It's been almost ten years since Britain's Got Talent revealed a woman who seemed at first glance out of place at such a competition. Despite her first impression, the world soon changed its tune when Susan Boyle became a fan favorite and internet sensation thanks to an incredible voice. Now, Boyle's back on television for America's Got Talent: The Champions, and she's floored the judges and audiences all over again with a show-stopping rendition of "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones.
There's no bones about it, the road to winning America's Got Talent: The Champions' is going to travel through Susan Boyle. The competitor was awarded the first Golden Buzzer of the competition via Mel B, who was thanked by Simon Cowell, who had been present for her debut back in the U.K. Boyle is now officially in the finals and will get a chance to become one of the franchise's most decorated competitors of all time.
It's hard to dispute Susan Boyle has already achieved great things, as she's become a successful musical artist in the time since the world first heard her voice back in 2009. Despite that, Susan Boyle only placed runner-up in Season 3, so a victory in America's Got Talent: The Champions would present some closure to losing the competition all those years back. At least, it would for Boyle's critics, as the singer already views herself as a champion in another way. Here's how she puts it:
A champion for those who, maybe, don't have the confidence to do things, for those that don't have a voice, the ones who people tend to ignore. I feel I'm a champion for them.
Even though she's already a successful singer, it's hard not to rally behind Susan Boyle's positive outlook and humble attitude on America's Got Talent: The Champions. Boyle was gracious in accepting compliments for her performance as though she hasn't heard the same praise and adoration countless times before over the years. We've still got a long way to go before this competition is complete, but it really does feel as though the winner has already arrived.
It's also really easy to get behind Susan Boyle considering how far she's come since her debut. Fans may think they remembered the dishevelled-looking Scot before her transformation, but memory doesn't really do it justice. Terry Crews drove home how monumental of a change Boyle has undergone throughout the years with a side by side comparison on his social media:
Susan Boyle was joined by Preacher Lawson at the end of the episode, as the stand-up comedian was voted into the finals by America's Got Talent superfans from all 50 states. Both still have a long road to travel before this competition is over, and a winner is crowned from what's being pegged the "Olympics of Talent." Unlike past seasons of America's Got Talent, this competition is solely comprised of champions and finalists of past competitions both domestic and worldwide.
America's Got Talent: The Champions rolls on at NBC Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET. For a look at all things coming to television in the near future, visit our midseason premiere guide.
