Susan Boyle gets makeover

28th April 2009

posted in Personal |

When Susan Boyle takes the stage again in the next round of Britain’s Got Talent, gone will be the frizzy, grey-haired dowdy spinster. Meet the new, sleeker, more cosmopolitan Susan Boyle.

Susan Boyle Makeover

(The photo above was shot for a feature on the singing sensation in The New York Times fashion and style section.)

The breakout star showed off her newly dyed hair, stylish new cut, trendier duds and even-complexioned self outside her home in Scotland this week. She also had her eyebrows waxed and shaped and swapped her sensible shoes for chic high heels. Total cost for the new ‘do? About 35 pounds, or $50 U.S. dollars. Considering that I drop more than twice that on color, partial highlights and a cut and style, I think Susan’s transformation was a steal.

Not everyone is enthusiastic about Susan’s mini-makeover. It’s been reported that producers at Britain’s Got Talent are “frantic” over the changes. Remember judge Amanda Holden’s comments when we discussed Susan Boyle last week? “She needs to stay exactly as she is because that’s the reason we love her. She just looks like anybody who could live on your street,” said Holden. “The minute we turn her into a glamour-puss is when it’s spoilt.” Show producers had apparenly hoped Susan would maintain her dowdy appearance throughout the live finals assuming that the reason for her astronomical rise to fame lie not in her voice, but in her plain Jane every(wo)man appeal. Indeed, there are fans who say they feel betrayed by Susan’s new look and accuse her of selling out.

In an interview with CNN last week, the 47-year devout Catholic vowed to stay true to herself, adding “I wouldn’t want to change myself too much because that would really make things a bit false. I want to receive people as the real me, a real person.” I don’t think this makeover has changed that. Susan’s not parading about in a metal-studded leather bikini and faux tan, popping weight loss pills, going under the plastic surgery knife and pasting platinum blonde extensions onto her head. Her new look is more sophisticated, but it’s also quitely subdued, age-appropriate and still representative of the average everywoman… okay, maybe one who has cable and follows What Not to Wear. Susan didn’t change her looks so much as she simply enhanced them. And if a new haircut, makeup and a Burberry scarf make her feel more empowered and confident, I say more power to her.

When Susan’s audition video went viral, websites, blogs and messageboards were abuzz with talk of the frumpy spinster who was mocked, jeered and dismissed because of her unremarkable looks and then proceeded to bowl the world over with her remarkable voice. As HuffPo blogger Andy Borowitz summed it up: “…those exposed to the Susan Boyle phenomenon are grappling with the paradox – thought impossible up until now – that an ugly person could be talented.” Susan focused international attention on how we stereotype and categorize people by how they look and how we fall victim to the prejudices of look-ism, sizeism and ageism. The hullabaloo now over Susan’s makeover only reinforces how some people still don’t get it. We go on ad naueseum about how Susan Boyle teaches us that we need to look past superficial, surface-based biases to find the inner beauty, intelligence, talent, courage and humility in all people and then feign outrage when Susan alters that look. Are we really so concerned that Susan has sold out to the establishment or does our indignation stem more from the fact that we can no longer hold up the ugly duckling-turned-swan as emblematic of our own self-righteous tolerance. We like this dowdy virgin spinster, so therefore that must mean WE aren’t as shallow as those eye-rolling audience members who judged and dismissed her because of how she looks. Keep in mind, Susan did not ask to be made into a token of our collective hypocrisy nor did she set out to become symbolic of the common every(wo)man who are now living out their own failed dreams vicariously through her. All Susan Boyle did was step out on that stage with the intention of singing a song and it is that talent — not the way she looks or the clothes she’s wearing — that should be judged when she takes the stage again on May 23.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am and is filed under Personal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

1 On April 28th, 2009, Alyssa (The 39 year-old) said:

AMEN!!!!!
Having to conform to ANY standard, looks-wise, is ridiculous. The fact that we equate beauty with talent, intelligence, kindness, etc. may not be new, but it’s pathetic, nonetheless.
Let’s face it, Ms. Boyle has led a quiet, modest, low-key life. She’s not exactly one of the “Real Housewives” (thank god!!!!). If someone wants to give her a new haircut and a nice scarf, why shouldn’t she take it? As you say, it’s not as if she has completely changed who she is.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am

2 On April 28th, 2009, Meryt Bast said:

“And if a new haircut, makeup and a Burberry scarf make her feel more empowered and confident, I say more power to her.”

