Susan Boyle's Idol Gets Nasty, Calls Her a 'Virus'

By PopEater Staff Posted Jan 28th 2010 07:00AM

Susan Boyle has always always professed a deep love for songstress Elaine Paige, with whom she shared the stage last year as they sang Paige's hit 'I Know Him So Well' together. It seems that the adoration is a bit one-sided though, as Paige has fired back at Boyle's rise to stardom and what it took to get there. "'Britain's Got Talent' and 'The X Factor' just take a bunch of people from real life who think they can sing and try and turn them into overnight "stars" with a couple of songs ... Ha ha. It's not entertainment,'" Paige said following an awards show.

According to Britain's Daily Mail, Paige spoke about Boyle's career at the South Bank Awards. When asked about Boyle's rise to stardom and the fact that the internet phenom often cites her as her key influence, Paige said: "I don't particularly feel any pride for her - I'm sure she is proud of what she has done."

Paige and Boyle Duet

Paige said that Boyle "was like a virus really that spread across the world in a nanosecond," saying that her rise to fame via YouTube and the Web doesn't mean she's cut out for showbiz.

"She is a girl with no experience of anything to do with theatrics, the music business, or art in any way ... She has done terribly well to be a major star overnight with YouTube," Paige is quoted as saying.

Terribly well indeed. Boyle's debut album 'I Dreamed a Dream' is the fastest selling female debut album ever, selling more than three million copies worldwide.

When asked about Boyle's longevity in the music industry, Paige chuckled and said that Boyle "is a major star because of YouTube. Longevity is gained through knowledge, experience and effort, so it will remain to be seen."

Still, it wasn't all harsh words aimed at Boyle. Paige says that "when I started, YouTube didn't exist but even then with 15 years of experience prior to my success with Evita it was difficult, so I admire the way she handled her sudden success."

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Susan Boyle Snapshots

Susan Boyle is seen here belting out a note during a performance on the German singing show 'Das Supertalent.' Click for More SuBo Pics >>>

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Susan Boyle Snapshots

British singer Susan Boyle poses for photographers upon arriving at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Susan Boyle Snapshots

British singer Susan Boyle poses for photographers upon arriving at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Susan Boyle Snapshots

British singer Susan Boyle greets fans upon arriving at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Susan Boyle Snapshots

British singer Susan Boyle greets fans upon arriving at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Susan Boyle Snapshots

British singer Susan Boyle greets fans upon arriving at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Susan Boyle Snapshots

British singer Susan Boyle poses for photographers upon arriving at Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Susan Boyle Snapshots

Singer Susan Boyle arrives at Narita International Airport on December 29, 2009 in Narita, Chiba, Japan. Susan Boyle Arrives At Narita International Airport In Japan Narita International Airport Narita, Japan December 29, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (59201377), contact WireImage.com

Susan Boyle Snapshots

Singer Susan Boyle arrives at Narita International Airport on December 29, 2009 in Narita, Chiba, Japan. Susan Boyle Arrives In Japan Narita, Japan December 29, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (59201349), contact WireImage.com

Susan Boyle Snapshots

Scottish singer Susan Boyle is all smiles as she receives a flower bouquet upon her arrival at the Narita International Airport in Narita city in Chiba prefecture on December 29, 2009. Boyle, a breakout star of British TV show in April, will sing a song as a guest on the music show on New Year's Eve in Japan. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)

Susan Boyle Snapshots

Tags: elaine paige, ElainePaige, susan boyle, SusanBoyle

Comments

(448)

Thursday 28 January

By Betty

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Well I didin't even know who this Paige woman was, until Susan Boyle. Congrats to Susan Boyle for making Elaine Paige a household name here in the states! I really think that MzPaige must me viral jealous of her......ya I do! Why would she say these things, cause she sang the song better then her!

By alk

"That" has a name and it is jealousy and envy.....all her effort and experience and no body knows her and Susan is way much better than her

By imlizzybe

I so agree, no purchasing any of paiges music for me, I thought Susan was much better and paige tried to drown her out, what a jealous bit@#.

By Smitha

Same thoughts here. I was also thinking the same thing When Ms. Susan told about Elaine Page. Who is this Elaine Page? I liked Susan's rendition of I dreamed a dream. I liked her humble nature and politeness.May God bless her. Sometimes these artists don't understand that we the audience are the ones who decide that who is a great entertainer.Even my 5 year old son knows about Susan Boyle.I guess she is just jealous that there are more opportunities for talented people now than before.

