Speaking about the opportunity earlier Susan said; “To sing for his Holiness is a great honour and something I’ve always dreamed of - It’s indescribable. My family and friends will be with me on the day as this is a very big event for all of us. My own faith is the backbone of my life and I hope I can do my best and make everyone proud.

I feel privileged to be a part of His Holiness’s visit to the UK. I am delighted to be singing for the Pope. As a devout Catholic, the greater honour will be to see him make his address.”

As you will have either seen on TV or read in the newspapers, I have finally found a winner for my Susan Search. It was a really difficult but thoroughly enjoyable task. There were entries from so many different countries, all very different. The level of talent was so high that it was very hard to find a final winner. In the end, one lady from America stood out: Amber Stassi. Amber has a very warm, rich, beautiful voice and her audition piece which she sung by the ambulance she drives for her job really captured my attention.

After I called her to let her know she had won, I learned that she had always sung since she was a little girl. She has been through some very hard times and music has helped her through them. She spends all her time working as a medic and bringing up her three children and really felt that the opportunity to sing professionally had passed her by. She is a very deserving winner and I ask you all to congratulate Amber with me.

I would like to thank everyone who entered the Susan Search and everyone who watched the clips. Your support for what started as a small idea has been wonderful.

Love,

Susan. X

From thousands of entries Susan chose American medic Amber Stassi to fly to London later this month and join her in the recording studio. Susan called Amber personally yesterday (Thursday) evening, from her home in Blackburn, Scotland to break the news and congratulate her. 

Amber Stassi, 33 is from Brewerton, New York. On hearing that she had won, the overwhelmed mother of 3 said; -

“I can’t believe I just spoke to Susan Boyle, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win this competition. To receive this gift from Susan is truly a blessing and if I can pass this gift on to someone else who needs it like I did, that would be perfect.
We have had some hard times, if my father was here now he would be so proud, I know he’s here in spirit, but this is a chance to give my kids a good memory and maybe a chance at a better life. I can’t believe I spoke with Susan - and that Susan and even Simon Cowell has seen my audition! This is crazy!! 

Amber Stassi will now embark on the journey of a lifetime, first stop, London to meet with Susan and her producer Steve Mac. Susan’s Search was one of YouTube’s most successful competitions ever and received one entry every 6 minutes after its launch.

Susan said; ” I never thought so many people would want to take part in this and I want to thank everyone.  It was very hard to choose a winner as there are so many talented singers around the world. Amber really stood out for me though. I enjoyed her audition clip very much, she has a lovely, very beautiful voice” 

Susan’s brand new album The Gift will be available on November 15TH Pre-order your copy from Amazon.co.uk

Thank you all for your patience. Not long now I promise.

Susan

Thank you so much for sending in all your entries to the Susan Search on YouTube. The standard has been really high. Thank you also for the lovely messages you have included. I have really enjoyed watching them.  I have continually been overwhelmed by the number of entries – I genuinely didn’t expect there to be so many.

So this week me and my team will be going through thousands of renditions of Silent Night and although it will be very difficult to choose just one person, the winner will be announced here on my website and on YouTube on August 2nd.

Love,

Susan

I am happy to say that I can now let you in on my secret: I am running an international competition to find a singer to duet with me on my next album. And I want you to enter!

A few months ago, as I was coming to the end of a very long and fantastic promotional tour, I started to think about the future: new album, new era, new songs. I also started to reflect on what a fantastic year I had had.

None of this would have happened without the right break and without the support of all the people who have listened to my music, sent me letters, travelled great distances to hear me sing.

I began to think about ways in which I could begin to return that honour. The past year has been a wonderful gift and I wanted to be able to pass that gift on. And once I get an idea in my head I am determined to make it happen - as you might already have guessed!

I decided that I wanted to give someone the opportunity that I had, a way onto the world stage, someone who has talent and just needs a break. For me it was through Britain’s Got Talent. It took me years to pluck up the courage.

Not everyone has the confidence or the means to be able to enter a big public competition and so I feel that this way it will afford people the same opportunity but in a less daunting arena. I will listen to all the entries and will choose the winner who will sing a duet with me on my next album.

