Susan Boyle had become an international Internet sensation last month with her incredible rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables.” But this Scottish singing sensation, 48, landed in second place after losing out in Saturday’s finale to the all-male British dance troupe Diversity. The group of street hoofers from London won the $160,000 (100,000 pounds) prize of “Britain’s Got Talent” and will perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen Elizabeth II.

However, she did not disappoint her fans, who, judging by the amount of traffic clogging the show’s Web site, were flocking to their computers to see her performance. Boyle was gracious in defeat. “The best people won,” she said. “They’re very entertaining. Lads, I wish you the best.” Diversity’s win came completely out of left field, as all signs pointed to victory for Boyle, a lonely church volunteer who shocked audiences with golden pipes.

Despite the loss, judge Simon Cowell said Boyle has “come out of this very well. We’ve never had a runner-up like Susan Boyle before. She’s won over a lot of fans tonight through her graciousness. She’s a really sweet person. She has a massive future ahead of her.”
For the show’s finale, Boyle, dressed in a shimmering, floor-length purple gown, performed “I Dreamed A Dream” from the musical Les Miserables - the same number she sang during her audition that won over millions and millions of fans. Here you can watch the video from the finale : Susan Boyle - I Dreamed A Dream Video. After she was done, she received a standing ovation.” That to me was THE greatest performance I’ve seen in Britain’s Got Talent history… you should win. I loved it,” judge Piers Morgan told Boyle as she walked away. Judge Amanda Holden was almost brought to tears. “You did it girl, you did it for Scotland,” she said. “Can I just say, Simon had a tear in his eye and I’ve never seen that before.”
After the performance, the show’s hosts acknowledged the pressure Boyle has been under this week, to which she said: “I want to thank the people for all the support they’ve given me, especially the people at home and people in the audience. Thank you all very much.”
Asked if it was worth it, she replied, “Well worth it! Well worth it! To hell with everything!” Asked if she feels at home onstage, she said, “I really feel at home onstage, of course I do, I’m among friends am I not?” she asked, looking straight into the crowd.
Looking back on the experience, Boyle said Saturday: “What a journey. Unbelievable, very humbling.”
As for her future, she told viewers, “I hope to get an album out. Who knows? I will just play it by ear.”

This entry was posted on Monday, June 1st, 2009 at 7:15 am and is filed under News.