Susan Boyle Opens Up About Her Difficult Past, Reveals Learning Disability
With her debut album being released later this month, Susan Boyle has been doing her best talking to the media and trying to get publicity.
But this latest interview is out of the norm as SuBo opens up about her painful past of being bullied and living with a learning disability.
Susan reveals about her school days:
“You’re looking at someone who would get the belt every day. ‘Will you Shut up, Susan!’ – whack!
I was often left behind at school because of one thing or another. I was a slow learner. I’m just I’m a wee bit slower at picking things up than other people. So you get left behind in a system that just wants to rush on, you know? That was what I felt was happening to me.
There’s nothing worse than another person having power over you by bullying you and you not knowing how to get rid of that thing.
There was discipline for the sake of discipline back then. But it’s all very different now. I think teachers are taught to understand children with learning disabilities a lot better.”
Susan also added that she spent many years taking care of her elderly parents. Her father passed away in the 1990s and her mother back in 2007, which left SuBo "devastated."
She reveals:
“After mum died it didn’t fully register until maybe six months after. That’s when the loneliness set in and there was nobody around except my cat Pebbles. When you lose someone as powerful as your mum you feel as if a part of you is taken away and that does things to your confidence.
My confidence was pretty down at that time. A good way of levelling it out, I found, was to tell myself that even though she’s not here physically, mentally and spiritually she is.
That’s what keeps you going. I have my faith, which is the backbone of who I am, really.”
Though things are looking up for Boyle as she admits she's a changed person.
Adding, “I had a slight disability, but rather than let that rule my life I had to find my abilities and make the most of them instead.”
Poor SuBo.
[Image via WENN.]
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Reading this only reminds me what a cruel and spoiled b@*ch Sharon Osborne is to have insulted this poor woman.
Ya gotta hand it to her.. at least she didn't stick her head in the oven
She's an inspiration. And a lesson to everyone not to judge others on their looks or intellect. Amazing voice too.
Wonder if this makes Sharon Osbourne feel like a big pile of crap for making fun of her.
What a sweet lady. Bet her Mum is proud looking down!
Hope the Media gives her some love.
I'm so glad she's had her chance to shine! What a star x
I AM SO GLAD PEOPLE ARE MENTIONING SHARON OSBORNE AND HOW CRUEL, RUTHLESS, BULLYING, HARASSING, INSULTING, BELITTLING, DEGRADING SHE WAS TO SUSAN BOYLE. HAD SOMEONE BEEN DOING THIS TO SHARON'S CHILDREN GD FORBID SHARON WOULD HAVE LOST IT. HOWEVER, WHAT MAKES SHARON OSBORNE THINK THIS IS OKAY BEHAVIOUR BECAUSE SHE IS ATTACKING AN INNOCENT ADULT. DON'T WE TEACH OUR YOUNG THAT WE ALL LOOK DIFFERENT AND TO NEVER TEASE OR BE UNKIND TO SOMEONE WHO ISN'T NECESSARILY A BEAUTY QUEEN.
THE MOMENT I SAW SHARON ACTING THIS WAY I INSTANTLY LOST INTEREST IN HER AS A PERSON. SHE TOOK ON A NEW MEANING TO WHO SHE REALLY IS AND WHAT HER COLOURS REALLY ARE LIKE. I LOST RESPECT FOR SHARON AND THE RADIO STAFF THAT THINK MAKING FUN OF SOMEONE IS OKAY. YA KNOW, SHARON, YOU REALLY SHOULD BE SHAMED INTO MUCH REGRET AND TAKE A STEP BACKWARDS TO UNDERSTAND WHY ON EARTH YOU WOULD DEGRADE AN INNOCENT PERSON TO HUMOUR RADIO. THE STAFF HAVE NO CLASS EITHER, HOWEVER THEY GET TO HIDE BEHIND THEIR "MIKES" ALL DAY AND NO ONE SEES WHAT THESE PEOPLE ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE. TO ANYONE WHO EVER THINKS THIS IS OKAY AND FUNNY, IT ISN'T. MS OSBORNE, I DON'T THINK ANY APOLOGY CAN EVER BE ACCEPTED BECAUSE YOU UNFORTUNATELY WERE DOING WHAT YOU DO BEST, YOU SHOWED YOUR TRUE SELF.
THE PERSON WHO REALLY IS BEAUTIFUL IS SUSAN BOYLE FOR BEING AN ADORABLE FIGURE WHO IS BLESSED TO HAVE MADE IT IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS.
I'LL FOREVER BAN ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH SHARON OSBORNE AND HER FAMILY. MAYBE NEXT TIME YOU CAN GET TO THE REAL ISSUE, WHICH IS YOUR INNER UNHAPPINESS, NOT MAKING FUN OF SOMEONE BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE ISSUES.