If you are sitting in front of your computer now thinking, it could never be me, let me tell you it can be - I am the living proof of that! So follow the instructions and have a go! Visit my YouTube Channel to find out more.

I look forward to singing with you soon - whoever you are!

Go on! Do it! Take the plunge!

Good luck everyone.

Susan.

I do hope everyone is well. Since I last wrote to you on this page I have had a wee change of pace for a few months. After pretty much travelling everywhere I have been able to spend some time at home in Blackburn which has been great. I had some time to catch up on all the fantastic letters I have received and to answer many of them.

I am always overwhelmed at the good wishes that are sent to me and the support that I receive from people the world over and as I was reading your letters and the stories of your lives, it got me to thinking. I thought that what I would like more than anything this year is to be able to give something back - to pass on the gift that I had been given. So I have come up with an idea and I would like as many people as possible to participate!

Keep checking this website as I will be announcing details very soon…

With good wishes to you all,

Susan x

Not knowing whether she would be in the finals of the competition was just the tip of the iceberg of Susan’s uncertainty. Even if she had won the competition, Susan had no promise of a recording contract or a future beyond the show. There was a chance that she would return to Blackburn, perhaps a little changed for her experiences but to the same life nevertheless. One thing Susan was certain of, however, was her determination to change her life. “I went on the show to turn my life around,” she says now. Her determination paid off and we all know how the story unfolded!

Susan’s achievements have been the result of hard work, determination and against all the odds, a deep set belief that anyone can achieve their dreams. Susan has travelled the world as far afield as Los Angeles and Japan, she has met people she could previously only ever have dreamed of meeting such as Elaine Paige and Donny Osmond, she has been discussed on global news stations, in Parliament and in the Whitehouse, she is listed as one of 2009’s most influential people and her debut album, I Dreamed A Dream has achieved Platinum and Gold status across the world. Here is that list of achievements :

USA - 3 X Platinum
Australia - 9 X Platinum
New Zealand - 10 X Platinum
Canada - 4 X Platinum
UK - 7 X Platinum
Ireland - 7 X Platinum
Germany - 1 X Gold
France - 1 X Gold
Italy - 1 X Gold
Spain - 1 X Gold
Austria - 1 X Gold
Belgium - 3 X Platinum
Netherlands - 1 X Platinum
Czech Republic - 1 X Platinum
Denmark - 1 X Gold
Hungary - 1 X Gold
Norway - 1 X Platinum
Poland - 1 X Gold
South Africa -1 X Platinum
Sweden - 1 X Platinum
Switzerland - 1 X Platinum
Argentina - 1 X Gold
Mexico - 1 X Gold
Hong Kong -1 X Platinum
Malaysia - 1 X Platinum
Korea - 1 X Gold
Singapore -1 X Platinum
Taiwan - 2 X Platinum
Thailand - 1 X Gold
Japan - 1 X Platinum

All in all, not a bad year! Congratulations Susan.

If you’ve attended or hosted a ‘Susan Party’ we would love you to share your story, pictures and video clips of your party. Here is a great clip of Susan doing the “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” from a recent ‘Susa-Celebration’ held in Kemah.Texas.

Please send your pictures, videos and stories to

Are you looking forward to returning to the recording studio?
Very much so, I love recording. The recording studio is your own space, its your bubble, it’s you and the music and the producer and engineer. That’s when the real craft comes in and that’s how people get to hear what you are really like. It is like my sanctuary.

Now that you are a serious record breaking artist does that add a certain amount of pressure on you and the second album?
Well everybody strives to do better at what they do. There is some pressure, and it’s a good pressure because it’s the pressure to keep going, the pressure to strive and do better for your fans because they are the ones you are trying to please and you really count on for their support so if you can do even better and perfect your art even more it gives them more value of their money and hopefully come and see you.

Musically your album represented where you were a year ago. What sort of music would represent you now?
Probably 60’s music because that was my era. Bit of a mixture of songs, I think now. I’m a bit more content within myself. Everything sits very comfortably on my shoulders now and I’m more relaxed now. A year ago it was all new to me, I wasn’t relaxed but who would be and I think Im growing as the years gone on I’ve been growing into it.

