TresSugar

Anderson Cooper Rips Into Heidi Montag, New Backstreet Boys, and the World's Largest Tomato Fight!

Molly — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:07:16 -0700

Anderson Cooper has some harsh things to say about Heidi Montag's Miss Universe performance! Plus, check out the scene at the world's largest annual food fight in Spain. The Backstreet Boys have a new video - they're jumping on the vampire bandwagon, but wait a second, haven't we seen that before? Check out all that and more on today's PopSugar Rush!

What's Up With the Susan Boyle Obsession?

TresSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0700

The gifted Susan Boyle came into our lives thanks to Simon Cowell and YouTube. The unconventional star of Britain's Got Talent made us overlook her gray hair and dowdy clothes with her beautiful voice. Everyone seemed genuinely impressed with her talents and a little intrigued by her unlikely appearance.

But now that we've made Susan a star, it's time to bring her down. After losing the talent show, Susan's suffered a breakdown! And she's off to rehab. (For exhaustion?)

The recent stories about Susan don't praise her voice; instead they mock her personal life. Today, there's a story out about how Susan cried out for her cat, "flapping her arms like a confused child" and apparently screaming "Where's Pebbles?" OK, we get it. Susan is 48 and not married. She's a crazy cat lady.

Do you think Susan's vocal talents can propel her to a successful career based on her music, or will the public treat her as some sort of freak?

Source

The Setup of Susan Boyle

TresSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Yesterday the New York Times rounded up sociologists, anthropologists, and other -gist types to explain the science behind our love affair with singing sensation Susan Boyle. Why did we fall so hard? Because we didn't expect it.

The more I read, the more annoyed I became. It lists stereotypes that Susan challenged: unattractive women are not engaging; age stereotypes are harder to change than racial; people who try to be accepted and fail breed contempt; preconceived notions are disregarded until contradictions are too striking to ignore; and discrepancies of stereotypes create instant arousal. They release dopamine and make us happy. It made me happy the first time! Why so angry now? To find out, read more.

Because it's become so apparent that these stereotypes were used in the making of Susan Boyle. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if a similar group of social scientists were consulted to ensure her debut was dramatic and its YouTube clip viral.

From Simon Cowell's sneers of doubt - as if he hadn't heard her sing in a prescreening - to the perfectly cut shots of audience-member eye rolls, the orchestration was as pitch perfect as her voice. I would even wager that Boyle's wag of her hips, her claim that she'd never been kissed (which she later retracted), and the walk off stage before the judges could respond were all part of her performance.

New York Post columnist Maureen Callahan called it a week ago when she wrote this:

The clip itself, suspiciously ready-made for online consumption: A seven-minute movie, slick and pithy in its perfect execution of the underdog narrative. . . . There is the classic David vs. Goliath subplot, the primal satisfaction of seeing the bully (Cowell) slain by such a seemingly inferior force. And there is the profound desire for this entire thing to be authentic, which in and of itself suggests that it probably isn't.

Since the show aired, Susan has said yes to Oprah, been on morning and late-night shows, and now her life will be turned into a movie. She had a makeover. And, she'll probably get a record deal signed by dear, old (older than her!) Simon himself.

Source

Susan Boyle: Never Been Kissed . . .

TresSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

. . . but touched by the singing angels. When Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle of Blackburn, Scotland, recently sauntered onto the stage in front of the terrifying panel of judges and the snarky-faced audience, she looked like someone's cute but dowdy aunt.

It didn't help the audience's perception of her that underneath her name were two words that together painted a grim picture of her life: 47, unemployed. (Why not add "spinster" while you're at it, guys?)

But Susan's transporting voice stunned even the usually poker-faced Simon, and the other judge, Piers, was visibly choking up and beaming from her heavenly voice. As for the skeptical audience? They could not stop roaring with approval. It turns out that Susan, who admitted backstage before her performance that she'd never been kissed, had dedicated the performance to her mother who recently died. Here's the cheeky and wonderful Susan on The Early Show, but if you really want to see her in action, watch her full performance after the break. Go, Susan! I bet you can't watch it without choking up! So read more.

Are We Blushing, Simon Cowell?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Simon Cowell received a surprise phone call from an old flame this past week on American Idol. When he was a young player many moons ago, 9-year-old Simon locked lips with a gal named Tara Miller. Girlfriend phoned into the show this week to see if our formidable judge found her performance that day "forgettable" or not. Meanwhile, Seacrest seized the opportunity to ask Tara, "Is Simon a good kisser?"

Paula's Superbowl Performance Gets Judged

GiggleSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If you haven't heard, Paula Abdul was part of the Superbowl festivities this past Sunday. The ex-princess of pop gave a pre-game comeback show and debuted her new single, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow." The whole shebang was typical Paula - nothing new - but the real question is: what did Simon Scowl think? Could girlfriend be the next American Idol?

Alexis Cohen: the Next American Psycho?

GiggleSugar — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0800

American Idol makes my job too easy. The season only started and has already served up a bountiful crop of fresh nut jobs and loony berries to give us a good laugh. I thought no one could top the rhyming serial killer, but alas- we meet Alexis Cohen. She gave the audition her best, fell short, got upset, and announced that she was gonna leave with her dignity. More or less.

Do, Dump, or Marry?

DearSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

The seventh season of American Idol premiered last night and Simon Cowell showed off his new svelte bod to millions. Even though I don't usually tune in until they've whittled down contestants to the top 24, it's never too early to get my Simon fix. I'm well aware that he's disliked by most, but I happen to think he's incredibly sexy. Sure the accent has a lot to do with it, but I always get a kick out of his ruthless feedback and smug commentary. I know I'm probably alone in saying that I'd do him, but let me just throw it out there anyway. Would you want to do, dump or marry Simon Cowell?

Source

Can't Sing? Neither Can She.

GiggleSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:00:00 -0700

Shows like "The X-Factor" and "American Idol" really bring to light just how many delusional people there are out there. I'm truly amazed by all of the talentless contestants who come out of the woodwork to showcase their lack of touch with reality. Take the following woman. Someone needs to tell her that a high-pitched drone in no way counts as high-quality singing. Excuse me now, while I go tend to this earache.

Pouting Teenager Thinks She Can Sing

GiggleSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:00:00 -0700

But she can't sing and the judges on "The X-Factor" had no problem telling her so. Ironically, this was after she finished butchering that Christina Aguilera song. You know, the song with the lyrics that plead, "Don't you bring me down today..." Whoops. So much for that request.