another one year projectThis year we follow the words of Oprah Winfrey

Susan Boyle is on the wildest ride of her life. Last year she went from total obscurity- she worked as a volunteer in a church in Scotland- to become  an international singing sensation, virtually overnight. In 2009, in  three minutes on British TV, Susan reminded us to not judge a book by its cover. Raised in Blackburn,  a  small town in Scotland, Susan was deprived of oxygen at birth- her parents were told not to expect much from their youngest of nine children. She had a slight disability and found making friends hard. She couldn’t trust anyone and people made fun of her. Singing was her only solace. All she wanted to do was sing but when her mother died in 2007, Susan lost her will to sing. She said that she knew her mother wanted her to do something with her life, she just didn’t know it was the TV show until she saw it. Susan found the courage to interview for Britain’s Got Talent.

Simon Cowell said hitting the chorus changed Susan’s life forever. Piers Morgan was flabbergasted.  They gave her three yesses. Her new album, I Dreamed a Dream has been on the number 1 spot for 6 weeks in a row. It is the biggest female debut of all time. A member of the audience, a British Susan, a 40+ lady cries. She says Susan inspires us to keep going, inspires all the the 40+ Susans to hit their best spots. Tera says she’s such a positive force, that when she hears Susan’s voice, her heart beats faster because it touches her so deeply. Susan comes onstage and sings a song off her new album. The crowd go wild, Oprah says it’s fantastic.

Oprah sits down with Susan Boyle. Oprah recounts the story of Susan’s success- 120 million hits on You Tube, the most watched video of 2009, her album has sold 8 million copies to date. January 21st 2009 was when she did the first audition. Before the audition, she had a mundane, routine life. But after she got recognised in the street, and she was taken more seriously as a professional singer. Oprah asks if she likes her new look better, now that she has people doing her hair and her makeup and her earings and someone steaming her dress earlier that day? Susan says she likes her new look, says she scrubs up well and looks more professional. Susan says she is an example that dreams can come true. When she didn’t win Britain’s Got Talent, there was a huge upset. Her friend says Susan couldn’t cope with the paparazzi, after she’d been the favorite to win for the entire season. Susan spent 3 days in The Priory. She hadn’t eaten or slept for over a week; she had total exhaustion. She says it’s a chapter in her life that is over now- she gets on with her life. She finds it amazing and humbling that so many people have taken the time and spent the money on her album. Susan does her little dance, her “Boyle wiggle”. She speaks of how she feels her mother’s presence right in the room. Her mother is the one that keeps her going. Oprah thanks Susan and tells us all to dream our dreams.

Please welcome Adam Lambert. He of course is going to sing later, but first- what a difference a year makes. Week after week, millions tuned in to American Idol to see Adam Lambert rocking unlike anything we had seen before. Growing up in San Diego, Adam learned that music was his speciality. Years of musical training set him up for professional success. Last May he came in second on American Idol, but you’d never know it. People magazine voted him the sexiest rocker of the year. He landed the cover of Rolling Stone where he confirmed that he is indeed gay.

In November a sexually charged performance on the  American Music Awards sent shockwaves through the country, resulting in a cancellation of several TV appearances. Grabbing himself and kissing another man upset a lot of people. Adam says he would do the same again, but he would sing it better and do it in the dress rehearsal. He says he sat with it, and he understands why people took offence. The boys on the leashes was set, the kissing and grabbing was not planned. Oprah asked if something came over him and he decided to just kiss someone. He said he got taken over by the risky/ risque lyrics.

His life is surreal. A year ago he was doing musicals, singing in 8 shows a week. He was bored, he “kinda asked for something to happen” to change it. Oprah interrupts to ask about positive affirmation, about taking action and manifesting dreams, and asks who he asked for change. He says the universe. How did he ask? By positive projection. He didn’t expect it to be this huge- the universe came through for him. Oprah says she always says you dream the dream, you surrender it to God/ the universe and God can dream a bigger dream than you can dream, if you’re pure in the dream itself. She asks what he imagined. He says he asked for something to happen. He imagined it, visualised it. He auditioned for American Idol, but never thought he’d win. He got choked up when Simon called him a star. His biggest concern was that he was left of center- mixed with his theater background, he’s glad they took a chance on him.

