In the contest she finished second, but on the charts she’s No. 1.
Susan Boyle’s debut record I Dreamed A Dream entered the British album chart in the top spot on Sunday. The 48-year-old Scottish songstress famously finished second on Britain’s Got Talent, but the variety show launched a career that has seen her win success on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Official Charts Company, which tracks music sales in Britain, said more than 410,000 copies of I Dreamed a Dream have been sold since its release on Nov. 23, making it the fastest selling album so far this year and they are the largest first-week sales for a debut album in UK chart history.
Millions of people have seen an online clip of Boyle auditioning for the judges. Wearing a somewhat dowdy frock and with a halo of untidy hair, Boyle told judge and producer Simon Cowell that her dream was to be a professional singer.
“I’ve never been given the chance before, but here’s hoping it’ll change,” she said.
She sang I Dreamed a Dream, from Les Miserables, and her soaring vocals earned a smile and raised eyebrows from Cowell — and a standing ovation from the audience.
“In Britain’s Got Talent she opened her mouth and the world fell in love with her, which is why her album has been the fastest selling of any woman making her debut,” Cowell said. “She’s amazing.”
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