AP
Published 10:48 31 May 2009
Susan Boyle gave a final curtsy, a shimmy of her hips, and walked off stage, leaving the winners to perform an encore on Britain's Got Talent finale.
London: Susan Boyle gave a final curtsy, a shimmy of her hips, and walked off stage, leaving the winners to perform an encore on Britain's Got Talent finale.
Boyle finished second in the reality show where she became an internet phenomenon after her audition; with her show-stopping voice combining with her frumpy appearance making her a must-see on YouTube.
For the finals, she returned to the song that made her famous, I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables.
She wore a glamorous but modest sparkly floor-length dress, and her once-grey frizzy hair was a soft brown halo.
She appeared more polished and animated than in previous performances, but seemed uncomfortable during banter with the judges after her song.
Judge Simon Cowell said Boyle had a rough brush with fame, but that she was "a nice, shy person who wants a break."
The week leading up to Saturday's performance had been a tumultuous one for Boyle. She lost her cool during a confrontation with two reporters, and the police intervened.
Another contest judge said Boyle had contemplated pulling out of the program to soothe her frazzled nerves.
"A lot of people said you shouldn't even be in this competition, that you weren't equipped to deal with it," Cowell said. "I totally disagree with that. You had the guts to come back here and face your critics and you beat them."
Asked about her career plans after the show, Boyle told broadcaster ITV that she hoped to get an album out, and will "just play it by ear."
Boyle was up against a host of everyman acts determined to find stardom on reality television, including a 12-year-old whose voice was compared to Michael Jackson's.
Winning group Diversity are a 10-person dance troupe who range in age from 12 to 25-years-old. Their act won praise throughout the competition, but they weren't seen as front-runners.
Their victory earned them 100,000 pounds ($159,000), and the right to perform for Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Show in December.
Your comments
We only pass in this life once, making it worthwhile to look back to is something not everyone could do. Susan Boyle has made her mark around the globe enough to make her name immortal in this world. it's more than winning, right? Great job Susan!
Ludy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 31, 2009, 14:54
win or no win, she has already become a star and is on her way to persue her dream. you go susan!!!
Bilal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 31, 2009, 12:55
There should be minimum age of 16 or 18 years in the adults' group. Younger persons should have their own competition.
M. Skogsberg
Gothenburg,Sweden
Posted: May 31, 2009, 11:22