Me, too. To me, she still looks like the nice lady next door. I think calling this an “enhancement” instead of a “makeover” is accurate. She looks very nice and I hope that she feels good about her new duds and ‘do.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 11:49 am

3 On April 28th, 2009, Karen said:

I agree 100% with every word. Saying that Susan has to stay frumpy for our viewing pleasure is just as ridiculous as expecting celebrities (and anyone on TV, and all women, and …) to stay polished-to-perfection for our viewing pleasure. I’m glad to hear that the BGT people are concerned about it, as this means the new look is more likely to be truly of Susan’s choosing and not something pushed on her by publicists.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 11:57 am

4 On April 28th, 2009, Twistie said:

I think if the change had been too dramatic it would have come across to me as quite possibly staged. As it is, the woman got a better haircut, deforested slightly in the eyebrow area, and bought a couple accessories. She looks like dozens of women I see at the grocery store or the coffee house every day of my life.

What’s more, I’m betting nearly every person wringing their hands over Susan’s ‘sell out’ has had a mini-makeover just about as ‘drastic’ at some point in their lives.

Rock on, Susan! You’re looking good and sounding fabulous.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

5 On April 28th, 2009, Ann said:

I am not into makeovers–but this is just being smart with what you’ve got. I think she looks great, there’s no need to keep the frumpy look. She looks smart and confident, not fake and plastic. Also, she is still everywoman, because every woman can follow What Not to Wear. Good for her!

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

6 On April 28th, 2009, Fat Angie said:

I like it. She’s not hiding her looks or weight, and she looks more confident and comfortable.

I’m a little sad about the eyebrows, but they’re still nice and thick (I have thick eyebrows myself).

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

7 On April 28th, 2009, Liz said:

Ha, now she looks kinda like my mother. Good for her taking some time to pamper herself, any other TV show would be applauding such basic “improvements”. It is silly to think she “sold out” for putting a bit of color on a her hair and getting a trim.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

8 On April 28th, 2009, Bree said:

With her new clothing and hairdo, she looks like a friend of my grandparents who passed away a few years ago.

You’re right this isn’t a total makeover. Getting your hair styled and buying a few new accessories and clothes is something we do all the time. She didn’t get sucked and tucked, Botoxed or tanned. She’s entitled to it just like anyone else.

In the words of Chris Crocker, leave Susan Boyle alone!

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

9 On April 28th, 2009, littlem said:

Are we really so concerned that Susan has sold out to the establishment or does our indignation stem more from the fact that we can no longer hold up the ugly duckling-turned-swan as emblematic of our own self-righteous tolerance.

I’m not so sure it’s either-or. IMO it’s multifactorial.

Saying that Susan has to stay frumpy for our viewing pleasure is just as ridiculous as expecting celebrities (and anyone on TV, and all women, and …) to stay polished-to-perfection for our viewing pleasure.

This is a nice analogy.

I do think her black jacket is smart.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

10 On April 28th, 2009, Liska said:

While I think I’m about the only person in the whole world not completely blown away by her performance (I do think it’s nice to see someone who doesn’t look like a supermodel actually being shown to have talent, of course, but to me she’s just okay), I have to chime in here and agree with you. She looks better, certainly, but she doesn’t look like a different person. She looks like someone who was given the opportunity to take her own look and update it a little bit. Don’t many of us pluck our eyebrows and wear makeup? I certainly know that when my brows are done and my hair is nicely blown out and I have a cute outfit on and a little makeup evening out my face, I feel more confident. It’s not just how others see me, but how I see myself. She looks like she sees herself as a beautiful person, and there’s no substitute for that. And no one should ever deny another person that.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

11 On April 28th, 2009, D said:

No. She looks completely different, her hair color is red! One dose of fame and she completely changes. I don’t think she needed to change anything in the first place.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

12 On April 28th, 2009, Beth said:

This is what it takes to become a “sell-out”? Getting your hair cut and styled and wearing different clothes? Geezes, I hope I never get famous, I’ll be accused of selling out every couple of months…

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

13 On April 28th, 2009, TropicalChrome said:

Before her “makeover”, she looked like someone I might see at the grocery store or at the mall.

