What Happened to Susan Boyle: From Her Affair with an American Doctor to Losing Her Voice

Susan Boyle’s life changed dramatically in 2009 when her performance on “Britain’s Got Talent” catapulted her to global fame. Her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables captivated audiences worldwide.

That week, Boyle was the most talked-about subject on Twitter. Even Hollywood actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore joined the conversation, expressing their admiration for her talent.

Even without a presence on Facebook or any knowledge of Twitter, Boyle unexpectedly became the focus of a global media frenzy. Media personnel and TV teams from across the globe flocked to her quaint hometown of Blackburn in West Lothian. She received invitations to grace esteemed television programs such as “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Larry King Live.”

Early Stardom and Challenges

Nonetheless, the sudden rise to stardom took a toll on Boyle. Shortly after her last appearance on the show, she was hospitalized for psychiatric care. Despite her health struggles, Boyle stayed true to her aspiration of pursuing a career in singing. Her popularity even earned her an invitation to the White House for the July Fourth festivities.

She was determined to attend the event and dreamt of performing for President Barack Obama. However, doctors at the Priory clinic, where she was being treated, were reluctant to release her.

The chief medical officer emphasized the necessity for a prolonged treatment period. He stated that the singer had been evaluated under the Mental Health Act. Therefore she would be subject in his words, to “a certain level of personal risk.”

Boyle’s older brother John acknowledged her exhaustion, stating, “She has gone from a small town to being famous around the world. She’s been battered non-stop for the last seven weeks and it has taken its toll.”

Her other brother Gerry concurred that their younger sister had found coping with the sudden fame challenging. “She was a wee bit anxious yesterday and a bit fatigued. She’s also a wee bit homesick and she misses her cat,” he added. Gerry further revealed that Boyle was coming to terms with the reality that people wanted to hear her sing.

Diagnosis with Asperger’s Syndrome

Susan Boyle is the youngest among nine children. At birth, she experienced oxygen deprivation, leading to learning disabilities. Misdiagnosed as having brain damage, she carried this label for most of her life. However, it never deterred her from pursuing her passion for music.

After her rise to fame, people around her began noticing peculiar shifts in her mood. On one occasion, her team observed her jovial demeanor suddenly transform into irritation. Her mood change was characterized by hunched shoulders, a slumped head, and a glaring stare. This change was so abrupt and startling that it left those around her bewildered.

Anyone would have mistaken Boyle’s mood swings as a result of a willful temper. However, it was a medical condition that she was able to identify as Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism. Before her 2012 diagnosis, her behavior was attributed to the brain damage she was believed to have suffered at birth.

During an interview, Boyle shared her strategies for managing her condition. She disclosed that it never occurred while performing on stage, but occurred frequently offstage. However, since understanding what her condition was, she had learned how to deal with it. “If I feel I’m going to take a mood swing, I get up and leave,” she said.

She confessed to feeling panic, depression, and a sense of not wanting to be present. She would then isolate herself until she felt better. Boyle was often bullied during childhood for being “different,” earning the nickname “Susie Simple.”

Boyle has dealt with depression and mood swings and recognizes her need for support. She conceded that she lacks strength and depends on the support of those around her. She frequently resorted to humor to alleviate tension, making funny faces, crossing her eyes, or uttering amusing remarks.

Asperger’s affects social interaction and communication skills. People who have it often feel flustered and panic for no apparent reason. The condition hinders the ability to form relationships and gauge appropriate behavior in different social contexts. Living with this condition can be debilitating, causing many sufferers to avoid social contact and become isolated.

Boyle sought a diagnosis from a Scottish specialist on her own accord, fearing she had a more serious illness. Despite the anxiety associated with Asperger’s, Boyle coped well with a series of tests that revealed she has an above-average IQ.

Personal Milestones

At 53, Boyle experienced a significant change in her personal life when she entered her first relationship. Before her audition that shot her to fame, Boyle was unemployed. She had never been in a relationship and had never been kissed. She used to live alone with her cat, Pebbles. However, she met an American doctor, during a 2014 US tour.

They were staying in the same hotel when they met. They shared a romantic dinner, and Boyle described him as a perfect gentleman around her age. It was early days, but Boyle was hopeful about the relationship. Boyle revealed that he was planning to visit her in West Lothian.

Facing and Overcoming Health Issues

Boyle’s fame is not only for her extraordinary singing talent but also for her solitary personal life. In June 2023, she returned to the stage where she first gained global fame, “Britain’s Got Talent.” She was privileged to perform the song that brought her to fame with the original singer Les Misérables.

This performance was particularly special for her because she had suffered a stroke in April 2022. She revealed in an Instagram post that she had spent the previous year working hard to recover her speech and singing abilities. She was determined to go back to singing on stage.

In a 2019 conversation, Boyle revealed she was surprised that she was still active in the industry after a decade. She admitted that fame was a strange concept and was never her motivator. Despite initial fears that her fame would disappear as quickly as it began, she continued to thrive in the industry.

Her 2009 debut brought her not only fame but also financial prosperity. This enabled Boyle to construct a luxurious residence. Intriguingly, she opted to return to her late mother Bridget’s terraced council house in Blackburn, believing it would keep her grounded.

Boyle shared a special bond with Bridget, who passed away just prior to Boyle’s ascent to fame. She credited her success to her mother, to whom she had vowed to make something of her life.

In October 2021, she offered OK! magazine a home tour. The residence boasted a grand piano, which she was still learning to play, and a newly renovated kitchen. Her home exuded a traditional ambiance with dark wood finishes and grey decor, mirroring her down-to-earth personality despite her international fame.

Boyle just celebrated her 63rd birthday on April 1, 2014. She has gone through many challenges and has overcome them with her extraordinary talent and resilience. Boyle has made a significant impact on the music industry and garnered admiration and support from people worldwide.

Internet users have shown their love for the singing sensation. They have praised her talent and humility. Comments like “Remarkable talent, remarkable lady,” and “So down to earth Susan….I love it…. All the very best for 2024” highlight the admiration fans have for her.

One fan even shared a personal encounter with Boyle at a charity event, emphasizing her approachable and humorous nature. Boyle has achieved a remarkable feat, joining the ranks of The Monkees and The Beatles. She became the first woman to top the UK and US album charts twice in the same year.