Susan Boyle Pulls Out of Tonight’s Manchester Concert

Oh boy — she’s either got real emotional issues or she’s already turned into a bigtime diva. Either way, not good.

That’s too bad.

Wow! Kind of makes one understand why it took her so many years to be discovered. I’m thinking the mental instability is not a new thing.

Its really sad she has come so far but can’t handle the pressure, maybe she left the hospital too soon. A lot of people who bought tickets for the tour will be disappointed, but perhaps she should just record some tracks in private sessions and if her music makes any money a trustee can handle it for her. I think she is very fragile.

I’m truly sorry to read that. It’s unfortunate. I hope she comes to terms with whatever is holding her back soon. I wish her all the best.

That’s very sad. As long as she can record some tracks, make some money it will be all good. Sounds like she needs to go back home and do some low key stuff. Just some recordings should be enough to make her life financially secure. But, she must really be having a hard time emotionally. This is very sad.

She’s clearly not ready for any of this. I feel sorry for her, but at the same time I dont really care. Obviously everyone involved in that show knows there’s a problem,a major problem…and they still are valiantly trying to force the issue….pull her out, get her some help and…..next

What price, fame? This is simply ludicrous and everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves. You don’t take a 40 something woman with absolutely no social skills or practical common sense and throw her out to the wolves to be devoured. Everyone, including Susan, should be re-evaluating this issue. She apparently can’t deal, and I don’t see anyway she even has the strength or fortitude to go through a recording process. Britains got Talent needs to compensate her for pain and suffering, give her a nice annuity, (fuck she probably earned them tons in advertising revenue) and send her home to the care of a good psychologist. This whole thing just SUCKS.

If she has mentally and emotional problems what she probably needs is to be seen by specialists. Touring, which is stressful and emotional heavy, seems like the last thing she should be doing right now.

The flip side of fame, and it’s tragic.

Mentally fragile is a good way to put it, MJ. You see what happened to poor Britney and Lindsay after years of being pimped as child, teen and adult stars? They start self-medicating like crazy and are in and out of rehab joints and psychiatrist offices.

A lot of people can’t handle this pitiless attention and stress, and especially someone who spent her life taking care of her Mum in a small village and singing karaoke in a neighborhood pub.

I remember when the Boyle phenom first started, and her fellow villagers were protective of her and expressed some worry about her. They were right….

It’s too bad for the people who paid to see her specifically. She must really have problems if she can’t handle a two-song set. The thing is, she probably has a contract for these shows and if she isn’t sick or physically unable to perform, she’s risking a breech of contract suit.

Just like Kathrine McPhee.

OMG, you’re right…it’s Katharine all over again.

I don’t see it as like Kat at all and I’m not even a Kat fan.
Susan seems very frgaile, mentally. I’ve never felt that about Kat.

Gosh, maybe stardom isn’t what she needs. I hop9e that she gets the care that she needs.

if she isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sick or physically unable to perform, sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s risking a breech of contract suit

I’m sorry, I’m giggling a bit over this because yup it could be true and it could very well happen but the sad thing is that the people that would be suing her are the very people that caused the problem in the first place. Ironic!

Katharine McPhee? Don’t think so. Kat is a lot younger, conventionally gorgeous, married…..And her problem, if I recollect rightly, was that her voice came and went due to throat problems.

Personally, if I bought a ticket and an artist I paid to see is no longer on the bill, I’m a little miffed. But it’s no tragedy. Cracking up under stress is indeed tragic….

It must be hard for a 40-something year old women who has led an incredibly sheltered life to be thrust into the international limelight. The positive media attention was likely okay until the nasty tabloids starting to emerge in England. I know that a lot of celebrities have to deal with this kind of fame but they are usually much younger,and can therefore adapt more easily to change. Alternatively, increased media attention usually occurs gradually, rather than abruptly, which also makes the transition much easier.

I don’t think she is going to be able to handle media attention at all. And the music, entertainment industry is not known as a polite society. so she may not be suitable as a recording artist.
I don’t think she is going to be able to adjust to fame and notoriety.

Has Susan ever worked outside of being a caregiver for her parents? I wonder if she’s ever had to maintain a weekly schedule or develop a work ethic. All I’ve read is that she lived at home, took care of her parents, visits the elderly through her church, loves her cat, and has sung here at there over the years sporatically, evidentally did a recording here and there. Being a caregiver is sometimes difficult work in itself I know, and that also can lead to a person being homebound and socially awkward if they don’t get to get out much. It’s all very sad. She has such a unique voice. Personally, I love her vocals. I sometimes get the feeling that she’d rather just be home with her friends, cat, and plants and do this singing thing in a slowwww, unstressful manner (if possible).

