Susan Boyle

British singer Susan Boyle displays a copy of her CD, at the front door of her house in Blackburn, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 28, 2009. She will find out Sunday whether her album has reached number one in the album charts.

Fashionistas may cringe at Susan Boyle, but music fans adore her. Here she sings "Wild Horses" and "Cry Me a River" during her appearance on the NBC's "Today" show in Rockefeller Center Plaza. The 2009 runner-up in "Britain's Got Talent" was in Manhattan to celebrate the launch of her album "I Dreamed a Dream." (Nov. 23, 2009)

Susan Boyle sings "Wild Horses" and "Cry Me a River" during her appearance on the NBC's "Today" show. The 2009 runner-up in "Britain's Got Talent" was in Manhattan to promote her album "I Dreamed a Dream." (Nov. 23, 2009)

Singer Susan Boyle on the NBC's "Today" show Manhattan to celebrate the launch of her album. (Nov. 23, 2009)

Susan Boyle's debut album, "I Dreamed A Dream," was released Nov. 23, 2009. The Scottish native shot to fame for her singing on YouTube videos and "Britain's Got Talent," where she won the runner-up prize.

This image from YouTube shows Susan Boyle during her final performance on "Britain's Got Talent" in May 2009.

In this frame grab from YouTube, Susan Boyle gives her final performance on "Britain's Got Talent" in May 2009. She won the runner-up prize.

Fans say Susan Boyle may look homely but has a golden voice that has won them over. (May 24, 2009)

No. 4: Susan Boyle dreamed a dream
How did this happen? A British unknown upstages even the winner of "American Idol" (who was . . . who was . . .), becomes one of the most YouTubed stars in YouTube history, and gathers even greater fame and renown to the entirely immodest Simon Cowell.
Photos: Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle is shown in her hometown of Blackburn, Scotland. The plain-looking torch singer's launch to fame on "Britain's Got Talent" and YouTube has sparked debates over whether society is too quick to judge people based on appearances. (April 21, 2009)

Susan Boyle sings with a hairbrush at her home in Blackburn, Scotland. Her stardom launched after she wowed the "Britain's Got Talent" judges, who included Simon Cowell, who is known to often offer scathing feedback. (April 16, 2009)