How are you feeling at this point in your career and what are your ambitions now?
I hope to make a positive step and I hope to go on and keep getting better and better and I hope I can continue to please the fans.

You fulfilled a long-held ambition and duetted with Elaine Paige. Do you have any other dream duets that you’d like to perform and if so, with whom and what songs?
It would have to be Donny Osmond and it would have to be a special song for the two of us. I’d like it to be an original song.

Is the music industry what you expected it to be?
It’s been very kind to me over the last few months. I’ve enjoyed it immensely and i want to continue in it.

Susan put an end to such speculation today by issuing a simple statement saying : -

I’m perfectly fine, very happy with my management structure and no one is going anywhere. Neither, as far as I am aware, are there any family relationship problems nor issues with my PA, Joanne Crawford. Having had a fantastic, but full and exhausting year,I’m taking a short break before starting work on my new album next month.

How has the press scrutiny affected you?

Well the majority of the press are very kind. They are all right. If you are all right with them, they are ok with you.I’m learning that. They are a good bunch really.

There were things written about you singing into a mop at Heathrow, what was going on?

Heathrow airport? That was just a bit of a carry on, I meant no harm it was just a joke. My wacky sense of humour. Well I didn’t mean any harm and if I offended anyone it was just a piece of fun. I was messing about dancing and singing!

There were reports you also fainted at the airport- are you ok?

I’m fine, absolutely fine- it was just a wee bit warm which is why I fainted. These things get blown out of proportion (in the papers) sometimes don’t they?

What about the latest story that you were shouting at your PA in Heathrow?

I am absolutley fine. This has been blown out of all proportion. I was a wee bit tired at the end of the trip but that is it, nothing more.

There were rumours you have had extensive plastic surgery. Is this true?

Of course not! Plastic surgery (laughing) where did they get that from? With a smile that’s gone past my hairline. Completely untrue. What you see is what you get. If I had the chance I would like to have my teeth done but that would be it. I don’t want to change too much of myself. Come on what do you think I’d become a Barbie doll?

Obviously the intruder breaking into your house was frightening, Can you explain what happened?

When I was coming home from my friends I opened the front door and the guy just came down the stairs and brushed past me. That scared the living daylights out of me and I don’t know how the hell he got in yet but there was no question about it my security was ok, it was just that particular night, it was a bad night. Things have been put in place by my management team and they have been really good, I’ve got no complaints about them whatsoever and the boy that broke into my house has since been caught by the police.

There are reports you are releasing an autobiography, is this true?

It is very true, my autobiography is called “Who I was born to be” and is being written by Imogen Parker. I’m getting on well with it and she has accompanied me on a couple of the trips as well.

Do you keep a diary?

I used to, but I think I’ve lost count of things now. I think my PA has been keeping a diary, Joanne, so she’s quite good there.

Is it true you’ll be moving to London?

I’m going to be working in London when I’m required to be there, I’ll be commuting to and from London but I’ll be living in Blackburn.

How are your neighbours coping with your house being a tourist attraction?

Laughs. I think all my neighbours have been really great. They have all been really supportive.

Do you speak to Simon Cowell?

I still speak to Simon Cowell every few weeks he calls me, but he’s such a busy man. He got me a very beautiful bracelet for my birthday. It’s white gold and it’s got a ring in the middle surrounded by tiny diamonds. It is lovely!

Lady Gaga has expressed an interest in duetting with you. Would you like to sing with her?

Complete with telephone? I think Lady Gaga is a wonderful artist and completely original and I like her costumes. Love it.Yes, I’d love to do a duet with her, complete with telephone too!

What was it like meeting Oprah?

She’s quite the lady, eh? It’s an understatement to say that. She’s very natural and very kind, she really put me at my ease. Nice lady. She’s a legend in the USA but you wouldn’t think it because she carries it really well. It was a really good experience. I did a wee wiggle on stage Now I have to be a bit more of a lady. Not too much wiggling now!

We caught up with Susan last week and over the next few days we’ll be sharing her thoughts on her remarkable 12 months.

What has the past year been like for you?

It has been absolutely fantastic 12 months. I’ve been exploring new grounds, I’ve been learning all the time about my singing and the world, been to new countries and I hope to learn more. I want some more! Things have come on in leaps and bounds in the last year and I have had a good team around me and lots of support from everyone and fans, without which I wouldn’t be able to be where I am now.