It’s a good thing she didn’t win, she probably would have stood up the Queen.

A sheltered woman living a simple life in a small village with a beautiful voice had a lifelong dream. Dreams are rarely filled with reality. How could she be prepared for huge crowds and public exposure? It’s just too much. It would be nice if she could just record in a quiet studio without touring, but that’s not usually how it works.

Y’know, I’m sure I read in People magazine’s feature on Susan that she has learning disabilities caused by oxygen deprivation at birth. She had apparently always been taken care of by her family, and had never lived on her own until her mother died not long ago.

It would be tough for anyone to grasp such sudden fame. If she does in fact have cognitive issues, this may all just be too much for her.

The tour has started so soon after the finale – different from AI here in the US when there’s a bigger gap. I suppose they rushed her treatment at the clinic through to accommodate the schedule, and this is the result. Sad, but if she manages to do the rest of the tour, after this, all might still be okay for her future.

Unfortunately not everyone, no matter how talented they may be, is cut out to deal with fame. Especially overnight fame like Susan Boyle and the AI kids face. Susan is in direct contrast to Adam and Kris is how well they have coped to all the media, loss of privacy, etc. But Susan also is probably an even bigger phenom than anyone to win AI has been, given her age and background, and the fact that her fame seems be more worldwide.

Hopefully she will be able to get whatever help she needs.

Maybe she’s just holding out for more money.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/showbiz/359312/Susan-Boyle-set-to-earn-pound8k-a-minute-at-private-gigs-Britains-Got-Talent-2009.html

I truly don’t know whether to be concerned or bored.

Can’t see how this is much like Katharine.

Will, real interesting article. She won’t be able to get these high-paid private gigs if she doesn’t show up for booked events.

I hope that someone helps her thru all this. And I feel bad for the people with tickets to the concert that she skipped.

I think you are right Patty H – the reason she never succeeded beyond a certain point are due to deeper issues. To be exhausted after singing 2 songs one night is bizarre to say the least and if she has already become a diva, say goodbye to what could have been a good living.

From that article..

BRITAIN’S Got Talent tour host Stephen Mulhern is terrified Susan Boyle will crack before the end of the 26-show run.

Despite her triumphant comeback at the opening performance on Friday he fears the pressure and stress will overwhelm her.

He said: “I’m worried she won’t make it to the end.”

An insider says the other stars were warned Susan will not be allowed to perform every time.

He said: “There are at least three shows she won’t perform in. It’s to do with the level of stress she can handle.”

Give me a break! They already know she’s going to miss at least three shows because of her stress? Could you imagine if this woman had to endure being an Idol contestant and the insanity they’re put through? Someone like this will never, ever handle a full fledged singing career and everything that comes along with it. If she can’t handle a 26 date tour where she sings TWO songs how will she handle a solo tour? And for her to be paid this kind of money her people better make damn sure she’s not going to be pulling last minute cancellations due to stress.

It’s a shame, but she is so far out of her element that they should just call the whole thing off and save everyone a lot of trouble.

I know it will never happen, but it would be nice if TPTB could learn something from this- like the need for more psychological testing for their hamsters.

It’s sad, I feel bad for her. I’m sure she’s doing the best she can to cope with the sudden fame and huge changes in her life. I hope she takes some time to recover and that tptb back off and let her do that.

This would not be breaking a contract.
When she ended up in the hospital, Simon said he destroyed any contracts and that Susan wouldn’t be doing the tour.
Susan wanted to try, she didn’t want to disappoint her fans.
So, it was set that she’d do SOME of the shows.
I think that was a mistake, she’s not ready. But I do think she’s trying her best.
BGT really did a number on her. It was too much for anyone.

It’s exactly like McPhee, who was too fragile to even show up until the tour was well underway. if you recall, McPhee was sent for in-patient treatment at a psychiatratric/rehab facility between the auditions and the start of Idol that year. She was a mess.

Wow, I’m honestly surprised by all the sympathy for her. You guys are a lot more forgiving than I am.

Oh the horrible stress of having to perform a 2 song set! Give me a break. She seems like a total bitch to me who isn’t willing to do even the bare minimum that she signed on for.

