Susan Boyle From Darling To Dragon Lady

Susan Boyle is now being accused of a four-letter outburst after Piers Morgan praised another contestant on Britain’s Got Talent.

The Scottish singer was said to have stunned a room full of hotel guests when she reacted with anger after the judge told Shaheen Jafargholi his had been 'the best singing performance we have heard in the semi-finals so far'.

Boyle is alleged to have reacted to Morgan’s praise for the 12-year-old by sticking two fingers up at a television and shouting 'f*** off', before stomping off to her room.

Apparently her outburst was witnessed by about 150 guests at the Wembley Plaza Hotel, with one claiming: 'Everyone was stunned by her reaction.'  The allegation are being denied.  A spokesperson said, "Susan was in the bar with friends but was getting hassled by a journalist".

Boyle, 48, is the favourite to win the talent competition, having leapt to international fame after her audition performances.

At first, she was everybody's darling. Now, the barbs are starting to fly. Is Susan Boyle a hero or a humiliation? Several singers, including Clay Aiken and Lily Allen have called her "overrated," and said that she's "not that good a singer." So my question is - what's all the fuss about.  What does all the clamor say about us?

 

We are a culture that usually roots for the "pretty" one. Since when does "plain" get sympathy? It's interesting, isn't it?

You Tube Sensation Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle, the Scottish singing sensation who last weekend stunned the judges of Britain's Got Talent TV show, is now wowing American audiences.

In her first performance on CBS's The Early Show, Boyle sang her signature song "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Miserables.

Boyle, 47, said from her home in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland, that when she was younger people made fun of her. Now, the reaction is anything but that. "Everyone wishes me very well," she says. As for the international reaction, especially online, Boyle modestly admitted, "It hasn't maybe sunk in yet."

Her entrance to Got Talent triggered snickers and patronizing comments – especially when the dowdy and slightly jumpy Boyle said she wanted to be the next Elaine Paige, a petite blonde British stage musical star – Boyle picked up the microphone and now she is an overnight sensation.

Can't wait to see Susan after her Real Cougar makeover.  Just in case you haven't seen what all the shouting is about click here.

This wonderful story proves once again that anything's possible.

Cougars In Tuxedos On The Red Carpet

The struggling economy seems to be making a difference in how some of the A-list actresses show up on The Red Carpet this year.   Now it seems you are making a statement if you decide on a simple look.

 

Harper's Bazaar editor Kristina O'Neill says, "nobody cut a tuxedo better than Yves Saint Laurent, and his passing last year brought this classic front-of-closet again."   

 

I always thought simple is better but I didn't want a financial meltdown to prove the point. What do you think of  these ensembles?   

	White against black With partner Brad Pitt suited in black, Changeling's best-actress Oscar nominee, Angelina Jolie, went for winter white with a tuxedo by Akris on the red carpet Jan. 19 for the Berlin premiere of Pitt's Oscar-nominated film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.Pitt also is up for a best-actor Oscar for his role.
	Subtle but sexy On Jan. 5, Anne Hathaway, whose work in Rachel Getting Married has earned her an Oscar nomination, showed up in a modified tuxedo from Boy by Band of Outsiders at the New York premiere of Bride Wars.
	Easy elegance "It's after the holidays, and I didn't want to wear anything strapless and that I had to suck in my stomach for," said Katherine Heigl, who wore a black suit by Dolce & Gabbana Jan. 7 at the People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles, where her film 27 Dresses picked up a best-comedy-film trophy.
	A vision in velvet Awards-show veteran Susan Sarandon donned a Hugo Boss tuxedo and played it cool Jan. 11 at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles, where she presented the award for best actor in a drama to Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler).
	Glowing with gold Kristin Scott Thomas, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in I've Loved You So Long and will be seen next in Confessions of a Shopaholic, wore a vintage Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo at Sunday night's Screen Actors Guild Awards show.

Real Cougars Love A Good Laugh

This year is about to fade into the sunset.The history books will remember 2008 as "The Year of Monumental Change".  But, now it's time for new beginnings and what better way to usher in 2009 than with a good laugh. 

I read this funny piece online  - hope you enjoy it.

My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago.  It was just that quick.  I went to sleep in my body and woke up with someone else's thighs.  The new ones had the texture of cooked oatmeal.  Who would have done such a cruel thing to legs that had been mine for years?  Whose thighs were these and what happened to mine?  I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs.  Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans and Sheer Energy pantyhose.  Then, just when my guard was down, the thieves struck again.

My ass was next.  I knew it was the same gang, because they took pains to match my new rear end to the thighs they stuck me with earlier.  I couldn't believe that my new ass was attached at least three inches lower than my original.  Now, my rear complemented my legs, lump for lump.  Frantic, I prayed that long skirts would stay in fashion.

It was two years ago when I realized my arms had been switched.  One morning I was fixing my hair and I watched horrified but fascinated as the flesh of my upper arms swung to and fro with the motion of the hairbrush.  This was really getting scary.  My body was being replaced one section at a time.  How clever and fiendish.

