Biography

Boyle's first performance of I Dreamed a Dream lasted for two minutes and 25 seconds. When the clip arrived on Youtube, 1,100,000 watched it in the same day. She became an Internet phenomenon within three days, after it had been seen by 3.5 million people, and a global superstar within five days. 26 million people had seen it at the end of the week. Globally, it was the most watched clip that week. 120 million people saw it after the second week, outdistancing The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) trailer by 90 million views. By the time of the final, 220 million had seen the clip. She is the most hit upon Youtube phenomenon of all time, and the most Googled lady on Earth.

To get to the audition that made her a star, she took six different buses.

Found a stalker in her home, a middle-aged American woman. Simon Cowell ordered extra security from Edinburgh for the shaken Boyle.

The most successful act to emerge from Britain's Got Talent (2009), she managed to crack the US in eight days.

A victim of bullying as a schoolgirl, Boyle recorded the Madonna / David Foster-penned song, "You'll See", the lyrics of which served as subtle rebuttal against those who victimized her. The track appeared on her first album "I Dreamed a Dream" (2009). Boyle revealed to Piers Morgan that many of her childhood bullies have since apologized and reconciled with her.

To anyone who has a dream, I say follow that dream. You re never too old. It is never too late.

I can be up and down like a yo-yo.

I like to think that people who dare to dream can have that dream come true through their own determination.

[her mother] I know she would have been proud of me.

I've grown up a bit.