Interview: Susan Boyle on the last 10 years

The Scottish singing sensation opens up ahead of her forthcoming UK tour.

This spring one of the biggest talents ever to catapult her way from would-be reality TV contestant to multi-million album selling megastar is touring the UK.

Scottish songbird Susan Boyle not only stunned the usually unimpressed Simon Cowell, but also captivated the entire world with her audition for Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. Just over a decade on, she’s celebrating all of her dreams that have come true in the music business with the TEN tour.

After kicking off in Edinburgh, Boyle will perform in Dundee, Glasgow, Nottingham, Woking, Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester, taking in a total of eight shows in early March.

Susan Boyle’s UK tour dates

1 March 2020 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh
3 March 2020 – Caird Hall, Dundee
4 March 2020 – SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
6 March 2020 – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
7 March 2020 – New Victoria Theatre, Woking
8 March 2020 – Hippodrome, Bristol
10 March 2020 – St David’s Hall, Cardiff
11 March 2020 – Palace Theatre, Manchester

Speaking from her home in West Lothian, Susan Boyle opens up about the tour, her new album and some musical highlights.

Of course, when Boyle looks back, that storied audition when she sang I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables – now one of the most watched YouTube videos ever – ranks at the top of her list.

Susan Boyle - Britains Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 - Saturday 11th April | HD High Quality

Watch this video on YouTube

“[There was] the surprise of the first audition… and then I made it through to the finals – and that was even better,” says Boyle of her run on the third season of BGT. “I came in second, but it’s good to come in second. There’s nothing wrong with second.”

Indeed, although the dance troupe Diversity took first place, that show launched her career as a professional singer.

In 2009 Boyle’s first studio album, titled I Dreamed A Dream, came out, grabbing the No.1 spot on the Billboard charts for six weeks before becoming the UK’s bestselling debut album of all time. She followed that up with The Gift, a Christmas-themed collection, in 2010. Boyle also released Someone To Watch Over Me in 2011, Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs From The Stage in 2012, Home For Christmas in 2013, Hope in 2014 and A Wonderful World in 2016.

Last May, she unveiled her eighth album, TEN.

“All the songs were chosen in collaboration with my record label,” says Boyle of the compilation which features thirteen previously released tracks plus four new ones – 500 Miles, Stand By Me, Climb Every Mountain and A Million Dreams, a duet with Michael Ball along with the Rock Choir.

“You give people something new,” says Boyle. “It’s sort of like what the fans wanted – they wanted something new and I wanted to surprise them.”

Susan Boyle, Michael Ball - A Million Dreams (Official Video)

Watch this video on YouTube

Over the years she’s had the chance to duet with many of her idols – everyone from Elaine Paige and Michael Bolton, to Johnny Mathis and Plácido Domingo. Boyle even visited Las Vegas where she joined her childhood idol Donny Osmond on stage at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino to sing This Is The Moment.

“I would like to sing with Michael Bublé,” she says. “I would like to sing with Alfie Boe too.”

Her soaring vocals have been showcased during some unforgettable live appearances in the past 10 years – from singing for Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park in 2010 to kicking off the Commonwealth Games as the Queen arrived at Glasgow’s Celtic Park in 2014.

In addition to her music, Boyle released her autobiography, The Woman I Was Born To Be, in 2010. Last year a new film company picked up the rights to it. What’s more, she did a hilarious cameo in 2016’s Zoolander 2 alongside stars Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson.

Boyle’s rise to fame has included roaming all around the world, and she enjoys being on the road and performing live.

“I like the audience interaction,” says Boyle. “I like that whole atmosphere. It’s very electric.”

And with the TEN tour her travels are still going strong. Boyle’s first major UK outing in six years, she says that fans “can expect something more upbeat and very lively, with songs that you can get up and dance to.”

Her life-changing journey has involved changing the lives of others too. A force for numerous philanthropic endeavours, last November Boyle performed at a charity event in Miami to raise funds for education programs that help eradicate illiteracy. She’s also lent her voice and support to a variety of community organisations throughout Scotland as well as to several children’s charities.

The arrival of 2020 and the next decade look just as promising for Boyle who’s planning more of the same.

“To keep going, keep making albums, keep making people happy,” says Boyle. “As long as audiences are happy, I don’t see any reason why I should give up.”