Susan’s trip to Chicago was possibly the most exciting event of her career to date. She was there to perform on one of the most coveted television shows - ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’
Susan first “met” Oprah during the early days of her BGT adventure via satellite so she was particularly thrilled to be able to appear in person this time around. Susan says, “I had spoken to Oprah before and she was a very, very lovely lady. So I was really looking forward to meeting her again.”
At 8:00 AM that morning, Susan sat for makeup in her hotel room. She had a simple breakfast of tea and a muffin. At 10:30, Susan and her team left the hotel and arrived at Harpo Studios where the show is filmed. Her dressing room was, as always, a peaceful haven. Susan’s rider is simple: some sandwiches, some hot water, honey and lemon - and some cakes, which were snapped up very quickly by her team!
While the machinery which is typical of every television performance geared up on stage - checking lights/cameras/rehearsing the choir/orchestra tuning up, etc. - Susan spent a happy hour warming up her voice.
At 1:30 PM Susan was ready; dressed in her beautiful rouge noir layered dress and matching wine-colored shoes. “I feel really nice,” she said, smoothing her new chic hairstyle, “I am nervous - I have butterflies, I hope I don’t disappoint.”
She needn’t have worried. Oprah, now on set, began her introduction, citing Susan as the fastest selling debut female artist ever. The atmosphere in the famous studio was palpable. Oprah spoke to some fans who had travelled to see Susan. There were some tears as they talked of how Susan symbolized hope to everyone and was the spark plug in their lives - in particular, those who perhaps felt they were too old to realize their dreams. Susan, they said, was living proof that everyone could have a second chance at life.
On this emotional note, white ethereal curtains were lifted to reveal Susan standing in a circle of light. Her rendition of “Who I Was Born To Be” was utterly beautiful and uplifting, and the ovation she received afterward was all Susan needed to let her know that she most certainly did not disappoint!
Next, Susan hopped up onto a chair for her chat with Oprah. Oprah, famous for her searching and emotionally charged interviewing techniques quizzed Susan on everything - from how she had arrived at the BGT auditions all those months ago, through her troubled times and out the other side to Susan’s life now and her dreams for the future. Susan treated her audience to a “Boyle” wiggle and all too soon the interview was over.
As Susan left the set, a crowd of producers, researchers, runners, fans, and record label executives had gathered and treated Susan to a glory walk with applause and happy cheers. Her Oprah performance was a triumph in every sense. Susan had captured hearts all over again.
“How did I do?” she asked quietly, in the privacy of her dressing room five minutes later. “You did great!” Was the response. Susan merely inclined her head and smiled a warm, pleased smile. “Did I enjoy it? Well, I was very nervous but once I began to sing that all lifted away and I felt every note. And I liked the interview very much - Oprah is a very clever lady and it feels good to be challenged. I loved it.” She then went on to ask:
“So, what’s next? Bring it on!”
The more successful and famous one gets, the more the jerkalists try to make some money off that person for themselves. As Madonna advised Adam Lambert, you have to keep the blinders on so you can’t see what’s going on beside you and stay focused on your goal. Becoming the greatest star in the world from the bottom rung of the ladder in less than a year is something no one has ever done before now. There’s no precedent. I’m amazed at Susan’s grace and strength of character under such a challenge. But God has given her a wonderful gift of singing; He intends for her to use it to bless the world, and she is obeying His command. Keep singing, Susan. We love you. (Simon said Susan is probably the greatest star he’s ever discovered. Probably? Certainly. He can afford to resign from America’s Got Talent now.)
Dear Susan,
Your performance of “Who I Was Born To Be” was fantastic! I feel this song has such an emotional connection with who you are and yes, who YOU were born to be. I love the album, your whitty sense of humor, and you have the voice of an angel. I can only hope you will tour in the US in the future as I will definitely be sitting somewhere in the audience with a really big smile on my face. Thank you Susan for being such an inspiration. God Bless!
Dear Susan,
Your performance of “Who I was Meant to Be” was so full of emotion, it moved me so that I had to watch it over and over and over and over. It goes to validate what I have said from the beginning that the experience of ‘watching’ you sing is even more intense than just ‘hearing’ you; which is why, even back on the old YouTube site, that we now know was a fake and not yours, I was pleading for a DVD of you singing. I am blessed each time I hear you sing, and you MUST, make it easier than going to YouTube for us to listen to “Wings To Fly” and include that in your next USA CD.
****Thank you to your management/publicity team for this first real time, in depth article on your website. We, your fans, are always hungry for more articles like this.****
For you Susan, may God’s blessings continue to surround you.
It was so wonderful seeing you on the Oprah show. You looked so happy and relaxed. The song you sang was my second favorite. First place in my heart will always be the song you sang at your audition. I wish you love, good health and above all else - laughter!
I agree with Beth. Susan doesn’t need all the choir backup. In fact it got rather distracting and I felt like the guy in the theater who turns around and says, “Be quiet in the back row—I’m trying to hear the movie!”
I heard that Susan will be participating in the charity recording of a single by many top artists, benefits to go to Haiti. Good for you, Susan. Can’t wait to hear it!
made an error in spelling. Susan sang and looked great.
Nevie again
I SO ENJOYED SEEING SUSAN ON THE SHOW. SHE SING AND LOOKED GREAT. LOVE HER DRESS.
WILL SUSAN MAKE ANOTHER ALBUM. I SURE HOPE SO.
Nevie from VA in US
Amazingly beautiful….you make me think of all I could be….a dream come true. I don’t sing, but you inspire me and a lot of other people on this earth. God Bless You!
I loved seeing Susan perform on Oprah. The interview was way TOO short! Her voice always captivates me. I can’t wait for her next CD. Susan is the best thing to happen to the music industry since Barbra Streisand arrived on the scene.. On her next CD, please have less choir and more of Susan alone with the orchestra.
Susan, I enjoyed watching you on the Oprah Show! You looked positively beautiful with your pulled back hairdo, very becoming makeup, long earrings and lovely gown. When you sang “Who I Was Born To Be”, I was mesmerized by your beautiful voice. You certainly are ‘who you were born to be’ now. I was saddened that your visit on the show was so short as I would have loved to see the whole program devoted to you. Also I was very let down that we fans were not given the opportunity to be in the audience. I pray that I will get to see you in person one of these days in the near future! Keep singing, beautiful lady! You’ve only just begun. The future has much more in store for you.
Love from Iowa..Ruby and the kitties
