Posh Spice and "Desperate Housewife" Eva Longoria have done the honors in past years, but it appears Harrods' higher-ups are after a way to get in touch with a broader fan-base.

A Harrods source says the store needs "to readdress the style of the customer at certain times, and she has touched so many members of the public with her drive and determination."

It's a brilliant blend of brands; the sheik, classic Harrods name with the "everywoman" Scottish spinster who made it big.

Boyle will apparently be taking her first-ever tour of the store soon - behind closed doors - in a bid by managers to win her over on the idea.

So what has Ms. Boyle been up to since she shot to fame and then quickly faded from the front pages?

Appearing recently on a U.S. show, SuBo, as she is not-quite-affectionately known here in the U.K., unveiled a dramatic new look, meant to give the diva a sleeker style.

A source close to the singer says she's "thrilled with the makeover," but other team members feel her original appeal has been washed away by over-the-top styling and beautification that may erode her fan-base at home. There are rumors, however, that she may end up on the front cover of one of the world's glossy magazines, a la "Vogue" or "Harpers Bizarre".

Susan is no fool - wiser than she appears on screen or in interviews, she has already bested the winners (dance troop "Diversity") of the talent show which made her name household conversation fodder around the world.

Boyle convinced Simon Cowell to sign her up for her now-forthcoming album release - three tracks are already in the bag: "Memory" from the musical "Cats"; "Cry me a River," the Julie London classic and, of course, "I Dreamed a Dream," her YouTube smash from the musical "Les Miserables".

Promotion plans are underway and Syco music, the album's producers, are already predicting a world-wide hit, with timely TV show appearances on both sides of the Atlantic, including planned visit with Oprah Winfrey.

While many Americans are still in love with the diva, it's a different story in Britain.

She has some publicity hurdles to conquer in the U.K. after a tabloid outburst of swearing and a stay at a posh retreat for therapy. A recent online poll shows her decision to be interviewed first on U.S. television did not go down very well at home. Many British fans used their hard-earned cash to vote her into fame in the first place.

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Neil Sean is a U.K. entertainment columnist and TV commentator. His reports are heard on more than 100 U.K. radio stations and he has a show on The Biography Channel.
By Neil Sean

[lynnlynn22]

Come on over Susan Boyle (Lady Susan), We want you here.We will
treat you better than the U.K.

[wisconsinusa]

You are not worthy to comment on Susan Boyle. Are you an adult? Your writing is horrible. I cannot believe that CBS would actually hire, or pay someone of your low status, or allow you to publish. You are a leftover from the National Enquirer who is illiterate!!

[lundbf]

Come on, "Mrs Buns"... everyone who knows you can see through the screen name changes. We ALL think you are prettier than John Cleese in drag. Don't let that drunk who made the John Cleese comment keep you away. We MISS you here on Karaoke night. Nobody sings "I Dreamed a Dream" better than you (at least in the key you sing it) or looks prettier than you do when you wear that little red number. Leave these nice people alone and come back to the people who love you in spite of your patchy facial hair. Bernie the bartender misses you, too.

[lundbf]

Useless, stupid article. What else can you expect from a gossip columnist. I guess a "cheeky" limosine chaser can't be expected to proofread before publishing. You've touched a nerve here, Neil. Don't mess with our Lady Susan. Let's give you a nickname, Neesee. There we go... Neesee, as he is not-quite-affectionately known here in the US, writes like a second grader and needs to keep his blather off the Internet.

[USA789]

Here in America, Susan Boyle is respected, loved and appreciated. Looking forward to her visit. Susan Rocks!

[mizzy42]

I hope it's not true of Brits in general, but, from news accounts, postings, etc, the Brits appear to be hypercritical and, I'm sorry say, they give the impression of bring cranky and cruel, and prone to degrading. From the start, based on news accounts, many in the UK didn't treat her well. I hope the team mentoring Susan helps her to deal constructively with the negativity. She has a beautiful voice, and if she is able to live her dream, the more power to her. Go girl!!