By gsaintl

You're so right...I didn't know who this woman was before Susan Boyle mentioned her by name! I feel so bad for Ms. Boyle, knowing that HER idol is such a jealous, callous cow! Ms. Boyle will get the last laugh, though, when Ms. Paige lives to see her flourish!!

By Sue

This has been denied by EP on her facebook page. As an active member of Susan's fansite webpage I can tell you that Daily Mail has been putting everything anti-Boyle out they can think of lately, and they are the villain here not Elaine Paige.

Saturday 30 January

By Jeanette

Well said Betty. My first thought while reading this article was I had never even heard the name Elaine Paige until I saw the Susan Boyle youtube video! Sounds like sour grapes to me...

Sunday 31 January

By Vito

You lost all my respect Elaine maybe get a life and start treating others the way you think you should be treated. You are rude and if Susan isnt your cup of tea, then say nothing. God hates ugly and you sure showed your ugly jealous side today.

By Tprea

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I do not begrudge Susan's rise to "stardom" but I have heard of Elaine Paige long before I ever heard of Susan. Elaine Paige is the better singer.

By Mary Ann

I agree with you 100%, and like you, I had never heard of this Paige woman.....sour grapes for sure. Too bad huh!

By Jen Cass

You are darn right Elaine is jealous!!!! Susan is heads and tails more talanted then Elaine. Wow, envy is a destructive quality!

By moudsie

Yes, yes, yes--Susan Boyle is terrific -- I've seen Elaine Paige on TV and it seemed she was trying to act younger and throw herself at the male singer -- she needs to get over herself -- Susan Boyle is 100 times the singer Elaine Paige thinks she is and with a bit of training, she can take the stage away from her!

By Merrily

I thought the same thing Betty. It sounds like a huge case of "SOUR GRAPES" to me. I, like you, hadn't heard much about Elaine Paige before Susan Boyle mentioned her name. I thought the duet was lovely and if Elaine feels that way, she should have refused to do it. I think it is bad form to criticize another musician. I've never heard of anything like this. It makes Elaine sound ignorant. Anyone on a given day can surpass you in your own field. The proper thing would have been to encourage Susan and that would have been so much better for Elaine. Tsk Tsk Elaine.

By Ed Artigue

AMEN!!!.....so funny....I have a degree in music...opera stuff...then got into folk, rock and roll, and bluegrass....never dug "musical theater"...tho I know some of it is great (like seeing Les Mis)...never heard of Elain Paige....and like millions....saw Susan sing "I dreamed a dream"....my hair stood on end!!! sooo....youtubed this Elaine Paige she idolized...O M G!!! Knew in an instant there would be backlash from her....WHY? MY GOD SHE SINGS IT WAAAAYYY BETTER THAN PAIGE!! SMOOOOTH...LIKE BUTTER!! I don't belittle all the work Ms Paige gave herself to...but the green-eyed monster is getting to her!!!

By Pat

Like you Betty, I had never heard of Elaine Paige until Susan spoke of her. She's just bitter because Susan's probably made more money from her one CD than Paige has done in her life.

By SandyB

Elaine Paige is wrong. Susan Boyle used to sing with a bank in Ireland when she was younger. Then she abandoned her musical career to stay home to take care of her mother while she was sick. Now through a twist of fate she has gotten back to show business. She has a positively great voice.

By Sherry

Betty I agree with you. This is Susan Boyle's idol, this woman i've never heard of and for her to say such hurtful things, things are moving faster in this age of "technology" ..I can't imagine Susan reading what she idolized in this woman saying about her.. Wasn't she ever told if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all? Good Lord get over it!!

By Andi

The British have never really seemed very fond of one of their own but someone I have doubts she actually said that, they seem to have tried to sensationalize everything about Susan. Shame.

By Gary

Elaine Page should just PISS OFF, if you watch the video you see that when Elaine goes to hit a high note her head juts up as if she is singing to the ceiling. When Susan does her head is straight on, looking at the audiance that is the sign of a pro!!!

Monday 01 February

By Ingrid

I agree! Susan Boyle is magnificent. I cannot believe that a woman... Paige whoever (elaine) could be so classless when she is supposed to be extremely talented and tasteful. I say she is a moron and is totally jealous that there is someone who actually (with NO experience) sings BETTER than her! I watched the video. Go SUSAN!!! I support you and LOVE your voice. You are too good to share the stage with such a lowlife as Elaine........

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