Britain’s Got What?

Susan Boyle, a Scottish woman who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, opened her mouth and began singing, shocking Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan, respective judges on American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Why? Boyle is a dowdy looking, middle-aged woman with the voice of an angel. She is overweight and had extremely bushy eyebrows. The media and the public have made no bones about her not fitting an image consistent with her voice. Since all the media fury over her appearance, she has subjected herself to a mini makeover, plucking her unibrow and updating her wardrobe.

Is it fair for the media to focus on her appearance rather than the lovely voice she emits? Does the media go too far in requiring that potential stars fit a Hollywood image of tanned and toned? Look at Barbra Streisand. She has managed to overcome attention to her unsightly nose and has often been referred to as “beautiful.” What about Courtney Love? She fixed herself up for the Oscars when she appeared on the red carpet for playing Althea Flynt in The People vs. Larry Flynt. Since then, Love has attempted to fit a Hollywood profile, losing an inordinate amount of weight and appearing in tabloids with mocking headlines.

The irony of all this is that male stars are not subjected to the same scrutiny as females. If a male star is deficient in the looks department, the media will comment on the talent he displays and play down the fact that he is not suitably handsome. Look at Jamie Foxx. He is not classically good-looking, but he managed to receive an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles. The well-deserved award was given to him based on his talent and no mention was made of his looks. And, Billy Bob Thornton managed to marry one of the most beautiful women in the world, Angelina Jolie.

We the public should demand more sensitivity from the media when appearances are all they focus on. All of us carry some hidden talent and it is not fair when our outward appearance becomes the focus of such scrutiny.