He speaks about the media speculation about his sexuality. They wonder if there was ever any doubt? Adam says that photos of his ex and him kissing came out just before the show came out, and he was asked what he wanted to do by the American Idol staff. He said he wanted to own his behaviour but not be labelled by it. He didn’t want to be just the gay guy- which he says he is now. Oprah says he is known as the rocker Adam Lambert, not the gay part. Adam says he is often referred to as “Gay singer Adam Lambert” in the press. He hopes to be firstly the singer, not the gay part. The gay label does not define him. Oprah says that his openness should pave the way for others to be exactly as they are.

This time last year, most people had never heard the name Adam Lambert- here’s a glimpse inside his new life. Years before, he performed at Pantages in Hollywood in the musical ensemble in Wicked. The biggest change is the fact that he is recognized everywhere. He is financially stable and doing what he loves. He helped his mom out and rents a house, which he loves. He says he eats and shops, that’s his life. On Melrose Place he shops at a rocker store. The paparazzi are interesting- sometimes they are mellow, and  sometimes very  competitive which can be a little intense. The possibilities for his life are endless- maybe a film in the future, maybe more theater, more singing.

He had a realisation a couple of summers ago that he is living the life he is meant to live- he believes we are all meant to do something with our lives, and he is here to entertain us. Singing is what he does. He met Madonna for 5 minutes, he was super-starstruck, his heart was racing. He had a great conversation- his guitar player is Madonna’s guitar teacher. So he went over to the house, Madonna came in wearing yoga wear and no makeup. Adam had on a  suit and tie. Madonna’s presence is very intense, she was checking him out. He says his first words were “Oh my God!” and then apologised and said he feels intimated because he loves her. Madonna asked if love for him equals intimidation. Oprah says that is very Madonna. They talked about celebrity- she said he should keep his eye on the prize and not be sidetracked. He should put his blinkers on.

His new year resolution is to live in the moment more and enjoy himself. Oprah asks if he’s experienced those moments where he feels lonely despite his success. He says yes, it can be lonely because his life is so hectic and crazy. When you’re finally alone, you really are alone. They agree that if they need to be “off”, they have to be at home. Oprah says she loves that he wants to be in the moment and enjoy it. He says there was a time when he was beating himself up about perfromanceas and appearances. But he has to have fun and live in the presence.

15 year old Jessica and her mom say they are Adam’s biggest fans. Filmed backstage last night, Adam says he has a big surprise for them. Upstairs, Sue and Jessica think they are here to be interviewed about their favorite star. During American Idol, they juggled 4 phones between them to vote for him. They start to sing one of his songs, and he comes up behind them singing the refrain. The mom leaps out her chair, they all hug. He has a suprise for them- 2 backstage passes for a private VIP soundcheck. Oprah says Adam is as delightful as she knew he would be. Sue and Jessica introduce Adam’s new song, Oprah and the crowd sing and dance. After the performance, Oprah hugs him and holds his hand.

Oprah asks what it feels like to perform like that- he says there is an adrenaline rush; it feels like everything is in synch. Oprah asks what he thinks of Simon’s resignation from American Idol. He says Simon will be missed- the honest criticism is essential. It makes people up their game. He believes Simon has excellent criticism generally, although he doesn’t like country music, for example. Adam believes ultimately we watch American Idol for the participants. They are both excited about Ellen, they will miss Paula, who brought the positive side to the show. Adam says that as a society we are obsessed by the negative, but as a performer the positive criticism is really important for your own growth and self-worth.

Thanks Adam, everyone in the audience is going home with Susan’s and Adam’s CD.

WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover

If you dream hard enough, your dreams will come true

Dream big and your possibilities are endless

Live in the moment and learn to enjoy it there

When you’re finally alone, you really are alone

A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:

Dream big, surrender your dream to God, he can dream bigger dreams for you, if your dreams are pure