Posts Tagged ‘audition’

Amanda Holden – We did not exploit Susan Boyle

from the dailymail

We didn’t exploit Susan Boyle,’ says Amanda Holden as she defends Britain’s Got Talent in US media blitz

Amanda Holden has faced the music on behalf of Britain’s Got Talent, defending it against accusations of ‘exploiting’ contestant Susan Boyle,

Last night Amanda, who is on a whistlestop tour of the US, was a guest on CNN’s Larry King Live – a prestigious US news show – to discuss Susan Boyle’s hospitalisation.

And she was forced to defend the talent show – created by her boss Simon Cowell.

Facing the music: Amanda Holden has put herself in the spotlight to defend accusations that Britain’s Got Talent exploited Susan Boyle

After coming second to dance group Diversity, Boyle’s post-final health concerns have led to questions over the standard of care provided by programme makers.

But Amanda emphatically denied that Britain’s Got Talent exploited Boyle instead she blamed the press for ‘stressing her out’.

The actress turned TV judge said the Scottish singer was upset by ‘exaggerated stories’ and ‘falsehoods’ written about her, and denied that Britain’s Got Talent was to blame in any way.She told Larry King: “We are a very loyal show, we love Susan very much. All the contestants that appear on the show are extraordinarily well looked after.

‘She is getting the best support she could possibly be getting at the moment.”

Big interview: Last night she appeared on news talk show CNN’s Larry King Live

Defender: Holden told Larry King that everyone on the show ‘loved Susan very much’ and that she was ‘extraordinarily well looked after’

Holden told the late night US talk show host that the British media were to blame. She also guest hosted CBS’s The Early Show where she spoke about Boyle.

She said: ‘It was just in the last week that the downturn in press in our country I think maybe stressed her out a little bit and I think she was just quite upset by all the exaggerated stories and falsehoods that were written about her.’

According to Holden, the 48-year-old from West Lothian – who checked into the Priory clinic after what her brother described as an anxiety attack – expects to return home ‘within a matter of days’.

Police were called to Boyle’s hotel over the weekend after she began acting strangely. She was taken to the Priory in north London on Sunday.

Ambassador: Amanda showed off her figure in a tight-fitting Herve Leger purple dress and Jimmy Choo’s as she arrived in New York to defend Britain’s Got Talent

The judge said that Boyle’s brother had indicated that she wanted to leave the clinic shortly and get on with her singing career.

‘He believes that she wants to come home within a matter of days rather than weeks. And she is excited about the prospect of seeing what is out there,’ Holden said.

Holden added that her one concern is the affection she holds for Mr Morgan: ‘She seems to have a crush on Piers Morgan – that is the only thing I’m worried about.’

In the space of eight weeks, Boyle has gone from the quiet life of a church volunteer in a small town in Scotland to global fame.

American audiences were captivated by this year’s Britain’s Got Talent after over 100million people watched Susan’s performance of I Dreamed A Dream at her Glasgow audition.

And Boyle has received unprecedented media attention from all over the world, and television titans such as Oprah Winfrey and CNN’s Larry King lined up to interview her after her stunning performance during the audition stage of Britain’s Got Talent.

Guest host: Yesterday Amanda discussed Susan Boyle and more lightweight matters such as shoes with her co-hosts on The Early Show

Domestic goddess: She also showed off her culinary skills and made fish ‘n’ chips on live television

The Boyle phenomenon has also earned coverage in heavyweight US newspapers The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Retail therapy: Amanda went shopping with husband Chris Hughes yesterday

As well as receiving airtime on all the main TV channels, ABC, CBS, and NBC.

On the Early Show yesterday, Amanda said: ‘It’s taken its toll on her, she’s gone from a woman that nobody knew to worldwide fame.

‘For anybody in the business to handle that kind of stress is an enormous amount of pressure and I think she probably has just crumbled under it.

She will just need some time to recuperate, to rest. Actually it’s probably a blessing that she didn’t win because the spotlight’s not so heavily on her.’

Clearly, Cowell will not be unhappy that Amanda is facing the music on his behalf, namely because she is keen to raise her profile in the US.

Holden was previously unrecognisable in the United States but thanks to a certain Scottish spinster, the 38-year-old judge is quickly carving a name for herself across the pond.

With only a few days in the US, the blonde actress is clearly determined to make an impact in a series of tight-fitting dresses.

