Talent Recap

Simon Cowell Revisits Susan Boyle’s “Magical” ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Audition

Susan Boyle on the 'America's Got Talent: The Champions' Red CarpetPhoto by Tibrina Hobson/WireImage

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Over a decade after Susan Boyle shocked the world with her spellbinding Britain’s Got Talent audition, Simon Cowell is still in awe of the impact she made. The Scottish singer joined the show’s season three in 2009, finishing second during the Finale.


Simon Cowell Says Susan Boyle Changed Britain’s Got Talent Forever

Earlier this year, the music mogul sat down with America’s Got Talent host Terry Crews to reminisce 16 of his most notable moments from AGT and BGT. As they rewatched Boyle’s audition, Cowell gushed over her unexpectedly powerful vocals.

“I was having a terrible, terrible day, and I remember saying, ‘I really, really hope she’s not gonna sing,’ because there were so many bad singers that day and I thought, ‘I just can’t take another one,'” he said.

Unluckily, Cowell’s hope wasn’t granted. Be that as it may, Boyle’s audition wasn’t a washout. The singer managed to defy people’s first impression of her and stunned the whole crowd when she sang “I Dreamed A Dream” from the musical Les Miserables.


“Our expectations were quite low, but she is the perfect example of never judge a book by its cover,” Cowell said. “She is just the most incredible person. This was a lady who lived on her own in Scotland, and she came on the show and everything changed.”

The mogul went onto explain that up until that audition, people held unfair standards of who deserves to claim fame. But as he said, Boyle came to change the rule book “full stop.”

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Boyle Says He’s “The Best Boss in the World”

After her remarkable audition on BGT, she had to get used to her instant fame. According to her, she took a while before realizing that “a wee unknown lady with a cat in Scotland” has already become popular. 


When she returned for America’s Got Talent: The Champions, Cowell was blissful to see her compete again. Boyle later expressed her appreciation for the executive, saying he’s the “best boss in the world.”

“Simon is the biggest inspiration in my career. He’s been my boss for almost 10 years, and I strive to make him proud. He inspires me to continue and strive for perfection,” she said.

Boyle came back to BGT earlier this year, revealing she had suffered a stroke in 2022. Now, after fighting “like crazy,” she’s back on stage and ready to perform again. 

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