Susan Boyle’s Makeover Highly Scrutinized in the Media

It’s been just days since Scottish Susan Boyle wowed audiences worldwide with her rendering of “I Dream a Dream” on “Britain’s Got Talent,” but the first effects of overnight stardom are already beginning to be noticeable. Now stalked by the paparazzi who have camped outside her home, Susan has undergone a subtle makeover as regards her appearance as well – and, understandably, it has not failed to make headlines all around the world.

She was initially labeled the “hairy angel” because of her rather common appearance and the voice that moved even panel judge Simon Cowell, known for his obstinacy in not being easily impressed. When the first media outlets began to contact her after YouTube videos of her singing went over the 100-million threshold, Boyle said she would never change because she was famous. Since she has already done that (minor improvements, which include having her eyebrows plucked, her hair cut and dyed and buying new, more hip clothes), the media is again all over her.

“In a 90-minute makeover in a salon near her home in Blackburn, West Lothian, Boyle had her frizzled grey hair dyed and styled to wavy auburn. She also had eyebrows plucked and had new additions to her wardrobe, such as a print dress and leather jacket. […] British tabloids have gone into a frenzy over the makeover, with front-page splashes suggesting her smoother face could be the result of Botox injections. But some fans were concerned the makeover could change the ‘Hairy Angel’ into another bland reality TV beauty.” The New Zeeland Herald writes.

The L.A. Times also notices all the changes, but refrains from passing a negative judgment on them in any way, saying that the former churchgoer simply looks better than before. “Gone is her matronly gray frizzy hair and those bushy brows, frumpy frock and old lady pearls. Now she has freshly dyed and styled reddish brown locks and newly shaped eyebrows. She definitely does look hipper and younger. And we like the black leather jacket, khaki pants and Burberry muffler. Not what we would have expected to see her wearing AT ALL.” the publication writes.

However, the L.A. Times also echoes the same sentiment as fans in regard to the lengths Boyle could go to with the “improvements.” “Let’s hope she stops here and doesn’t head for the tanning booth or the gym. Or worse, to the dermatologist for some Botox and filler.” a recent piece in the publication stresses.