Report: Susan Boyle Seeks Mental Help After 'Britain's Got Talent' Loss
Stress of losing "Britain's Got Talent" may have bested the Scottish singer.
June 1, 2009 — -- It seems Susan Boyle didn't have the right stuff after all.
The Scottish singer who captured the world's attention when she first performed on "Britain's Got Talent" in April is reportedly seeking treatment after failing to clinch the trophy in the U.K. reality competition over the weekend.
According to The Sun newspaper, Boyle was admitted to the Priory Clinic Sunday. The facility's Web site describes it as a provider of "acute mental health services."
The television company talkbackThames, which produces "Britain's Got Talent," said the 48-year-old singer was "exhausted and emotionally drained" and was taking a few days off.
"She has been seen by her private GP who supports her decision to take a few days out for rest and recovery," the company said. "We offer her our ongoing support and wish her a speedy recovery."
Saturday, Millions of Brits decided Boyle didn't deserve the top prize on "Britain's Got Talent."
In a post-show vote by fans, Boyle was bested by the 11-person street dance group Diversity, which performed a high-energy dance number that got the crowd and the country roaring.
Boyle fell back on familiar territory, performing "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables."
In April, Boyle's rendition of the same song made her an overnight global sensation. Tens of millions of people online watched the spectacle of the 48-year-old singer appearing out of place and unlikely to impress the judges or the audience, her attire frumpy, her haircut no-nonsense. Instead, she shocked the world by belting out the show tune favorite and commanding the stage.
Her unexpected performance got her on "Oprah" and "Larry King Live," and even won her accolades from London stage veterans like Elaine Paige and Hollywood power couple Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.
Diversity, from the suburban county of Essex, east of London, performed flawlessly. Their performance, a mix of break dancing and choreographed artistry, brought the judges and the crowd to their feet.
Judge Amanda Holden, a television host, told the group, "You have left me speechless. I think you've blown Flawless [another street dancing troupe in tonight's final] out of the water."
The crowd mostly cheered, but loud boos could be heard from supporters of other performers.
Simon Cowell, the notably ascerbic judge on "Britain's Got Talent" and the U.S. performance show "American Idol," gave a definitive blessing.
"All bets are off," he said. "This is the only performance tonight I would give a 10 to."
He called the choreography "sheer and utter perfection."
Talent agent Dane Millard said Diversity may have profited by the fact that it was the second-to-last act. However, Millard says of all the acts, "theirs was the best of the evening.
"Diversity had inventiveness, wit, energy and flawless execution," Millard said. "I could see them on tour soon and/or doing support dancing for any talent in the world."