Susan Boyle: Flash In Pan Or Real Deal?

Susan Boyle's astounding, sudden success just keeps on growing.

The dowdy, 47-year-old unemployed volunteer church worker from Blackburn, Scotland stunned judges, audience members and viewers alike a week ago with her performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" from "Les Miserables," and now the YouTube clip of her appearance has been seen more than 25 million times.

Boyle is front-and-center in the media spotlight. Fan mail is pouring in. She even has a
fan site already.

On CNN's Larry King live Friday night, Boyle proved she has no intention of being a one-hit wonder, belting out "My Heart Will Go On," first done by Celine Dion in the movie, "Titanic."

But will fame be fleeting for Boyle, or is this truly the start of something not only big, but long-lasting?

The Early Show Saturday Edition put that question to a panel of experts in its "Early Line" segment: talk-show giant and former "America's Got Talent" host Jerry Springer, who was speaking from Sarasota, Fla.; Amanda Holden, one of the three judges of "Britain's Got Talent," speaking from London; and, from Los Angeles, Patti Stanger, host of Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker."

Holden, who's seen in the now famous YouTube video, remarked to co-anchor Erica Hill, "The world has already made (Boyle) a star. I really cannot believe the phenomenon she's turned into. And I think, with our backing and with the show's backing, and, of course, with God's backing -- that's (fellow judge) Simon Cowell (of "American Idol" fame in the United States)(she said, kiddingly) -- I don't think she can possibly go wrong."

"I don't think there's any limit to" how far Boyle can go, Springer agreed. "And I think it's not just that she has a great voice, which she does, but it's the whole package.

"I think if you try to glam her up and make her look, you know, as much Hollywood as you can, then she's just another singer," Springer continued. "I think it's what we love about these shows is the human quality of it. That it's everyday people. Everyone has some kind of talent within them. It's an everyday person and, out of nowhere, we say, 'Whoa, you don't have to look like Hollywood to, you know, make it in the world.' I just love the way she is. I hope they don't mess with her at all."

Indeed, many feel Boyle's appearance is part of the essence of her success. Holden pledged, "We will not spoil her. I think it's right. I think it's very important, especially in today's climate, to hang onto your dreams, to believe in yourself and to keep it real. This is a reality show. It's about real people. And there is no way I'm letting this woman go to Simon's dentist or stylist. She will not be changing."

Stanger concurred, saying, "I just want her to be happy, because I feel like when they do give her the Hollywood, you know, fawn treatment, she could become someone else. I really want her to stay humble."

Springer added that there's a lesson for everyone in all of this, but particularly for young people: "You don't have to look like everybody in the magazines. If you have a talent, have confidence in yourself, go out and give your best shot. Sometimes you'll make it, sometimes you won't. But this woman obviously loves singing. She didn't come onto the show to be a star. She came on the show because she just loves what she does. And that's the joy in life. Stardom, you have no control over. Someone else will decide whether or not you're a star. But you can decide whether you want to do something you love every single day of your life."