25 Comments

• Watereskhill | Dec 28, 2009, 02:29 AM EST

  With all her well earned and deserved accolades since, I nevertheless go back to those moments when she was scoffed at on the stage of Britian's Got Talent at her Audition. By a numb public and less than supportive panel of Judges who rolled their eyes on being informed that she was forty seven and if she had any "Who would you like to be as successful as?" (Simon Cowell) replied with another round of dismissal from the audience "Elaine Page" When those opening notes demolished all of them I got goosebumps and wept eyes wide open. I'm a guy. She blew me away. I wept and that's that.

• roseofengland | Dec 26, 2009, 05:31 PM EST

  PS 11. Having fun in the snow - lovely, happy. relaxed and confident. Great end to her special year.

• Fugate05 | Dec 26, 2009, 02:20 PM EST

  Two brief moments: 1)When Matt Lauer shows Susan her name on a lighted marquee and she breaks into this great, hearty laugh; and 2) When she is visiting LA for the second time. She is pushing her own luggage cart up the airport ramp and stops to come over and shake hands with fans lined up at the railing. Someone says, "Susan, you should have won," and she replies, "I've already won with you." Lovely lady.

• roseofengland | Dec 26, 2009, 09:23 AM EST

  1. Susan's knowing smile as she started to sing. 2. Susan's victory jig when she got 3 yeses. Even Simon gave a genuine laugh. 3. Susan's valiant performance in the BGT final, under immense pressure. I think this is when Simon decided she was a winner. He said whoever won, he adored her! 4. Susan arriving at LA airport with all the attention from fans and press of a mega star. 5. America's Got Talent. Superb performance. 6.Singing with Donny. She was so happy and excited. What a gentleman he is. 7. Singing at Dancing with the stars. She was up with the top singers. 8. New York, warm up, holding the audience in the palm of her hand, then singing live to how many million people? 9. Receiving the quilt and embracing Hugh. Sweet, humble, lovable, vulnerable Susan. 10. Duet with Elaine Paige, London.

• LinLinisme | Dec 25, 2009, 03:49 PM EST

  Her First album went Triple Platimun what are they going to call it when I Dreamed A Dream goes four times platimum. Will it be Quatro or Quatra Platimum. This will be the first one ever and I can't wait to see it. SUSAN BOYLE THE QUEEN OF MUSIC

• PhillyUSA | Dec 25, 2009, 11:37 AM EST

  I have two. Her audition and the reactions when she began to sing and also on the Susan Boyle Story, when she broke down and cried as Piers presented her with the Platinum record. I have watched the audition so many times and everytime they put the Susan Boyle Story on the TVGuide network, I watch it. She is totally amazing. Best Holiday Wishes from Philly USA

• dublingausafan | Dec 25, 2009, 10:59 AM EST

  on her first appearance at bgt when she sang and the crowd cheered and stood and she gave a sweet, knowing smile that she had won them over. Her eyes and smile together showed her satisfaction and knowledge of her acceptance. she knew she could sing and she showed the world.

• Gingercat | Dec 24, 2009, 12:39 PM EST

  I wish I thought the tabloids were permanently cured,but I fear they will continue with their lies shortly. Susan ignores them as does most of the world. Can I wish them coal in their stockings?

• alioops | Dec 24, 2009, 08:10 AM EST

  All of the above, but I include (1)her stepping out her front door in her polka dot bathrobe and furry slippers, unaffected and humble as she is. You'd never see Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys or even Chris Brown ever do that! (2) Buying herself a new couch and fridge (rather than a Mercedes or a posh London flat. It's these things that make her like the rest of us and that's why I love her. (3) Crying when Piers presented her with the album. I cried too! So happy for her. Merry Christmas, Niall.

