Boylewatch IV
Published on Monday 27th April, 2.11pm, Written by Jonathan Dudley
Allow me to open with a second-rate pun. This Susan Boyle business has reached boyleing point. I know, I’m terrible, but hey, so is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the internet’s favourite singer.
1:24 Girl - The internet's latest lightning rod
To the right of this paragraph you can see a picture of a not unattractive young lady. This smirking lass is the now infamous “1:24 Girl”, aka “eye-rolling tween”. Some of you may recognise her as the unfortunate person whose initial response to Susan Boyle walking on stage was actually recorded. This poor purple-shirted girl is now the subject of an online hate campaign because of her mild sneering.
Before we go on, let’s be honest with ourselves. We all did it, when Ms Boyle walked onstage we all sniggered, when she said she wanted to be like Elaine Paige we all scoffed. The only difference between us and 1:24 Girl is that she had a camera in her face. Had the camera crew been in my living room to record MY initial response I assure you they’d have captured something far less kind than a roll of the eyes.
People’s vicious attacks on 1:24 girl have really summed up so-called Boylemania for me. One comment on YouTube reads: “By the way, anybody else feel like punching the chick at 1:24 in the face?”
What the hell? Has the world gone mad? At first, this whole Susan Boyle thing was a charming underdog story but in just a few days it’s mutated into a monstrosity.
This blog began as a way to keep tabs on a plucky Scots woman as she won a talent competition. Now it’s a litany of ridiculousness; movies of Boyle’s life story, mentions in South Park within days, every aspect of her grooming and wardrobe scrutinised, predictions of number one albums before she’s even sung another song. It’s absurd, it’s saccharine and it’s oh SO contrived.
I’m sorry to say it, but this Boyle needs lancing.
1:24 girl made me think this whole thing was staged. Or that she was cringing at something else. Because anyone who could be that obnoxious in public, and on the television no less, over an unfortunately dressed spinster should indeed be punched in the face.
But then again I think most of the whole episode seemed exceptionally emotional to the point of fake.
I’d like to meet Susan Boyle and 1:24 girl and then make them kiss.
I hate the 1:24 goil. MUST DESTROY HER…SOON…
I admit I had a very hostile reaction to the 1:24 girl when I saw the video. But yes, I’m sure everyone in the audience – and the judges – was reacting the same way as she did. Simon Cowell rolled his eyes, too, and no one’s calling for his head. If I’d been there, no doubt I would have been rolling my eyes and saying “Yeah right.” when Susan Boyle expressed her dream of being a successful professional singer like Elaine Paige. This girl did nothing wrong, nor even anything different from everyone else. She just had the misfortune to be the one person in the audience they photographed at that moment. Leave her alone.
The most gracious thing that came out of the whole 1:24 girl deal is from Susan Boyle herself. She said To leave the poor girl alone, everyone was doing the same thing, she just was the one who got caught on tape. Piers Morgan was even more unkind, with his “Sure you are” when Susan told them what she would be singing.