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Shock and awe: This church lady can sing
Frumpy 47-year-old stuns 'Idol' judge, catapults to sudden global celebrity

Simon Cowell, the British-accented and sometimes condescending talent judge of television's mega-hit program "American Idol," was stunned by the singing of a 47-year-old church volunteer who claims she's never been kissed but whose amazing performance has catapulted her to sudden celebrity.

Cowell also serves as a talent judge across the Atlantic on "Britain's Got Talent," a singing competition similar to "American Idol."

When contestant Susan Boyle, who lives alone with her cat and claims she's never even been on a date, walked onto the "Britain's Got Talent" stage Saturday night, her double chin, frumpy appearance and gray hair elicited snickers and rolled eyes from the crowd, accustomed to the show's producers parading less-than-glamorous singers – like Boyle – as comic relief.

But when Boyle opened her mouth to sing, Cowell, the mocking audience and the nation's television viewers were shocked...

..."I've always wanted to perform before a large audience," said Boyle before she had her opportunity on stage. "I'm going to make that audience rock."

Boyle got her wish and delivered on her promise.

And her "large audience" is expanding. Her performance, uploaded to the video site YouTube, has logged over 3 million hits over the last three days, and the London Telegraph reports Boyle is now the favorite to win the competition.

Before Boyle sang, Cowell asked her – likely in parallel to her planned song, "I Dreamed a Dream" – what her dream was.

She answered, "I'm trying to be a professional singer."

"And why hasn't it worked out so far?" Cowell asked.

"I've never been given the chance before," she said. "But here's hoping it'll change."

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=94936