• kathleenC | Dec 24, 2009, 05:31 AM EST

  All those events were special in Susan's life. Her kind reaction to Sharon Osbourne, and non-reaction to Amanda Holden would be number one with me. Changing "I dreamed that God would be forgiving" to "I pray that God would be forgiving" shows the depth of her understanding.(Notice her hand when she sings that line). Also, her insistence that 'we move on from there' when talking about the bullying. Her spirit is what permeates her every appearance - she's here for a reason. Let's just hope that the world will continue to learn from Susan Boyle as we head into 2010.

• Nounours | Dec 23, 2009, 02:34 PM EST

  My list would be much too long. So I just say: Thank you so very much, Susan, for having had the courage to step out into the light and give us all these wonderful and magical moments, and thank you Mr O'Dowd for all your support and great articles. To all of you: My best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy Year 2010 full of sunshine and lovely Susan moments and surprises.

• graysea | Dec 23, 2009, 02:00 PM EST

  Hi Niall, Happy Holidays again! Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year too. Your list above is just great, but I have so many more on mine. Just today I listen to the XFACTOR performance, again. Susan is absolutely perfect in this show. For anyone who hasn't seen it, please do, it is well worth it. My best memory so far, is shaking her hand in NY Rock Center Cafe. I will never forget it.

• SONGBIRDWATCHER | Dec 23, 2009, 01:55 PM EST

  MY FAVORITE SUSAN BOYLE MOMENT WAS WHEN HER FANS PRESENTED SUSAN WITH "THE BEAUTIFUL HAND MADE QUILT", LOVINGLY SOWN BY FANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.A PERFECT,HOMEY, LOVING GIFT, & A QUILT FOR PEBBLES TOO!. PRICELESS...

• ArielAZ | Dec 23, 2009, 01:37 PM EST

  The BGT audition, of course, is No. 1. Next, Susan twirling her red scarf and doing the shimmy (Matt Lauer called it "shenanigans") at Rockefeller Center. Then Randma's quilt presentation video, every moment of it. Then Susan in the middle of the road under the Hollywood sign. Then her portrait with Pebbles by her parlor window. Then Susan flying over Scotland in her TV special. Then Susan atop the Empire State Building. Then the whole series of Susan-at-her-doorstep pictures, starting with the polka dot bathrobe (please someone make a coffee table book out of all these pictures one day). Oh, the list goes on and on. Happy Holidays to you Mr. O'Dowd and a most wonderful New Year. You can be proud of all you have done for our beloved Susan this year.

• GritsTX | Dec 23, 2009, 01:03 PM EST

  I think the thing that endears me most to Susan - in addition to her pure, angelic voice and her brilliant interpretation of songs, is the fact that she is so unaffected, so humble, so real, so delighted, so touched by her unprecedented rapid rise to fame. I think Susan realizes that all the bullying and teasing that happened to her as a child and young adult are what caused her to turn to music and molded her into the Susan we are seeing today. Susan's acceptance of "who she is" and "life is as it is," to me, are awe-inspiring. The moment I will never forget and cherish is when the eye-rolling judges and audience members dropped their jaws and rose to their feet - just seconds after Susan began singing! Merry Christmas, Niall - thanks for your loving support of Susan - I think we're all in for a 2010 packed full of SusaWonders!

• busterbrown | Dec 23, 2009, 11:46 AM EST

  When she trimmed her eyebrows, coloured her hair, and shaved her face. I hope she doesn't let herself go like that again.

• ChrisinPAUSA | Dec 23, 2009, 11:04 AM EST

  Merry Christmas Mr.O'Dowd! Thanks for all of your support of our Susperstar Susan Boyle this past year. You are our hero! I like your top ten. Maybe there should be a top 20 there are so many great moments!

• Lonnirose | Dec 23, 2009, 10:57 AM EST

  My favorite Susan Boyle moment? There are so many - she continues to captivate me with her charm, her beauty, and her glorious voice. One choice has to be her audition, of course, and every BGT tour performance was exquisite. I loved seeing her Harper's Bazaar photoshoot. Hearing her rendition of Wild Horses for the first time was breathtaking. Seeing her interaction with her devoted fans in New York was absolutely thrilling. Her album is beautiful beyond description - there are simply too many Susan moments to choose one or even a few. This wonderful lady has changed my life for the better and I am thankful that my life's journey has included her.

