It’s hard to believe it’s been more than 15 years since Susan Boyle first shocked the world as a contestant on the third series of Britain’s Got Talent, when over 10 million viewers tuned in to watch her perform “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables in April 2009.
And now Boyle has gotten a makeover that matches her incredible voice.
The 64-year-old stepped out at the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday, October 20 looking nearly unrecognizable, debuting a sleek long blonde bob. She paired the new hairstyle with a chic black and white floral print gown under a black fur wrap. Boyle completed the look with an elegant strap of pearls, bright ned nails, and black patent pumps.
Suffice it to say, the look was certainly a departure from Boyle’s comparatively more matronly appearance that helped skyrocket her to fame.
Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
When the “I Dreamed a Dream” singer first debuted on the reality talent competition series, people couldn’t wrap their heads around such an angelic voice coming from out of a frumpy 47-year-old woman. A YouTube video of her audition performance uploaded just six years ago currently boasts 30 million views.
As soon as she opened her mouth to sing, the audience went absolutely wild, while the judges could barely believe what they were hearing.
“Without a doubt, that was the biggest surprise I have had in three years of this show,” gushed Piers Morgan, before tactlessly adding, “When you stood there with that cheeky grin and said, ‘I want to be a [singer]’, everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now.”
Quipped Simon Cowell, “I knew the minute you walked out on that stage that we were gonna hear something extraordinary, and I was right.”
While she’s not as popular in the United States, Boyle is still huge in Britain. In 2011, she became the first female in UK music history to achieve three successive No.1 debuting albums in less than two years with 2009’s I Dreamed a Dream, 2010’s The Gift, and Someone to Watch Over Me in 2011. Currently, her net worth stands at approximately £22 million ($29 million USD).
In 2011, Boyle spoke with Today about staying grounded with her newfound fame, and not letting the overnight success going to her head. Although, she admitted that she feels more confident now than she did onstage for the first time.
“It was obvious in my audition that I lacked confidence. Look at me (now),” she said at the time. “There’s a complete contrast. It’s a good one.”
