When Susan Boyle was discovered singing on Britain's Got Talent, she was an overnight sensation. Frumpy, with tangled hair and a unibrow, her middle aged figure was incongruous to her angelic voice. She can really sing. The Woman I Was Born To Be is her memoir of her life up to that incredible year.
Born the youngest of nine older siblings, she admits she was coddled. Her difficulties at school went beyond kid's bullying to a slight learning disability. Shy and quiet as a result, she preferred to stay close to home rather than push out into the world. Her pleasure was music, singing in local pubs since she was 23, leading to vocal and acting coaches and larger venues like soccer stadiums. She cut a CD and was part of a Millennium compilation album and concert. The first part of the memoir covers her small town life of church and family before the day she travelled by bus to the Britain's Got Talent auditions. From the moment the show aired, her life became a frenzy with crowds of international media camped out at her door, following her every move. Every area of her life was scrutinized, unable to leave the house without a driver, bodyguard, and record label staff by her side.
YouTube was a major factor in her success with the clip of her singing setting a record at 66 million hits. Travelling now meant the blinds must always be drawn to the paparazzi and she's unable to wander out in public without causing a scene. It must have been a shocking change to go from a local pub to, one year later, singing from your triple platinum album at the Tokyo Budokan for thousands of people. That CD went number one around the world and is the UK's biggest selling debut album of all time. She has since made seven albums, toured the world, and a hit stage musical was made of her life, which toured the UK.
It was an interesting read for me, being a fan of her voice and music, nice to spend some time with her. It's a polished memoir that I'm sure she had some help writing, as they all do, while retaining her humour and wit ~ not mention her sanity while people praise your voice as they disparage your appearance. A quick read of a remarkable story, recommended for fans.
2010 / Hardcover / 317 pages
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