Elaine~ "It did piss me off that people seemed to be all" Oh my god,a homely person doing something extraordinary! WHA?" on that show.
But it is true, society does value the pretty people over the less pretty often times."

You know, there was a time back before the mid-80s and the advent of music videos when it didn't matter if you were ugly if you could sing (being pretty has always helped in showbiz, nonetheless). I contend that one reason pop music has gotten crapper is because now only pretty-ish people are allowed to be pop stars. Mediocre singers always hid behind technology but it's now very easy to clean up vocals so that they sound on-key even if they weren't sung on key, to stretch the length of a note and so on.

I do find it striking how many people seem to be so excited by her though, as if she's a stand-in for everyone's aspirations to be famous and discovered later in life (aka "after their prime"). Having just watched Gray Gardens (quite fantastic!), I'm perhaps a bit extra cynical about the drive for celebrity at the moment.

I, being a bit of an unrepentant music snob/lover, am appalled to think of what kind of Il Divo type levels of classical-lite fame she'll achieve with the "guidance" of Simon Powell (though I'd love to hear her sing in a choir).

www.youtube.com/watch

her voice is amazing, and her point came across well when she said
that she'd never been given the chance before - as the judges looked
at her, you could imagine exactly why.

i think it's too bad that she's become such an icon *because* she has
such a beautiful voice in contrast to what is considered a less than
beautiful appearance - it's sad that her voice alone isn't enough, it has
to be made more significant by her looks. but that's society.

<I don't like people using the word "real" to describe overweight or unattractive people. I'm sensitive to that, being fitness-focused I've been pointed out as not being a "real" when I am just as real as anybody>

That is an interesting point. Thanks for making it.

"I don't like people using the word "real" to describe overweight or unattractive people. I'm sensitive to that, being fitness-focused I've been pointed out as not being a "real" when I am just as real as anybody."

Ever, I never said anything about her being real or not real based on her weight or physical beauty. Clearly, that's a sensitivity of yours, not mine.
Anyway, I would describe several folks more physically attractive than Ms.Boyle as being just as "real". For me it's not just one select quality like say, being fit (or overweight)...it's a whole slew of qualities and characteristics that, for me, combine into something tangibly 'real'. For example, actress Drew Barrymore strikes me as being both very attractive and also very 'real', but its her overall sense of humor, talent and down-to-earthness that strikes me this way. Singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams also strikes me as being very 'real', (and talented, tortured and funny as hell) but I don't consider her to be particularly attractive.

In the end, I suppose if Susan Boyle wants to glamorize herself then she should take this opportunity to do so...my main issue was more with the heavy emphasis the media has put into her looks. It didn't seem like she was given much of a choice in the matter. In fact, I heard on NPR (this morning or yesterday, not sure) that Simon Cowell is putting her up to some sort of "Simon Says" type challenge regarding a makeover. But, whatever she does or doesn't do, she certainly doesn't strike me as the sort of person to suddenly jump on the anorexic, cosmetically enhanced, never-wear-the-same-outfit twice, revolving door rehab resident that stardom seems to breed.

-K

Well we all have different tastes regarding music and I've generally just kept my mouth shut about Susan Boyle so as not to spoil anyone's fun but since this is EH, I thought I should speak up with my dissenting opinion. I think she has a good voice, she sounds like she sings in a choir, I just didn't find it exceptional.

JSin - Does anyone really think Celine Dion is "hot"? It's not really what she's known for!

>> Remember as the Buggels said: "Video Killed the Radio star" <<

The simple yet profound truth of that song title just dawned on me once again. (I saw this video the first day or two MTV went on the air, and thought to myself: What the fuck is this?! Hmm, I kinda like it." (I was 11)

<looks matter BIGTIME>

*sigh*

Well I am fucked then....

(but we all know of research into the social advantages of 'beauty, they have been discussed there before)