Susan Boyle
Gossip

She's 48, she was discovered on a reality show and, having overcome insults about her appearance, she's on the verge of releasing her debut CD.

But the story of Susan Boyle goes beyond what viewers saw on Britain's Got Talent.

The singer, who was born with a learning disability after being starved of oxygen as a baby, opened up to Great Britain's The Daily Mirror about her abusive past this week.

“You’re looking at someone who would get the belt every day," she said. “There was discipline for the sake of discipline back then. But it’s all very different now. I think teachers are taught to understand children with learning disabilities a lot better.”

Boyle added that students "used to knock me about a bit and try to make me cry."

Susan's father died in the 90s. Her mom passed away in 2007. How has she thrived in the face of all these obstacles? Through a powerful belief in herself and her talent.

“I have my faith, which is the backbone of who I am... I had a slight disability, but rather than let that rule my life I had to find my abilities and make the most of them instead.”

She's certainly done so. Boyle's album will be released on Monday. It faces stiff competition from albums from Adam Lambert, Rihanna and John Mayer. But Susan has dealt with more pressing problems in the past.

“This feels like a good way of making up for that – a very, very enjoyable way of making up for it," she said of the CD, which she describes as "a reflection of my whole life.”

Will you buy Boyle's album?

Sharon Osbourne may think Susan Boyle is ugly, but we're excited to hear more from this talented Scottish singer.

The Britain's Got Talent finalist will perform next week on Dancing with the Stars, likely singing material from her upcoming CD, I Dreamed A Dream, which hits stores on November 24.

"She's excited and happy," said her brother, John Boyle. "She loves America and loves the people. She appreciates their honesty."

Boyle previously sung for U.S. audiences on America's Got Talent in September. Her presence on Dancing with the Stars should liven up an incredibly boring season.

Someone needs to hand Sharon Osbourne a mirror.

The talentless America's Got Talent judge appeared on Sirius XM's The Opie & Anthony Show today and blasted Susan Boyle. Said Sharon:

"[God] gave her the talent. But he hit her with a f*cking ugly stick.... I like everybody to do well. Even somebody that looks like a slapped arse... God bless her. It's like, 'You go girl'. She does look like a hairy a**hole."

Note to Osbourne: you're not exactly Megan Fox! Watch the video below:

Based on these taunts, we've gotta ask: Who would you rather... you know?

On November 24, Susan Boyle will release her debut album.

It's titled "I Dreamed a Dream" (after the Les Miserables song that made her famous) and will feature a number of remakes. The complete track list is below.

Will you purchase Boyle's album? Before you say yes, remember: it comes out the same day as the first-ever CD from Adam Lambert. You might need to call in sick to work that week in order to enjoy both these albums.

Here's a complete look at the songs included on "I Dreamed a Dream."

• "Wild Horses"
• "I Dreamed A Dream"
• "Cry Me A River"
• "How Great Thou Art"
• "You'll See"
• "Daydream Believer"
• "Up To The Mountain"
• "Amazing Grace"
• "Who I Was Born To Be"
• "Proud"
• "The End Of The World"
• "Silent"

Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free...

This saying, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, must be amended for today's celebrity gossip culture, as someone needs to go in and add "... and your talented!"

Last night, for example, Scotland imported Susan Boyle to America for an evening, as she performed on the season finale of America's Got Talent. Check out her performance of "Wild Horses" below:

What do you think? Does Boyle has a future in the music business?

Her debut album comes out on November 24, the same date on which fans can purchase the first-ever CD from Adam Lambert. In other words: be prepared for iTunes to be especially slow that day!

The show is called America's Got Talent.

But it will soon feature a Scottish sensation!

Indeed, Susan Boyle is set to perform on the September 16 season finale of this popular reality competition, as the second place finisher on Britain's Got Talent sings for the first time on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Boyle's appearance on the program marks a break from her time in the recording studio, where she's busy crafting her first album.

It will be released on November 24, the same day as Adam Lambert's debut CD. Which singer do you think will sell more copies?

In the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar, Leighton Meester addresses a certain foot fetish-based sex tape.

But that actually might not be the most interesting article in the magazine.

Elsewhere, Susan Boyle sits down for a revealing interview. She dishes on the sudden notoriety that came her way as she progressed on Britain's Got Talent:

"YouTube? What's that? A tube of candy? I don't think so!" she joked. "That was a shock. The YouTube thing was like a demolition ball.

"It was just overwhelming - to find TV stations camped outside your door and the phone ringing 24 hours a day. It was good. But overwhelming. It was too big for anyone to handle."

Boyle checked into a hospital soon after the talent show ended, as she suffered from exhaustion and overall fame fatigue.

In Harper Bazaar, however, she appears to be doing better than ever. Just look at the made over singer below, clad in outfits created by designers such as Michael Kors and J.Crew:

President Barack Obama addresses the nation in a press conference tonight, explaining why he thinks we need a universal health care system.

But this is only the evening's second most important program.

For the first time since her life-changing performance, and subsequent breakdown, on Britain's Got Talent, Susan Boyle speaks out about her recent experiences.

In an interview with Meredith Vieira, the Scottish singer sports a short, red-shaded hair style and says her sudden fame’s “impact is a lot like a demolition ball.” Watch a preview below:

She may still have difficulty singing on back-to-back nights, but Susan Boyle is doing well in the recording studio.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell told People last week that the Britain's Got Talent finalist has completed one song for her debut album. How did it go?

"She sounds fantastic on record," Cowell said. "She's so good, the album is not just going to be show tunes."

We can't wait for Boyle's new album... but we're gonna have to.

Following the singer's problems with hospitalization, stress and exhaustion, Cowell said he's going slow with her: "We're going to take our time with this [CD]."

As for other Susan Boyle news, we're sad to report that she will NOT be appearing on Ugly Betty. Too bad.

Susan Boyle is on the verge of conquering the singing universe.

Might the acting world be next?

According to various sources, the Britain's Got Talent sensation will guest star on a fall episode of Ugly Betty. She'd play herself on the ABC hit.

“Susan has been bombarded with offers of work in America, but this is something she is really keen on and we hope to make happen,” an insider told Great Britain's The Sun.

A spokesperson for the Scottish singer won't confirm or deny the story, simply saying: “Susan has many offers on the table. At the moment she is looking forward to recording her album.”

Perhaps we can help Boyle and ABC reach an agreement, though. What do you think? Aren't Susan Boyle and Betty Suarez too perfect of a match? Doesn't this need to happen?