[dublingausafan]

I would think there are many, many uk fans of susan boyle . perhaps they are not the type to comment on tabloid type articles. on the bgt final susan gracioulsly thanked all those from her home and all those who had supported her. Susan is a true Scotttish lady -a lovely individual with a beautiful voice and a thoughtful and kind demeanor.Susan is being managed by professionals who will decide where she should perform to enhance her success. by coming to the us or singing at the classical dept store susan is not sending messages about who she prefers but what is appropriate for her business reputation as well as what suits her style as a lady from scotland.

[JolyJoly]

SuBo is a contraction of her name and does not contain any negative connotation that is not applied by the person who uses it. It is affectionate to most of the world, which has no ulterior motive in trying to trash the untrashable Ms. Boyle. As to any outburst there may have been to the British tabloids, it could not have been a fraction of what they should have received. Crying when you are repeatedly hit is a sign of sanity. Hitting someone just for the pleasure of it, is not. Or was there something else going on...say, bookies standing to lose millions of $$$ if Susan won? Please be well informed that Susan's fans want what is best for her and what she wants for herself. She does not need to corral her best potentials in order for us to like her. That is just another demeaning remark from someone who can't see past the tip of your own nose. I don't think you deserve outrage, your article seems well meant. But Americans are frustrated with the on-going difficulty of getting unbiased and factual reporting. In Britain, according to your viewpoint, Ms. Boyle is pretty much damned no matter what she does or does not do. But I do not believe your version represents the people of your country any more factually than it does Ms. Boyle. This is just lazy reporting. Harrods would not invite her if she weren't a huge draw. It is a great honor and I am sure they and Britain will be hugely delighted with the result. Never underestimate the power of a good woman.

[hyphenate]

This article really begs the question: why would a leading media entity, in this case CBS News, rely on a columnist whose grasp of the English language is so shoddy, when there are hundreds--perhaps thousands--of writers out there with the requisite command of the language and the ability to file a report without such egregious errors?

Perhaps I have overestimated the power of the written word--in days long gone by, that writing was capable of starting and stopping wars, flattening critics, and helping establish the Fourth Estate as an independent voice in world affairs.

And yet, a fluff piece such as this, with little new information or substance is so maladroitly executed that I have to wonder where Mr. Sean earned his journalism degree--was it in the box of cereal he bought for breakfast? Could it have even been possible that he got it through the National Enquirer's correspondence course? Or was he lucky and the first candidate to apply after the sudden departure of a more august reporter?

It is also obvious that Mr. Sean should purchase a new dictionary, as his old one must be missing quite a few pages. Others have already pointed out some glaring examples of homophones in the article--it is not necessary for me to repeat them. One only needs to question whether the English language is Mr. Sean's primary language, or if Pig Latin is.

[cculposf]

Neal Sean, I thank you for your article but you are human and you have some mistakes in your article which have already been highlighted. Your article points out that the UK is upset with Lady Susan because of the situations that occurred in London during the BGT competition (old news). Then you write that the UK is upset because she interviewed with an American broadcasting network rather than with a UK network. Another point, SUBO, which some of us in American do not deem to be a respectable monicker for one so loved around the world, was a named the tabloids in London ascribed to Ms.Susan Boyle.
I ask you a question, Mr. Neal Sean, if your fledgling career and your personality were racked over hot coals for the past two months in the UK media and at the same time over 90% of adoring and loving fan mail is coming from the United States; where would you want to have your interview first? This is not to say that our Lady Susan is giving up on the UK. One of the beautiful things about Susan Boyle is that she is forgiving, as evidenced during her initial audition when she sang her heart out and turned the snickering audience and judges into adoring fans. Our Lady Susan has been tormented, jeered, called demeaning names and intentionally 'wound up' for the purpose of media fodder. Although hurtful, Lady Susan recovers and emerges a tad more conscientious of the games being played. Yet, she believes the learning experience is "well worth it" and she continues to want to perform before her adoring fans and skeptics alike, giving them both her heart and soul performances and closing by giving all her signature symbol of affection--blowing kisses to all. So, be not afraid UK fans, Lady Susan is not abandoning you, rather you should look at it as you sharing Lady Susan with the world. And we, of the world,thank you.

aka: cicichi

[JoMichael]

Agree with all you said except: "SuBo" is an affectionate nickname given by AMERICAN fans. When we like a celeb, we shorten their names, like "J-Lo" for Jennifer Lopez, "Brangelina" for Brad and Angelina.