I’m more sympathetic to ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ than I am to her.

Back to obscurity, then, and deservedly so. Hard work is a huge part of success and at this stage of the game she should be willing to work overtime if she wants to me more than just a flash in the pan (Daughtry worked hard when Kat Mcphee didn’t, as a perfect example, and look where they both are now)

Wow, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m honestly surprised by all the sympathy for her. You guys are a lot more forgiving than I am.

Oh the horrible stress of having to perform a 2 song set! Give me a break. She seems like a total bitch to me who isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t willing to do even the bare minimum that she signed on for.

The woman suffered oxygen deprivation at birth and has been diagnosed with learning disabilities. Perhaps we should egg Special Olympic contestants who drop out next? If anyone deserves scorn it the the producers.

It amazes me how fast people are to pile on the insults and “diva” status on these people without bothering to find out anything about them.

Daniel, you are a tough egg. Really.
She went through an awful lot, and for some reason, stuck it out to the end with that ridiculous show.
They gave her NO HELP for 2 months.
Then when she finally packed to leave, they gave her a pep talk to stay.
She was like a zombie by the finals, obviously very sick.
They used her just like they use all the contestants that we’re supposed to laugh at.
This time they went too far. I doubt the poor woman will ever be even able to get her life back, as miserable as it was.

Someone like this will never, ever handle a full fledged singing career and everything that comes along with it. If she canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t handle a 26 date tour where she sings TWO songs how will she handle a solo tour? And for her to be paid this kind of money her people better make damn sure sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not going to be pulling last minute cancellations due to stress.

She’s obviously not cut out for this kind of work. So, whatever appearances on this tour she can actually complete, will probably be the last we hear of her.

If it’s true the Simon released her from her contractual tour obligation, then the dates she is showing up for are probably being paid on a per appearance basis.

It’s unfortunate for the ticket buyers who expected to see her. But, this is kind of an unforseen circumstance. Hopefully, the tour promoters will be as up front with people as possible.

The woman suffered oxygen deprivation at birth and has been diagnosed with learning disabilities.

I just want to point out that people with learning disabilities are not necessarily unable to handle job related stress. The anxiety and emotional breakdowns she’s experiencing right now could be related to her previous difficulties, or they could be another issue entirely.

BGT really did a number on her. It was too much for anyone.

There’s probably plenty of blame to go around. Obviously, BGT didn’t pick up her mental health issues in their screening process. And of course, they milked her “shocking” audition for all that it was worth. But – that show is shown in one country. It was a whole host of other people who created the huge media blitz, watched that video 80 bazillion times and made her a household name across the world.

This kind of thing can happen when you put yourself on these reality shows. People have to know by now that the crazy they’re going to experience is going to radically change their lives. She went on the show and she did all of the interviews. She’s complicit in this situation too. Sure, she’s been exploited, but she sure helped that expoitation along.

I just think there’s a lot of gray here. I’m not sure either side is all right or all wrong.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exactly like McPhee, who was too fragile to even show up until the tour was well underway. if you recall, McPhee was sent for in-patient treatment at a psychiatratric/rehab facility between the auditions and the start of Idol that year. She was a mess.

This is nothing like what happened to Kat. Kat missed part of the tour on Doctor’s orders because of strained vocal chords after the strain of 4 months of the competition and her commitments as the runner-up. She never missed a performance after the doctors cleared her. Plus she finished half the tour with a broken foot shoe got back stage at one show.

Secondly, Kat was never “sent” to a psychiatric/rehab facility. That is completely false. She voluntarily went to a facility to finally deal with her eating disorder prior to the semi-finals. And she was very successful there. She has never looked better or healthier.

I hope Susan gets the help she needs. It was a very difficult life changing experience for her.

This is nothing like what happened to Kat. Kat missed part of the tour on Doctorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s orders because of strained vocal chords after the strain of 4 months of the competition and her commitments as the runner-up. She never missed a performance after the doctors cleared her. Plus she finished half the tour with a broken foot shoe got back stage at one show.

Yes, she had severely damaged vocal chords. Why she felt the need to pretend to have bronchitis never ceases to make me shake my head.

Everything that has happened with Susan Boyle since right before the BGT finale is why I refused to jump on her bandwagon. As soon as the first stories came out about her life I knew she probably had emotional problems that would surface. There’s a reason some people live very solitary existences with only pets for comfort: it is all they can handle. Now she’s a trainwreck, regardless of whether or not she sings pretty versions of popular songs.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a good thing she didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t win, she probably would have stood up the Queen.