After….she still looks like someone I might see at the grocery store or at the mall.

I’m sorry, but I just can’t see how one could call the new look being a “glamour-puss”. I think some of the upset may be coming from more cognitive dissonance: first it was that an “ugly” person might actually be talented, and now that an “ugly” person might not be so ugly after all. I can see how this would continue to blow some people’s minds.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

14 On April 28th, 2009, Alex said:

Picking on Susan Boyle for her “makeover” is absurd. She looks great, and if she feels better about herself in her kicky jacket and Burberry scarf, more power to her.

Shame on producers for making this woman feel bad for a few purchases and a little bit of hair dye. Look at all the other Idol stars who drastically altered their appearances and weren’t chastised for it. Carrie Underwood, for instance, has shrunk to half her original size and completely changed her style, and the result? Praise.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 5:02 pm

15 On April 28th, 2009, Marste said:

I think some of the upset may be coming from more cognitive dissonance: first it was that an “ugly” person might actually be talented, and now that an “ugly” person might not be so ugly after all. I can see how this would continue to blow some people’s minds.
Wow, that’s a GREAT insight. I hadn’t thought of it in those terms, but I agree that it’s hard to imagine such minor changes upsetting people so much, unless there’s a larger dissonance at work.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

16 On April 28th, 2009, Godless Heathen said:

Eh. They didn’t really glam her up that much, she still looks like anybody’s next door neighbor. She looks a little like my mom did at her age. I’m sure it hasn’t affected her talent any, and she’ll still knock the judges flat on their collective ass.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm

17 On April 28th, 2009, merri said:

She looks like herself but slightly different. As long as you were already happy with yourself (and it seems like she was) that’s the best kind of makeover. And everyone gets a haircut now and then, even if they’re not suddenly famous. Maybe she would have done it anyway.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

18 On April 28th, 2009, Rachel2 said:

She looks fabulous! I would do the exact same thing. There’s something about being under scrutiny from the public. She didn’t completely butcher herself.

She’s already shown that she’s got talent, she’s just polishing herself off a bit. I would do the same! Whether or not she wins Britian’s Got Talent, she’s got a line of producers wanting her to do a music contract. …I think that she’s set, and I think that she’s tough as nails, and has the wherewithal to deal with it.

Go Susan!! Yeah!!

Chic, and sophisticated. I love it.

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 7:58 pm

19 On April 28th, 2009, CassandraSays said:

I agree with TropicalChrome. What seems to be freaking people out is the realisation that a lot of what we think of as “attractive” is simply packaging – styled hair, makeup etc – rather than anything inherant to the individual. It seems to a lot of people are very resistant to admitting this, probably because if they did they’d have to admit the extent to which the current construct of an “attractive woman” is almost totally artificial.

(And I’m saying this as someone who fits the construct – hair, makeup, heels etc)

posted on April 28th, 2009 at 10:14 pm

20 On April 29th, 2009, Mary Sue said:

Oh, thank God. I was afraid they were going to let the poor woman stay frumped.

I know I’m shallow. I’m a woman of color, though, and that means that I’m keenly aware of the impact dress, makeup, and hairstyle has on other people’s perceptions of you. I don’t play all the games (makeup and I are not friends) but if I leave the house, my hair is neat, my clothes are unwrinkled and unstained, and they are flattering cut and colors.

