Less than a few weeks ago Susan Boyle was a virtual unknown. However since auditioning² for Britain’s got Talent, a televised talent competition, she has experienced a stratospheric rise to fame.

A YouTube video of her audition¹ has been watched by more than 26 million people, making it one of the most watched videos on the internet in recent times. It is undeniable that technology such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter has helped spread the word about Susan’s performance.

So just what is it about Susan that the people find so fascinating? Arguably, it is the fact she is such a class act. However, many have suggested that her biggest appeal lies in her unassuming persona.

Susan’s persona and appearance have been somewhat controversial and the initial reaction to her audition has made many people question whether they are guilty of judging a book by its cover. With her plain Jane, middle-aged³ looks and her no-nonsense approach to life, Susan is perhaps the most unlikely star to be discovered of late.

Commenting on her rise to fame, Max Clifford, a renowned⁴ PR guru said that the massive public interest in her is partly due to people having to challenge their own assumptions and prejudices.

Talking about her audition, Susan said "I expected people to be a wee bit cynical⁵." However, she must have been pleased as punch when she heard the deafening⁶ applause and saw the audience’s standing⁷ ovation⁸.

So what’s next for Susan? For the moment, she is preparing for her next appearance on Britain’s got Talent and she is the odds-on-favourite to win.

Looking forward, with talk of record contracts and celebrity⁹ duets, it is very likely that we’ll soon be seeing a Susan Boyle album in the charts.