Age?  Age had nothing to do with it.  Age is supposed to creep up, unnoticed, something like maturity.  NO, I was being attacked repeatedly and without warning.  In despair, I gave up my T-shirts.  What could they do to me next?

My poor neck suddenly disappeared faster than the Thanksgiving turkey it now resembled.  That's why I decided to tell my story.  I can't take on the medical profession by myself.  Women of the world, wake up and smell the coffee.  That really isn't plastic that those surgeons are using.

You know where they are getting those replacement parts, don't you?  The next time you suspect someone has had a face "lifted", look again.  Was it lifted from you?  I think I finally found my thighs - and I hope that Cindy Crawford paid a really good price for them!  This is not a hoax.  This is happening to women in every town every night.

P.S.  I must say that last year I thought someone had stolen my breasts.  I was lying in bed and they were gone!.  As I jumped up, I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in my armpits as I slept.  Now I keep them hidden in my waistband.

Wishing you all the best for 2009!

Naked Yoga - Let it All Hang Out!

WOW WOW WOW.  Here in New York City the craziness just keeps on coming. The newest thing here in the Big Apple is Naked Yoga.  And, as you might have already suspected Naked Yoga, unlike regular yoga classes, is attracting a lot more men.  Just picturing these guys doing the Sun Salutation au natural makes me laugh. 

This freedom centered yoga is supposed to liberate negative belief patterns and help those of us who might be overly conscious of our bodies feel more comfortable.

Yoga twists us into different shapes in order to get a different perspective on ourselves and our lives. The yoga practice is meant to move us closer to our truth and our connection with the divine. The folks who run Naked Yoga say "by removing our clothes we are forced to examine our bodies and our belief patterns. We let go more quickly of what is holding us back, and plunge more deeply into our truth and our bliss".

Nakedyoganyc.com say this practice is about accepting and revering the body as a temple in all of its shapes and sizes and honoring the divine that resides within.

So if you're tired of sweating at Bikram and are ready to let it all hang out, maybe this is your next yoga adventure.

Cougar! The Musical - How Great Is That?

Yes, it's true.  Now there's a New York Musical about Cougars. 

This is how "The Real Cougar" is described in the shows promotion. Cougars are sexy, confident women over 40 who never apologize for their success.  What they didn't say but I will, these spectacular women are really smart, independent, know what they want and how to get it.

Actress/Comedienne/Cougar Donna Moore is helping get the cat out of the bag as she educates women and men with her show Cougar!  The Musical debuting is at The West Bank Cafe's Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Dancing With The Stars - What Fun

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to start dancing.   If I could have half the fun the folks on Dancing With The Stars seemed to be having, I'm there. Watching the finals last night inspired me to start looking for dance studios this morning.  Sign me up - I'm ready to tango!

I guess it was no surprise that Marie Osmond was the first finalist to be eliminated.  I thougt she really had a good chance of winning until her dolly debacle on Monday. Her loyal fans have been keeping her going week after week, but that was too much cutesy even for them.  But winning isn't everything and Marie deserves a lot of credit.  She worked so hard, and really mastered the moves.  Did you see those flips?   Dancing helped her drop weight, get fit and ready to start yet another Osmond tour.  Her boundless energy is something we should all be shooting for.

I really thought Maria Brown deserved to walk away with the trophy.  Scary Spice won top marks from the judges with her final performance of the Mamba, but viewers were behind Brazilian racing driver Helio Castroneves, voting him into first place.  But you know what, everybody on that show is a winner just for having the guts to do it.

Dancing With The Stars: Baby Boomer's Delight

Who hasn't fantasized about floating around the dance floor like Fred and Ginger?  I suppose that's why Dancing With The Stars is such a ratings success. Isn't it interesting that so many of the contestants dancing their little hearts out are baby boomers?  Marie Osmond, Jane Seymour, Wayne Newton, too name just a few.

To read more about this TV phenomenon, catch up with the latest trends and find out what's really on the minds of baby boomers these days, visit the Blogging Boomers Carnival #44.

See you there.

Menopause - The Comedy Act

I received this from a friend yesterday and wanted you to read it too.  It should be good for a laugh or two and who couldn't use that?  

I've seen two shows lately that went on and on about how mid-life is a great time for women.  Just last week Oprah had a whole program on how great menopause will be...Puhleeeeeeeeze!.  I've had a few thoughts of my own and would like to share them with you.  Whether you are pushing 40, 50, 60 (or maybe just pushing your luck), you'll probably relate.

Rest Rooms - You've Got To Be Kidding!

What do they say, one picture is worth a thousand words. I read this hilarious piece having to do with women and public bathrooms and couldn't resist sharing it with you.   All of us have gone through exactly the same thing at one time or another.  Just another challenge we females have to overcome.

       

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied.

Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.