Susan Boyle tells Oprah about the terrible bullying she went through


Susan performs at 2:20. Interview is at 6:40

Scottish singer Susan Boyle was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show yesterday, where she sang a beautiful version of Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream it’s Over” accompanied by a choir. Boyle, whose last album was the best selling CD of 2009, of course shot to fame in the spring of 2009 when she gave a tear-inducing performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” on Britain’s Got Talent. She’s since moved on to fame and riches and has a new CD coming out in early November along with a memoir, The Woman I Was Born to Be. On Oprah, Boyle discussed the terrible bullying she endured as a child, and described how she had her clothing burned, was called names and was “hit around the head.” She said that the real pain was psychological and explained “It made me feel as if nobody loved me. I didn’t really matter, I was just a target. Once you give bullies that power, they’ve really got ahold of you.” She joked that she used to chase after them and fight back, but that the best way to deal with it is to ignore them.

Oprah explained that in the book, Boyle wrote that her “talent for singing was able to silence the bullies and silence the demons inside you.” Boyle said “I had a lot of anxiety inside me. I had a lot of doubt, which I still have at times… what you do is, you do well at something, and you try and gain the respect of somebody, and that’s what I was trying to do as a singer.”

A lot has changed for Susan since she went though that taunting as a kid. She told Oprah “I feel like a princess and I feel loved, and that’s something I didn’t feel when I was younger.”

I’m so happy for Susan’s success and her performance of “Don’t Dream it’s Over” was beautiful. She is one talented lady who achieved astronomical success later in life. It’s heartbreaking to hear how she suffered as a child. Oprah told her to send autographed CDs to her former bullies and to write “how you like me now?” on the notes. All Susan has to do is show up and sing and she puts everyone that made fun of her for being different to shame.

Here’s Susan signing copies of her book in London on 10/16/10. Credit: WENN.com

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12 Responses to “Susan Boyle tells Oprah about the terrible bullying she went through”

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  1. SolitaryAngel says:

    Good for SuBo!

  2. LolaBella says:

    She seems like a really nice lady who is perhaps overwhelmed by her sudden success (reports of emotional breakdowns, diva behavior etc.)I like her and I’m rooting for her. She really is very talented.

    I hope that she has an honest finance person who is looking after her earnings and that she is not being taken advantage of.

  3. SallyJay says:

    This lady’s story is wonderful – and thanks for your sensitive take on it CB. I am in the UK and saw her first audition air – she was so modest, so umassuming, eating her home-made foil-wrapped sandwiches in the waiting area. I’ll never forget the feeling I had when she opened her mouth to sing and that spine tingling voice filled the room – the looks on the judges faces were a sight to behold! She is an inspiration to all who judge people on age, looks, etc. I’m rooting for her to have a long and glorious career.

  4. LindaR says:

    I was bullied as a kid. Lot’s of people were. Get over it. You’re a big girl now.

  5. Delta Juliet says:

    @SallyJay
    I remember the first time I heard her hit those notes, too. In fact, it still gives me goosebumps to think about it. What a talent. She melted my heart along with many others and she seems like such a sweet “real” woman. I wish her lots of success, and I hope she has the support to deal with her newfound fame.

  6. fabgrrl says:

    Had her clothing burned? That goes way beyond normal schoolyard bullying. Poor Susan. I’m glad she’s getting love and praise now.

  7. wednesday says:

    I just cant stomach her. Her voice brings me to tears, and not in a good way, more like the way pulling nose hairs brings you to tears.

  8. Fishlips says:

    Thumbs up!

  9. Ryjus says:

    You know what’s bad? When you have a PARENT or a sibling who’s a bully! What hope do you have? When you’re finally old enough to see a therapist, you hear that the person is TOXIC and to stay away from him or her. It’s totally heartbreaking when it’s someone you keep trying to make excuses for and love and connect with and you just keep getting kicked and abused in many different ways. Don’t be a bully – treat everyone with kindness and it will come back to you – for sure!!

  10. Confuzzle says:

    90% of kids get bullied at school.

  11. Amy says:

    I too was bullied by peers growing up, but I didn’t cower, I stood up to them and they backed off. I think almost everyone has experienced tauting or bullying in one form or another. Some humans can be quite cruel.

  12. jack42 says:

    Actually, Susan had a lot more than bullying to endure. You need to read the book if you want all the issues this courageous woman has faced alone. She is overcoming them with determination, faith and as she said – because of her singing, she managed to turn the tables (the negative aspects of her life) in a nice way.