Sharon Osbourne is a loud mouth opinionated a-hole. Susan is an inspiration…she doesn't give up.
Wow - that's more than a little hypocritical of you, Mario, to pity SuBo for being bullied when you yourself bully people on a daily basis. A particularly egregious example is the incident last week when you humiliated that teenage special needs girl for choosing to sing and post a song that was inspirational to her. That was despicable and emblematic of how you behave generally. It may not be too late for you to change…
Hmmm— Sharon Osborne—feeling like the big Alpha Bitch you are yet?
Re: zach swan – It's too late…
WHO CARES ABOUT THIS FAT UGLY BRITISH NOBODY?
Disability HA! like thats a big surprise!!
First let me say I love Susan Boyle, watched her audition vid a million times and am very very happy for her success.
That being said, this article doesn't make it clear that she actually has a learning disability. Of course there could be more to it than was mentioned.
Being a slow learner does not = learning disabled. Learning disabilities are medical conditions with specific symptoms. Having a slow learning curve, and/or being on the lower end of the intelligence spectrum is not a medical condition. Nor is it anything to be ashamed of - I think a lot of people would trade a few extra IQ points for a voice like that.
I say this not to insult Susan but only because overuse of the LD label makes it harder for kids with real LDs to be taken seriously.
Oh and BTW I care for my grandparents and I admire her for that. Caregiving isn't easy.
WHAT A WONDERFUL WOMAN. What an inspiration. I am so happy she is getting all she is due. I absolutely love her and support her.
And "Poor Susan" is typical antagonistic Perez Hilton remark. How about 'POOR" Perez—who will always be thought of as FAT, no mater how much weight he loses, will never be a star due to total lack of talent and looks and who THINKS Dita Von Teese and Lady Gaga REALLY like him. Yes, POOR indeed.
So glad Susan did not give up, and is now enjoying recognition and success.
I love her even more ..
Susan, you are an amazing woman to be able to be so truthful and honest about your challenges. I love your music. I am very glad you finally have gotten the attention you deserve. God bless.
Re: Peachalicious –
Actually, in previous interviews of her family/friends, etc., it's become clear that Susan Boyle does have a disability - she was deprived of oxygen at birth which left brain damage. There are specific symptoms and she was diagnosed as a child.
Her IQ is reportedly above average …
I always heard people making stupid comments about Susan Boyle not being a real singer and I didn't understand why. She's amazing!! and even if she was a terrible singer, she hasn't done anything to anybody. People are so cruel. Learning disability or not, I always admired her. I remember watching her audition and crying. It was touching.
Re: obbie doobie! –
You are an unkind person. I'm sorry for you. But regardless, Susan Boyle didn't just "reveal" her disability as suggested by Perez's title. It was discussed openly during Britain's Got Talent, starting weeks before the final show. Following the show, the British state board that oversees television programs (they have a more state-controlled system than the US), began an investigation to determine whether the show adequately supported Susan, because of her disability. She's spoken often about the need for people with "hidden disabilities" to be supported but primarily to be encouraged to succeed.
She's not "poor", I think she is a real human being and she proves that we can get by our weaknesses and still advance in life.
… but who is laughing now!!! EH Susan … think she showed them a thing or two!!! I feel for her, truely. I was picked on unmercefully too. Hope she has the joy she so deserves.
Poor SuBo, my ass! She's not feeling sorry for herself, and I admire her honesty!
She's on her way to finding happiness I can feel it. Interesting when you find it late in life rather than early. Who wants to peak in high school? I'm glad I didn't.
She seems to have a very positive attitude about her life and I really like that… and her voice is amazing. I think she's wonderful and I hope she continues to do well.
She is wonderfully courageous. I am sure her mum is so proud of her, from heaven
Sharon Osborne!! Can't wait till karma comes knocking on your front door. Besides, look at the contrast between Susan's upbringing & Kelly's. My point? What is Kelly's excuse?
Learning disabled is a strong term. She needed help in learning a different way. I love Susan and am glad that she is shining before she got too old. I will buy her CD and play it proudly. I love her.
You have a beautiful voice Susan!
I wish you all the best!
You mean you couldn't look at her and tell she was retarded?? It's hilariously obvious… and she DOES look like a slapped ass!
By the way, Mario, can you please post the Carrie Prejean videos and photos?? Some of us want to masturbate while she masturbates!
are you only JUST hearing about this perez??????? weve known since she was on BGT…..ur site is really really going downhill man.
Re: FactsOnly – Thanks for the info, and for not being all flame-y about it.
aww. i was bullied badly too. bullies should be tortured very painfully. i hate them.