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)

Sunday 31 January

By CeCe

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

One thing this Paige person can thank Susan Boyle for, Paige has now been introduced to thousands of people who probably, like me, never heard of her. And many, like me, don't want to hear any more from her, musical or otherwise!

By jdcapshew

Vote down Vote up Report this

Betty,
Now's a chance to find out who Elaine Paige is, a bonafide major talent, who has succeeded at her craft for many years. Boyle's story is inspiring, but it did kind fall in her lap out the blue.
jeff

By frances

i think sueson boyle is doing just great ,like to hear more of her in the future ,good going girl .

Thursday 28 January

By mkb

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Elaine Who???....Oh yes Elaine Paige. What a nasty low class person Elaine sounds like. She should be thanking Susan for exposure, not bashing her. I understand what shes trying to say, but why so harsh with the words? Jealous she is.

By Kelli

Agreed. What Elaine needs to understand that if it wasn't for shows like Britain/America's Got Talent and for Youtube, people like Susan would have never been given a real chance for exposure. This is an industry which focuses too much on looks. If the person have a marketable look, they're rarely even given an audition. Susan may have helped open the door just a little more for people who don't have model looks or a size 0.

By Katie

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Elaine Page is a massively popular star in the world of theatre. She's known for her roles on stage, while Susan Boyle was popularized on television and internet, which are more accessible, more pedestrian mediums.
Also, if you actually read the quote, you can tell she's not saying these things meanly.
Honestly, people will do anything to tarnish a person's reputation.
And quite frankly, I've listened to Boyle's cd, and it feels repetitive and monotonous. Elaine Page has a much more dynamic voice, and if people like you knew who the hell she was, you wouldn't leap to Boyle's defense so quickly.

By priscilla

totally amazed and disappointed for susan..to learn her idol is so shallow..sorry susan, don't even let her slow you down..just because she is a jealous person does not mean it has to affect you...like some others i never heard of this elaine paige person before susan 'made her famous'......you go susan..you just spread your wings and fly girl....

By Randy

This old has been is jealous because she Susan can sing better than her!

By Rothie

Sounds like a big case of envy, Susan is A STAR.

By dcdeb

I never understood the need of some people to just be mean. Whatever happened to if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. I wish Elaine Page had stuck to that motto

By Teddy C

Oh, so Elaine Paige is a b*tch. Learn something knew every day.

By Bettya

What is with these so-called stars?? To begrudge a person like Susan her success reflects very badly on Elaine Paige's nature. Bitter, much?

By Carol

What a jealous witch. Had never even heard of Elaine Paige until Susan said her name on audition. You have a wonderful voice Susan and I hope you put out another CD

By Sarah

I had no idea who Elaine Page was until Susan Boyle mentioned her name. For Elaine Page to talk about OUR Susan Boyle is confirmation that she is jealous. Susan Boyle, we love you, keep doing what you do gurl!!!

True; it has been a whirlwind indeed for Susan, and Paige should be grateful to Susan for taking her along for the ride, and introducing her to a whole new group of listeners who previously might never have heard of Elaine Paige.

Instead, she begrudges Susan her success and looks down her nose at her. Elaine Paige, you're a CRASS act.

By tprea12

Crass act? well so are most of the posters in here.

By virginia

Elaine who......Poor Susan shows how naieve and innocent she might be idollising a entitled unkind diva biotch...elaine who???? The world has heard of Susan but not Elaine lol I would take that singing virus any day hope all Brits boycot Elaine...

By kay

Paige how unprofessional of you!!! Like most posts here, I never heard of you until Susan mentioned her admiration for you. Ungrateful, you should be ashamed.

By PEPPA

SO PISSED OFF AT SUSAN !
JEALOUS THAT SUSAN MADE IT SO QUICK, I'D SAY !
NOT VERY CLASSY OF PAIGE ,

By Tricia

Elaine who? I think someone's just a bit jealous. Oh, and by the way Miss Whoever-You-Are, Miss Boyle's now sold well over 7 million records world wide in 2 months.

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