In this file photo, Susan Boyle star of 'Britain's Got Talent' returns to her home in West Lothian. The singer made her U.S. debut on the season finale of "America's Got Talent" to a standing ovation. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
The 48-year old Susan Boyle from Scotland had finished as runner-up in this year's "Britain's Got Talent" after stunning viewers and becoming an Internet and YouTube sensation almost overnight for her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables."
Boyle, who has never been married, sang the song "Wild Horses," a single from her upcoming album "I Dreamed a Dream." Her victory has been heralded as an inspiration for talented singers. The Los Angeles Times, commenting on her debut, noted that her performance "inspired many by pursuing her dream of becoming a professional in a field, entertainment, that mostly rewards the young and the beautiful."
Kevin Skinner, Kentucky Farmer, Wins 'America's Got Talent' Finale
Susan Boyle may have stolen the thunder, but Kevin Skinner, a chicken farmer from Mayfield, Kentucky, won the show and took NBC's $1 million grand prize. He was also awarded the top spot at a Las Vegas show as part of his win.Kevin Skinner got the most audience votes for the season finale, coming up ahead of second place winner Barbara Padilla and eight others.
More than half of the 10 finalists were singers. Among the other talented people that Kevin Skinner nudged out were opera singer from Houston, Barbara Padilla, and a vocalist from California, Lawrence Beamen.
A teary-eyed Skinner, gushed as he talked about his win after the results were announced, "I've always loved to perform," he said.
The 35-year-old singer is reported to have been playing the guitar since he was 12 years old, and has been a fan of "America's Got Talent" since it first started.
The season finale of "America's Got Talent" also featured several stars, such as performers Leona Lewis, Rascal Flatts, and Shakira.
