An Associated Press story has said that Susan Boyle checked into a hospital today, suffering from exhaustion.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_britain_boyle
She ended up finishing second in the “Britain’s Got Talent” competition, to a youth dance troupe with (not shockingly) a lot of talent. Susan was considered the favorite going in, but did not win the final vote like so many thought that she would. You can watch both of their performances below:
Susan seems to be a bit more cautious at the beginning. There is a sense that the pressure of the spotlight has effected her some. I’m glad that she is resting up in a hospital bed now, getting a much needed rest, before finding out what the next step of the journey is for her.
It seems there are very few people who can thrive under the pressure of the spotlight on them at all times, and not crack in some way. Tom Cruise jumps makes presumptuous comments on postpartum depression and jumps on couches. Brad Pitt has an affair. Mel Gibson goes on a alcohol fueled rant against Jews. I’ve even noticed this pattern on my own blog with my recent thoughts on Jonathan Brandis and Jon Gosselin. Is this a result of the pressure of media scrutiny? Is it an unfortunate side effect of success? Or is is just what happens to each of us in our lives, just in varying degrees?
I’m going to lean towards the idea that it happens to all of us, just in varying degrees. I have to wonder what I would do in such situations, and if I would even want such attention that I sometimes long for. Last night, after working on editing a video for three hours, I closed my window without saving the project, and lost everything. I felt like I could cry. But, undeterred, I resiliently started over, not wanting the last three hours to have been in vain. About 2 hours into this, I did it again. Five hours gone, nothing to show for it, but a sad face and a desire to break something. If there was a cameraman in my face, I’m sure that I would have not been able to appear “professional” for him or her. I even snapped at my own mother, whom I asked for help, because she asked me the “wrong” question.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why we (or myself) like certain people and not others. Is it because of what they do, or who they are? For good or bad, it seems to be both. Susan Boyle, whoever you or whatever you do… enjoy your rest.