What was the best moment of the last year for you?

Well there have been so many good moments of the last year, too many to mention but probably the most recent one, the concert I did in Japan in front of an 80 piece orchestra that was pretty awesome. There were 10,000 people in the audience and they sang happy birthday and I found that quite touching. I was handed some flowers by two little kids. Japan is one of my favourite places, every city has it’s own personality, Los Angeles has it’s own special glamour but Japan has a very delicate personality.

What has been the most surprising aspect of the last year?

The amount of attention that I was getting in the first place was the biggest surprise of the last year. A wee lady from Blackburn walks on with a terrible frock on, tights that were probably ripped, hair that was a mess. I mean it was really surprising and then appearing in Harper’s Bazaar two months later and making an album, singing professionally like I have always wanted to - its a complete contrast
but all good.

How does it feel to have your first album out and for millions of
people to have bought it?

I’m very pleased that it’s sold that amount and for someone who wasn’t a professional singer a year ago, I’m impressed with the guidance I’ve had and touched by the encouragement by the fans and I hope the next album can be as good as the first, if not better for all the people who have supported me.

How have you found the reaction from fans around the world?

Words can’t describe the amazing support I have had from the fans around the world. I’m very touched by the encouragement and loyalty and I hope I can continue to deliver the goods for them.

Are you enjoying the international travel trips?

Of course I am loving all the travelling I get to do! I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t. I want to do some more. Bring it on!

What has been your favourite trip abroad and why?

My favourite trip abroad, Well I really liked Japan because of the personality of the people there. They are so polite and courteous. They are so delicate in everything they do, a bit like a flower.

Who has been the nicest famous person you have met?

I’ve met Andrew Lloyd Webber, I’ve met the Priests. I’ve met so many famous people. They’ve all been really nice. Nobody really sticks out because they’ve all been lovely. Meeting Donny Osmond was a highlight, now you try staring at those great big eyes. Now who can’t go weak at the knees over him? What a hunk. He was really nice and I think what you see with Donny is what you get. He’s very natural and he’s got a wicked sense of humour

What’s been the funniest thing that happened to you this year?

That bloomin Splash mountain, that was terrible, who put me up to that hmmm? I was soaking and I was frightened but I laughed so much. It was good fun.The bloomin Dumbo ride at Disney, that was fun.Universal studios when that shark came up I jumped into the air and House of Horrors the zombies kept on jumping out at us. There’s a lot of happy memories in those trips and we all have such good fun.

Susan’s story touched a chord with millions around the world and her voice would make her one of the biggest selling female artists around. A year later Susan continues to take the success in her stride and we wish for many more glorious years ahead. Happy Anniversary!

She is now back on stage giving it her all for Amazing Grace. She is wearing her favourite burgundy gown and the new diamond and white gold bracelet she received from Simon Cowell for her birthday.

Susan has just completed her set with Wings To Fly to rapturous applause from the 8,000 strong audience. She is now being called back for an encore! The applause simply isn’t stopping, the orchestra are giving her a standing ovation! She has just walked back on stage - the whole auditorium has gone mad!!!

She has spoken with the maestro and she is encoring with the world’s favourite: I Dreamed A Dream.

Dream encore a triumph!!! The hostess is now wishing her a Happy Birthday and the orchestra are playing Happy Birthday, the audience clapping and singing along. Two children have just presented her with a bouquet and she is thanking the audience. She is receiving another ovation. It has been an amazing performance and a great experience for Susan!

After taking a walk along the peaceful river path, Susan ventured into Tokyo’s busiest district, Shibuya. For those who have never visited this bustling area, it is alive with sounds, visuals, digital displays, masses of people and more traffic than you can imagine! Susan loved it and said, “Oh it’s a real buzz here - you could only take it ion small doses though!”.

After a quick bite of lunch, Susan began vocal warm ups and headed off to rehearsal at the Budokan hall. She was nervous - the hall is immense and the Yomiuri orchestra very impressive - but once she took to the stage she was completely at home in her environment.

She is currently backstage having her hair and makeup done in anticipation of the big performance!

Will keep you posted!