Spotted doing a spot of shopping in New York’s trendy Meatpacking District, Amanda looked like an extra from Sex And The City as she tottered along the street in her killer gold heels.

Accompanied by her husband Chris Hughes and a female friend, Amanda looked like Kim Cattrall’s SATC character Samantha Jones as she sashayed down the street in a figure-hugging purple Herve Leger bandage dress and obligatory sunglasses.

The former Wild At Heart actress has previously spoken of her wish to work Stateside, so it’s no surprise she’s taken the opportunity to go there.

Taxi! The actress hails a cab back to her hotel as she darts around New York while on a media blitz on behalf of show Britain’s Got Talent

Earlier on Monday, she was up bright and early to co-host the Early Show live with regular presenters Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez.

Despite the early start, Amanda made sure she gave viewers a lasting impression as she squeezed her curves into another tight-fitting, low-cut white dress and black platform heels.

While the actress was primarily on the show to discuss Britain’s Got Talent – and the show’s biggest star Susan Boyle – she also gave Americans an insight into her own personality.

As well as showing off her yodelling skills, Amanda also cooked fish ‘n’ chips and showed off some of her shoe collection.

Comparing herself to fellow BGT judges Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan, Amanda insisted she was the only nice judge ‘with a beating heart’ and the only performer.

She said: ‘They are also enormous egos so as a mummy, as a housewife, I try to bring things down a bit.

‘I’m also the only one that’s actually done any performing so I’m the only one qualified to judge.’

Earlier this year, she admitted she was jealous of fellow judge Piers’s success in the US after he landed a role on America’s Got Talent.

She told the Mail: ‘He’s got money, fantastic cars, a beautiful girlfriend – and I can’t believe he’s made it in the US.

‘I want that for myself. I do hate his jamminess – and yes, I bloody well would like to go over there!

‘I’ve dropped loads of hints to Simon. Piers has the best of both worlds: going off for a few weeks to the US, then flying back to London. I could do that.’

Publicity ‘stopped people voting Boyle’

Piers Morgan on Susan Boyle

Piers Morgan has claimed that people were dissuaded from voting for Susan Boyle in Saturday’s Britain’s Got Talent final because of the publicity surrounding her.

Writing on his blog, the judge described the singer as “the greatest discovery the show’s ever found”.

Morgan said: “I’m only sorry that the extraordinary tidal wave of publicity she attracted meant so many people got either bored or irritated by Boyle mania and decided not to vote for her as a result.

“I genuinely believe that if she had been on one of the later audition shows, rather than the first one, she would have won easily.”

He added: “The British, and I’m as guilty as everyone else, like nothing better than building people up, and knocking ‘em down again.

“But the good news for Susan is that we also have a tendency to feel sorry (and slightly guilty) for people after the ‘backlash’, and they usually end up even more popular than they were before.”

Susan Boyle ‘will be a global superstar’

Simon Cowell has decided to offer a record contract to Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle, according to a report.

The Scottish singer became an overnight sensation after her original audition aired last month, but she eventually lost out to dance troupe Diversity in last night’s final.

Despite the shock result, Boyle is still expected to be snapped up by Cowell’s SyCo record label and work closely with the music mogul over the coming months.

A source told The People: “[Simon] still sees massive potential in Susan and will make her a global superstar. It wouldn’t be surprising if there was a single released before the end of the summer.”

Cowell offered words of support to Boyle after she gave a second performance of Les Miserables number ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ in last night’s episode.

He commented: “Win or lose, you had the guts to come back here tonight, face your critics – and you beat them. Whatever happens, you can walk away from this with your head held high.”

Judge Amanda Holden has previously predicted that Boyle will have “a huge, huge hit” in the future.

Diversity beat Boyle in ‘Talent’ final

Diversity have been voted as the winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2009, beating long-time bookies’ favourite Susan Boyle.

The Essex-based dance troupe, comprising of brothers and friends, triumphed in the live final following a performance which Simon Cowell described as “sheer and utter perfection”.

Speaking after the result was announced by show hosts Ant and Dec, group member and choreographer Ashley Banjo commented: “When you guys said our name, I thought: ‘I’m going to wake up in a minute’.”

The 20-year-old added: “Can I just thank everyone that’s voted – you’ve changed our lives and I can’t actually believe it.”