Hahahahahhaha :laugh_tb: :mrgreen_wp:

I agree Spencer. But this is not “job related stress” in the form that any of us deal with. People without underlying emotional issues crack. And someone who has her types of cerebral injuries at birth are more likely to lack the emotional maturity to deal with the situation.

If Brittney Spears and other like her can be forgiven and have careers, then Susan should be too.
She’s not an alcoholic or drug addict, her brain injury was unavoidable, and certainly something she had no control over.
If she can get over the effects of the last few months, and has a good support team, there’s no reason she should be denied the chance at a career too.

The woman suffered oxygen deprivation at birth and has been diagnosed with learning disabilities. Perhaps we should egg Special Olympic contestants who drop out next? If anyone deserves scorn it the the producers.

It amazes me how fast people are to pile on the insults and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“divaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  status on these people without bothering to find out anything about them.

Just what I was going to point out, Starrlight. According to assessments I’ve read – the poor woman suffered some cognitive impairment. It takes her longer to process information (and not everything registers). The show should have assigned people to help her from the get go. She should have buffers between her and the media. You think American Paparazzi are intrusive? In Brittan they’re downright vicious. Paps have actually baited her – calling her the kinds of manes she obviously heard every day in the schoolyard – just to get a rise. She’s been trotted out like a show pony – and when she needed help – she was told to STFU and cope. All that bull about money? Those decisions are made by management. God but I feel sorry for her. She has a marvelous talent à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ a beautiful voice that could entertain millions of people à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ making her happy in the process (for once). She just needs special handling (and a little compassion). Consider it like handicapped parking, or a wheelchair ramp. Whatever happened to simple human decency?

What’s most annoying to me about Britain’s Got Talent is how they’re always shamelessly promoting themselves as this feel-good venue, where people get a shot who never got a shot, where they have these heart-wrenching backstories, and, oh, shouldn’t we all feel good about ourselves for fighting off our prejudices to admire and vote for these people!

By promoting themselves like that it seems to me they then have a duty to offer support to the people they wind up with. But what they do instead is encourage everybody — and themselves, especially — to engage in an orgy of self-congratulation over our/their compassion and open-mindedness. And then leave the people to be chewed up and spat out by the fame machine.

It’s really sickening. I don’t like their wet-eyed phony-compassion-laced shows anyway — ditto for the American version — but when you see an outcome like this it becomes even more disgusting. I hope to heck someone steps up and gives this poor woman the support she needs. It probably wouldn’t be that difficult, if they’d just do it.

Honestly, I don’t think she had anything like the experience and savvy, and maybe the brain power, to know what she was getting into. All she knew was that this show might finally give her a bit of her dream — after she’d been essentially confined to her home with her mom all her life as her siblings went off to their own lives, because her mental and emotional vulnerabilities made her the most suitable for staying around the house.

Talk about “the tigers come at night with their voices soft as thunder, and they tear your hope apart and turn your dream to shame.” … How prescient that song is now.

She was too much of an innocent to understand what she was getting into, and the producers were definitely soft-voiced tigers. Too bad family and friends didn’t warn her off this, but I guess it’s very hard to say to somebody with a talent that they can’t try for their dreams. And they woudln’t have to say it if the show actually practiced some of the humanity that they want us to believe they represent.

Well, my apologies if I’m misunderstanding. I see nothing that indicates she is mentally handicapped. Lots of people have problem births. Lots of people have learning disorders. Lots of people work hard and can keep their word regardless of this. It is not an excuse for ‘pulling a diva’. The woman knowingly signed on for the show, knowing what she was getting into (unless she really is mentally handicapped, in which case BGT should be held liable, but again there is no evidence I’ve ever seen to suggest she’s mentally unfit).

If she plain old decided this isn’t the career for her and doesn’t want anything to do with it, that’s fine, that’s her choice. But the natural consequence will be that she will fade back to ignominy and not have much of a career, which is also fine. It’s her life, I support her right to choose to do, or not do, whatever she wants. But again I have no sympathy for her. As far as I can tell she knew what she was signing up for.

Also just want to point out that I used to work with the mentally handicapped, the ones I worked with are some of the most innocent, gentle, and generous-hearted people alive. I have never met one that was lazy though, or ego-driven. Seems like Susan could learn a thing or two. Just saying.