Published: April 22, 2009 08:17 am      

Be careful not to judge a book by its cover

Looks are not everything. Susan Boyle, a “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant and You Tube sensation, proved that to the world recently.

Dressed in a frumpy dress, donning frizzy hair and eyebrows like Groucho Marx, Susan did not look very impressive to the judges on that show or to the audience members who mocked and made fun of her as she walked across the stage. When she told everyone she was trained to be a professional singer, many snickered.

When Susan opened her mouth, however, and started to sing, “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables,” every person in that theater was in shock. I am talking deer in the headlights shocked. Simon Cowell, one of the judges, had the most overwhelmed and stupefied look on his face that I have ever seen.

Her voice resonated throughout the theater like a force of nature. When she was finished, there was thunderous applause. The judges then apologized for the way they had judged her solely based on her appearance.

Sometimes a pretty face is just that and nothing else. Our society needs to look deep inside a person’s soul. What lies inside a person’s heart is the only thing that really matters.

I watched Susan’s You Tube performance twice and I was touched beyond belief. She had the courage to suffer through scornful remarks to reach for her dream. She said she wanted to make her parents proud and I think she went way beyond that. I am sure they were smiling down from heaven on their daughter with pride.

Many of us have unfulfilled dreams and often live with that question, “What if?” I admire this British talent very much for never having to ask herself that question again.

When I was in high school, my dream was to perform in musicals on Broadway. I loved to sing in front of crowds. I never felt more relaxed or comfortable when I was singing. That may be a little hard for people to believe now, but if everyone was that predictable, life would never be full of surprises. When I sang, I had the opportunity to become someone else — Angie Bicker was just a memory.

The closest I ever came to my dream was when I visited my great-uncle and aunt, Ralph and Betty, in New Jersey. They were gracious enough to take me into New York to see Broadway musicals during my stay. When I was sitting in the fourth row watching “The Music Man,” I had tears in my eyes. I remember thinking how lucky these performers were to be living out their dream on the stage. So in a small way, on that day so many years ago, I was able to grasp a little bit of my dream. I hope Susan wins the “Britain’s Got Talent” competition for all of us who still have to live with that question, “What if?”

I watched an interview with Susan on “Good Morning America” last Thursday and learned she is unemployed and living in a very poor Scottish village with her cat. If she wins the competition and becomes a singing sensation, this would be better than any fairy tale. I think there could be a movie in the works, don’t you?

I really admire this 47-year-old woman who did not let hurtful remarks or jeering looks get in the way of her dream. What is the old saying, “Sticks and stones may broke my bones, but words can never hurt me?” Way to go Susan, we’ll be cheering for you.



Angie Bicker is the lifestyles editor with the Clinton Herald. She has been with the Herald since 2001.