Free Susan Boyle by John McShane

literally overnight made her a name and an instantly recognisable figure globally. And the social networking website Twitter was to play its part, too.
    The most followed user of Twitter in the world is reputed to be the American actor Ashton Kutcher and immediately Susan’s YouTube clip was shown, he raved on Twitter: ‘This just made my night.’ His wife replied: ‘This just made my night.’
    His wife just happened to be actress Demi Moore, star of Ghost, Indecent Proposal and A Few Good Men .
    Over 1.5 million people ‘follow’ the couple on Twitter and thousands of them clicked on the links. Within 72 hours of the original broadcast, four million people had watched 48-year-old Susan’s performance. A show source said, ‘Thanks to Demi’s posting, Susan is now a genuine global megastar.’
    As cast recordings of versions of Les Misérables entered the download charts as a result of the impetus Susan had given, she was given the good news about the ‘endorsement’ by the A-list Hollywood couple. It didn’t make too much of an impact on her. A friend said, ‘Susan had no idea who Ashton Kutcher was. Although she’d heard of Demi Moore, she didn’t really know who she was. When I explained she was shocked and extremely grateful for their support.’
    Susan also became a highly prized interviewee. CNN’sLarry King was more used to questioning Presidents and State leaders then Scottish singers, but soon he was talking live to Susan on his top-rated show. Also in on the conversation was Piers Morgan.
    King asked: ‘How did you feel, by the way, Susan, when you came onstage?’ And she told him: ‘It felt very daunting at first, but I gradually picked up enough courage. I was very confident with the title.’
    King then said: ‘Now, people laughed, though, when you walked out. Some even rolled their eyes, they made faces, who was this lady? Didn’t that hurt you a little?’
    ‘That didn’t bother me because I knew I had to get on with my act,’ Susan replied.
    ‘So you had no question about your singing?’
    ‘Well, I wasn’t sure how I would be received so I just thought I’d give it a whirl.’
    Larry King then brought Morgan in. ‘All right. You’re a judge, Piers Morgan. What did you make of this whole thing?’
    ‘I sort of feel like apologising to Susan,’ Morgan said. ‘Since Susan, I know you’re listening, I’m sorry, because we did not give you anything like the respect we should have done when you first came out because it had been a long day in Glasgow, in Scotland, and lots of terrible auditions, and then you came out and we thought you were going to be a bit of a joke act, to be honest with you. And then I can remember every time I watched a clip it takes me back to that second when you had begun to sing,and I had never heard a more surprising, extraordinary voice coming out of somebody so unexpected.’
    He added: ‘But what’s astounding is the speed and the breadth of her success. I mean, I’ve been getting calls today from China, from Russia, from Australia. All around America, all around Europe. Susan Boyle has gone from total obscurity in the space of five days to global superstar and that’s just extraordinary. I think that within a year, whatever happens to Susan on the show, whether she wins or not, I think we’re going to see a number one album around the world. I think you’re going to see a world tour and I personally just want to say to Susan, thank you for coming on the show.’
    Morgan spoke of her appeal. ‘You know, the great appeal and charm of Susan is the way she is. The way she looks, the way she acts. And I would like to extend an invitation to you to have dinner with me in London, Susan.’
    Susan accepted.
    She even managed to sing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from Titanic totally unaccompanied, causing battle-hardened King to smile and say, ‘Amazing. You’re not kidding. Sinatra ought to be reborn. Susan Boyle, thank you. Best of luck. You’ll be