The first impression people get of me might be ‘fat Mexican woman’, but tagged on the end there is ‘dressed professionally’.

posted on April 29th, 2009 at 10:39 am

21 On April 29th, 2009, Rachel said:

@Mary Sue: I felt much the same way when I weighed my heaviest. I felt obligated to go extra mile in presenting myself as neat, well-dressed and groomed so as to counter the stereotype of the slovenly, smelly, unkempt fat person. Even now that I am 100 pounds lighter, I still won’t wear sweatpants out in public unless I’m going to the gym.

posted on April 29th, 2009 at 10:52 am

22 On April 29th, 2009, Rachel2 said:

@Mary Sue and Rachel:

I’m pretty much the T-shirt and jeans type. However, my big thing is personal hygiene. Teeth must be brushed, hair presentable, showered, clean clothes, deodorant, etc. That is how I feel the most presentable, and I’m okay with that. But, I do this no matter what weight I’m at because these things Are. Not. Negotiable.

Personally, unless somebody is going to the gym, I think that anybody who wears sweatpants out in public ought to be shot! LOL.

And all of this is in stark contrast to my early childhood. I was the gross kid and wore sweatpants (hey, they were comfortable, and who has time to shower, really?). I’ll fully admit that personal hygiene was not my biggest priority. Fortunately, I grew out of that, and my social life has blossomed since then. LOL.

Rachel, I think it’s important for ANYBODY to pay attention to personal hygiene. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. Actually, anybody that I do run into that happens to be the slovenly, smelly, unkempt type is very, very, very, very, rarely (if ever), fat. Interesting, huh? This HUGE stereotype (pun slightly intended), yet not a whole lot of weight in reality. There I go again! Damn, my punny brilliance is awesome today!

posted on April 29th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

23 On April 29th, 2009, twincats said:

I was just glad to see the unibrow go. No one needs to have one of those; I’d rather see sweatpants become the next big fashion statement.

posted on April 29th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

24 On April 30th, 2009, newlyveg said:

I find it a bit interesting that the same people that guffawed and mocked her before she sang are now trying to keep her from getting a “makeover.” I mean come on. First you ridiculed her because she couldn’t possibly have talent looking the way she did, and now you don’t want her to change her appearance? Here’s a novel concept, how about not ridiculing her in the first place? Then, maybe she wouldn’t feel like there was something wrong with her that she needed to change.

That being said, this is really just her working with what she has, enhancing her attributes. This is far from extreme makeover. And since when did a makeover become synonimous with a complete overhaul? I mean, I remember when changing your hair and getting new clothes was a makeover and getting plastic surgery was getting plastic surgery, not a “makeover.” Is that just me?

Its sad that we live in a culture that needs to be reminded that beauty does not equal talent/intelligence/kindness when the same culture worships lip synchers with no vocal talent, while being fully aware that these people can’t sing. Seems a bit odd, no?

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

25 On April 30th, 2009, Alix said:

Honestly, the way I see this is Susan thinking something along the lines of “Hey! I feel really fantastic! Things are going really well! I think I’m going to go buy a some new clothes. Maybe get my hair done. Dress myself up!”

Most people I know have these days. I’ve had them, my sister has had them, my mother (who is *gasp* 10 years older than Susan) has. I don’t see them as selling out, I see them as feeling very good about herself and wanting to give herself a treat.

Despite the makeover, the things I love about her are still there: Her amazing voice, her personality, and she’s not trying to hide her age.

Good for you, Susan!

posted on April 30th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

26 On May 2nd, 2009, FatNSassy said:

She has a right to do what she wants. And it is not that radical. But my personal opinion is that I don’t care for it. I think they should have kept the basic structure of her eyebrows and just thinned them a bit. And kept a patch of grey in her hair. I think that kind of dramatic look might work for her. But then again I am hardly an image consultant and the bottom line is that it is HER image!

posted on May 2nd, 2009 at 5:22 pm

27 On June 3rd, 2009, sheri bennett said:

I pray she gets back on her feet quickly and that everyone who has said they’ll help & support her, honestly and whole-heartedly follows through. Also that things work out the way she “dreamed”. I hope that this does not become a “be careful what you wish for” experience and that she is properous,happy, and content when she reflects back on this experience ten years down the road.

posted on June 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm