The diagnosis that changed Susan Boyle's life | A Current Affair

Hello, welcome to this special edition of a hot topic arriving tonight from London. Ten years ago, the world was obsessed with Susan Boyle after she took to the Britain's Got Talent stage and sang in that amazing voice that she had a dream, but fame. and success can be a double-edged sword and Susan later struggled with public crises and family problems even as her albums were breaking sales records, then she received a

diagnosis

that

changed

everything because you too carried the dreams of everyone who has ever been harassed misunderstood have I ever been marginalized maybe I was really saying if I could do it, you can do it and it's amazing how many people who have taken that on with physical disabilities and everything is that your message yes, to spread kindness, yes, Don't say just one part. of me just seeing the whole person not just about me just the whole person is a pretty good person as a whole it was a great act of bravery I think it wasn't like that I did it mainly for my parents because my mother died two years before that and I told her to try to do something with my

life

she used to say uh, well, you're doing it yourself, you have a reasonable voice, you should do something with it, did you really think about not going ahead?

Well, now Courtney Pierce Morgan, I was all ready to leave the show, but he said to me: Don't you have one? You have the press to prove a point to come back and do it again. I'm glad I don't know. I can imagine how hard it was, you know, just stay. Well, when you have a lot of pressure, a lot of different things happen at once, it's difficult, but you tell yourself this is what you wanted to do, this is what you really worked on, Susan was an immediate phenomenon. To date she has sold more than 25 million albums, was number one in 40 countries and had two Grammy nominations, but 10 years ago instant fame took its toll.

Susan collapsed after the final of Britain's Got Talent. The pressure was too much. I was already there, you were there. I mean there were times, I guess, when we look back at the pressure you were under, you know you were a global sensation, how did you process all that pressure, Susan? To begin with, it was difficult for me, we are not going to lie to you. you, but I think you know that it has defeated the unknown, you really know that that was really what it was at that particular time, but as the years went by, I learned to learn to tune into things more, there were people in the time that they were worried about your health and thought it was too much for you, do you remember feeling that kind of pressure and that kind of worry about whether it was too much?

After the team, I didn't have the tools to deal with it. One person who knows exactly how challenging this time was for Susan is her publicist and longtime manager Nicola Phillips. My initial role was to go in and advertise and also belittle the very negative headlines that were happening at the time. There was a tall poppy, I mean, first of all, she was wrapped up in a big hug and then suddenly everyone came out for her and how did she deal with that? I mean, not very well, but I don't think anyone would. when you know you're being publicly murdered and insulted and no one is going to deal with it well, especially when you come from a very provincial town in Scotland and you've spent your

life

really wrapped in cotton, um, that's how it was.

I was dealing with that shock, so no, I mean, it obviously bothered her for years. I thought she had something a little more serious going on, you know, so that took me off a little bit. You had always thought you had mild brain damage. Don't you have severe brain damage too because it was educational? You were supposed to be a little slow, a slow learner, but actually, when you received the Asperger's

diagnosis

, you were also told that you had a very high IQ, higher than normal. Well, that was a little surprising, I think sudden fame is, you know, I mean, it's a lot to deal with for someone who doesn't have Asperger's, but it adds a whole other layer to it, don't you think?

You and that Asperger's ass. you just have to make people aware that sometimes you have to go to a certain place you know, don't let yourself be bombarded with things too much, I mean at first it was very bombarded, yeah, and you've been very open about your Asperger's , which one are you? I know what's decent of you because a lot of people try to keep those things a secret and you haven't, there's nothing that's kept a secret, there's really nothing to be ashamed of, not everyone has something, I mean we flow of your leg, but they I shouldn't be ashamed of it, it's something you bring to light and the hope that it helps other people you know, but I would like to hear the voice of the people who have been helpless, no, you, I you described as King Kong. mother, when you feel like you're having a problem what you're talking about, I control it more, I can laugh about it now it feels like I'm in a bubble and you can't really talk very well because it's also communicative if people I give you a little more time like you're doing.

Thank you. Eventually I can understand my words and I'm fine. I don't get the sense that you're struggling with your words. Well, whatever it is. So what are the solutions? skills that you learned when you got that diagnosis, well, when you're like that, you become hyperactive, you know when you're shaking everything up, so learn to calm down using relaxation techniques like a snowball. A lot of people have remembered the public meltdowns and And you know the serious problems she's had over the years and a lot of people have formed the opinion that she really shouldn't continue acting because it's not good for her.

Well, I see that I don't agree at all. She has an amazing life, Susan. She'll never care about, you know, money, she'll never care about chart positions, she cares about making people happy because we have to go through, you know, airport security and God knows what else, except for someone. with Asperger's, that is intensified because suddenly you know that you are experiencing a pat down or people are in your face is that you know it's a lot Do you think that now she can handle the meltdowns and that they just won't happen again? Are you sure about that?

I'm not saying they won. It'll never happen again, right, I mean, but I think in terms of where we were and the frequency, I mean, they're few and far between now, what are your dreams now on the bucket list? A small wish list. Okay, I want. let's go ride a bike I have my first bike I never had a bike when I was a kid and I have my professional license I have learned to drive really safe you are good so far well I have I managed to get to a street lane but That way it's okay, it's a very good start and why wouldn't you have gotten your license?

You know, years ago, why did it take you until now to do that? Oh, 58, my numbers are 58. The little bird told me that you're also thinking about getting your pilot's license. Oh yes, I mentioned to someone that I was interested in flying. Are you serious? Yes, there you have it. Is it just a chance behind the wheel or something? You, uh, I definitely have nerves to steal diving, I think city diving, what else is on your wish list? I was going to buy a horse. A horse, no, yes, I'm going to go crazy until I die.

Why do you want a horse? Just some beautiful animals. They are beautiful animals. You will also learn to ride. We'll keep you guessing. There's nothing you don't want to do now. Is there? It feels like you've been. I don't know. Keep going. I just want to continue entertaining. people making albums on tour in my next life I'm going to have that voice that we cry when we see it for the first time you say you're leaving, they don't have to say it's a good time because you stay grounded, you also make yourself appear Usually other people you know are approachable if you want and it's so important for you to not have ears and grace to put on ears and glasses when you need them.

We were given exclusive access to their rehearsal ahead of the Britain's Got Talent finale. like we came together we are the legend of music michael ball look at me showbiz i play it and i love it and

susan

we are preparing for its live performance it is the biggest show on british television yes it is special it is also its 10th anniversary and I'm singing with one of the most fabulous singers it was today your first rehearsal your first rehearsal is literally the day before the performance do you feel safe? I really am and I think there's a different acting energy that you get, I mean you.

You're in some kind of subway right here when you come out and it's going to be wonderful, it's going to be wonderful, it's just yes, yes, but we have to make it, yes, yes, you have to make it, okay, I'm leaving. In your way, I mean, there's no other reality TV staff member who's been working for 10 years and it's hard in the entertainment industry to disappear for a while, which she did and then come back, yeah, but we managed to do it. She is the queen of compact, including the United Kingdom and Scotland, plenty of room for more information.

Could you come to Australia? I would love to come to Australia. I would love to visit them again. The Australians would love to have you back. Susan and I, if you come back. I'll introduce you to my two horses, well, they're good, okay, we can go for a ride. Susan is no ordinary recording star and this is no ordinary interview either. She is extremely shy and Asperger's influences how she interacts and how she communicates, which really, when you think about it, makes her achievements even more remarkable. She now has more money than she will ever spend, so the fact that she is willing to step back into the spotlight is a testament to her worth. and maybe a little Scottish stubbornness too.

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