• entropydecides | Dec 23, 2009, 10:43 AM EST

  Yes, I also enjoyed Molly's interview and the duet with Elaine Page, and her song with Donnie. The interview with with Fred O'Neil regarding his former pupil was also a highlight for me. I think I'd delete #7 and replace it with the duet with Elaine Page. Otherwise, great line-up!

• Randma47 | Dec 23, 2009, 10:36 AM EST

  Oh, Niall, how wonderful that you placed the moments at Rockefeller Center as #2!! It was, indeed, a grand time for us. As the lady who was privileged to assemble the quilts for Susan and Pebbles, this moment was highest on my personal list. It was an honor to present to Susan these fantastic offerings from 163 people in 28 countries. What a precious time to demonstrate to Susan what admiration and affection her fans around the world have for her. We fans continue to deeply appreciate your steadfast defense and advocacy for Susan Boyle. Long live Niall O'Dowd!!

• RetInKalifornia | Dec 23, 2009, 10:09 AM EST

  11. Her reaction to "IDAD" officially being U.K.'s top selling album in 2009; 12. (Provisionally) Her reaction to "IDAD" officially being U.S.A.'s top selling album in 2009.

• stevieboy49 | Dec 23, 2009, 10:00 AM EST

  That's a surprisingly straightforward one for me, Niall. There have been so many, it is true, and your fine article points them out with unerring accuracy. However, for me personally it has to be seeing Susan perform live in that ITV studio in London, the one song that I will always now associate her with, 'Who I Was Born To Be' and to see, with a feeling of enormous pride, her also receive (live) that platinum disc from Piers. Truly memorable moments and shared by me with newly found friends from the Netherlands and Sweden. That is the other aspect of all of this - the fact that Susan has brought so may people from across the globe together in one community, drawn not only by Susan's vocal talent, but by her inspiration and humility. It has been some year, not just for Susan but for all of us.

• CanadianBill | Dec 23, 2009, 09:46 AM EST

  Wouldn't disagree with any of your highlights Niall - I also will long remember her Television show (was able to view online), her duet with Elaine Paige, and her receiving her Platinum award (she cried). But best of all perhaps was her performance in Rockefeller Plaza when she showed the world she could handle the cold, the early hour, the huge crowd, and do it all like a total pro. Her interactions with the audience was a joy to watch. Thanks for sharing all the good that's come from Susan's amazing first year.

• carol0911 | Dec 23, 2009, 09:46 AM EST

  All great moments, Niall. Here are mine: 1. Seeing Simon's eye's lift and hearing the first incredible notes of I Dreamed a Dream on BGT. 2. Watching Susan recover from a false start on Memory on the semi-final and finish with that glorious note. 3. Watching her arrive in LA to adoring fans and seeing the picture of her gently patting the girl who had impulsively reached out to hug her. 4. Her reaction to Oprah when she asked her about a "makeover" and she said "my best friend helped me with my makeup, that's hardly a makeover". (I must say I lost a lot of respect for Oprah's interviewing ability that day) 5. The first time I heard "Wild Horses". 6. Her interview with Molly Meldrum for Australia tv. 7. The first time I heard the album. 8. Watching her reaction when she received the platinum record on the Susan Boyle Story 9. Listening to her answers to fan questions. 10.Seeing the incredible sales figures in the UK after the tabloids had done all they could to beat her down and count her out. The Brits were having none of it. Sorry, I have to have another: 11. The quilt presentation in NY with her sweet reaction.

• littlecee | Dec 23, 2009, 09:41 AM EST

  Totally agree with all-The class,character,remaining true to who she is, and-oh that voice-continue to amaze me everyday.