Scottish singer Boyle, 48, was the competition’s runner-up – despite being favourite to win since the first episode aired. She had earlier performed a rendition of Les Miserables number ‘I Dreamed A Dream’, the song which made her a YouTube sensation following her original audition.

Paying tribute to the winners, she insisted: “The best people won. They’re very entertaining. Lads, I wish you all the best.”

Meanwhile, saxophonist Julian Smith finished in third place after impressing the public with a performance of ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story.

He revealed: “I’m just happy that I’ve been taking part in tonight and been part of the whole thing. It’s an honour.”

Diversity will now perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Show later this year. They will also receive a cash prize of £100,000.

Amanda Holden says ‘Boyle will have a huge hit’

amanda holden 'Boyle will have a huge hit'

Amanda Holden has predicted a bright future for Susan Boyle ahead of tonight’s Britain’s Got Talent final.

The show’s judge confirmed that she expects Boyle to have a hit record even if she does not win the ITV1 competition.

Boyle’s performance of Les Miserables number ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ at her original audition became a YouTube sensation after it aired in April. She remains the bookies’ favourite to triumph on the programme tonight.

Discussing the star’s chances, Holden told the Daily Record: “We’ve just got to keep being on her side and not assume she’s going to win.”

She added: “I would imagine that whether she wins or loses, she will definitely record ‘I Dreamed A Dream’. I think that that would be a huge, huge hit. It would go platinum.”

Boyle has become a subject of controversy in recent days following reports that she launched into a ‘foul-mouthed outburst’ at the Wembley Plaza Hotel.

Additionally, Lily Allen has described the Scottish singer as “so overrated”, while Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood claimed that she “sucks”.

Boyle’s family hope for Scottish support

susan boyle singing

Susan Boyle’s brother has encouraged Scots to support the star once the Britain’s Got Talent live shows begin.

The 48-year-old singer, from Blackburn, West Lothian, has made it through to the semi-final stages and is currently preparing to fight for a place in this year’s final.

“She has to get the public behind her and people need to keep voting,” Boyle’s brother Gerard told the Daily Record. “We are having a party to get behind her and it would be wonderful if the rest of Scotland did too.”

The businessman also insisted that his sister has not become complacent about her chances following the hype which surrounded her original audition.

“Susan now realises that she is a contestant in a competition and she has to really earn her right to go forward,” he explained. “She has never been full of herself but she is quietly confident and doesn’t think anyone is any better or worse than her.”

Britain’s Got Talent continues at 8.20pm tonight on ITV1.

Susan Boyle The Simpsons

Susan Boyle Biggest star on planet

Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle has inspired cartoon slacker Homer Simpson to audition for a talent show in The Simpsons.

Ms Boyle, 48, from West Lothian, became a worldwide sensation after appearing on Britain’s Got Talent last month.

In the online clip, Homer appears before judge Simon Cowell, saying “My name is Homer Simpson, I’m 39 years old and, well, I’ve never been kissed.”

He adds: “My dream is to be a great singer like Susan Boyle.”

Ms Boyle’s rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables on the ITV1 show turned her into a global phenomenon after being posted on YouTube.

She was previously mentioned in cult US cartoon show South Park.

Last week, she appeared on a special episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Her appearance in The Simpsons video extra, Springfield’s Got Talent, is part of the show’s 20th-anniversary season.

Mulhern ‘concerned about Boyle vote’

Stephen Mulhern has admitted that he is concerned the public may not vote for Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent.

The presenter said that viewers may think her worldwide fame has guaranteed her a win and could choose to support another finalist.

“What I hope is that people aren’t going to go, ‘You know what, she’s so well known now that I don’t need to back her, I’m going to back someone else’,” he told ITV’s This Morning.

“I just hope people haven’t seen too much of her. I think the weird thing is, you’ve only heard her sing one song so the pressure for her is going to be intense I think.”

Mulhern, who presents Britain’s Got More Talent on ITV2, later claimed that he was sceptical about Boyle when she first turned up to audition for the show.

“I remember when she arrived. She was about two hours early before her audition with her plastic bag containing her sandwiches and it’s an awful thing to say but you do judge people straight away,” he said.

“I just wondered what she was going to do and because she arrived so early, she would’ve waited about four hours before she was even seen and it was just the biggest shock. For everyone.”