The world was introduced to Susan Boyle in 2009 on Britain's Got Talent.
Her voice caught the attention of the world, and she has been in the spotlight ever since.
She's been open in the past about her health struggles and her family drama, but what is
there that fans don't know about the famous singer?
Let's take a look at some untold truths about the one-of-a-kind Susan Boyle.
Forgive and forget
It would be easy for this famous singer to see her success as payback to all of those
kids who used to bully her in school.
But interestingly enough, Boyle is not holding on to those bad feelings.
In fact, she has been in contact with some of those past school bullies.
She spoke to this point during an interview on Piers Morgan Tonight.
Sounds like a happy ending to us, but that's only the beginning.
Madonna is the best medicine
Boyle is a major Madonna fan.
Sure, she loves the music, but her reason for being such a big fan goes deeper.
Boyle reflected on this fact with The Huffington Post UK, saying:
"When I was ill, at the very beginning, they gave me some albums to listen to.
They were all Madonna, and she actually helped me.
She helped me get through that."
Now, Boyle has reached a level of fame that even a superstar like Madonna could appreciate,
with a bunch of songs that no doubt help others the same way Madonna once helped her.
No negative Nancy
Boyle has been through a lot of bad times in her life, but she doesn't let negativity
get the best of her.
In fact, she doesn't like the word "negative."
She told The Huffington Post UK:
"Negativity, that's a bit of a swear word...
Negativity can always be turned on its head, and made into a positive.
There is always a silver lining, and there's a lot of good that counteracts the bad."
To avoid focusing on the dreaded negative, Boyle works hard to be good at what she does,
saying: "People write things about you, people may say things about you but they can't hurt
you.
Because if you do your job well, and people like what you do, that counteracts the bad.
And turns it around, into a good thing.
Into a positive thing."
Musical love
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Susan Boyle is a big fan of musicals.
She discussed this love during an interview with Female First, describing what this form
of art brings to her life.
She said, "The theatre is a sanctuary for me and I especially love the way stories are
communicated through the lyrics and the music, it taps all emotions and senses."
So the ultimate moment for Boyle came when I Dreamed a Dream, a musical that tells the
story of Boyle's life, began previews in 2012.
The singer spoke with Female First about her first thoughts on the musical, saying, "It
really blew me away.
I never thought for a second people would want to come and watch that.
It was a great honour."
Diagnosis relief
One fact that has been featured in the news about Boyle is her health and her diagnosis
of Asperger's, yet fans may not know or have expected her reaction to this diagnosis.
Boyle spoke with the Observer about her sense of relief when she received the news.
"I have always known that I have had an unfair label put upon me.
Now I have a clearer understanding of what's wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed
about myself."
And with that sense of peace, Boyle has been able to move forward and better understand
who she is:
"Asperger's doesn't define me.
It's a condition that I have to live with and work through, but I feel more relaxed
about myself.
People will have a much greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do."
Fashion regrets
When Boyle looks back on her first audition for Britain's Got Talent, she doesn't always
think about the success that was about to begin.
As she shared on Today, her first thoughts were actually about what she was wearing.
She could also see that she lacked confidence, which makes her even happier with the ways
she's changed in the years since.
Family values
Even as fame has continued to grow for Boyle, she has stayed consistent.
As Boyle shared on Piers Morgan Tonight, her mother taught her "Christian values" that
help keep her humble.
Though her mother passed away before seeing Boyle achieve worldwide fame, her values live
on.
"What were the values she taught you?"
"Christian values.
How to put yourself in other people's shoes."
Boyle credits that faith for the success she has reached in her career, sharing with with
The Christian Post, "My faith is incredibly important to me on every level.
It gets me through those moments of self-doubt and also allows me to understand that this
gift of my career, later in life, is from a higher power."
Sounds like Susan Boyle couldn't be happier with all her newfound fame.
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