"SuBo in Priory" (Susan Boyle breakdown)

[targetpractice]

Source: The Sun

Show aides had contacted police to say she was acting strangely at her London hotel.

Paramedics helped the "spaced-out" star through the lobby and into an ambulance just after 6pm.

A Met Police Inspector and a police doctor were called to assist. The ambulance, tailed by a police car, then took her to the Priory in Southgate, North London.

A source at the hotel said last night: "She'd been at the hotel for a few days, but since Saturday's final had been acting strangely, causing a bit of a stir.

"The staff were concerned - something wasn't right.

"When the paramedics and police arrived she agreed to go voluntarily. She didn't make a fuss. The paramedics calmly took her out through the main lobby and into the waiting ambulance.

"It was all done very calmly. They didn't want to stress or upset her. She didn't look well - she looked lost, not all there."

A source at the clinic said last night: "I was having a cigarette break when a whole load of ambulances arrived.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/britain_got_talent/2458062/Susan-Boyle-checks-into-The-Priory-Britains-Got-Talent.html

---

The Priory is an acute care mental health clinic in London.

I debated putting this in LBN, because of the inevitable flack from the Susan Boyle contrarians...

Susan Boyle's story is wonderful and tragic, and I hope we all learn something about society and ourselves from it.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Susan Boyle.

[tabatha]

2. Considering the source, I wonder how true that is.

[UndertheOcean]

4. Yeah , I just noticed .

[targetpractice]

10. Multiple sources confirm, including BBC. n/t

[targetpractice]

13. Seems like "voluntary commitment" according to BBC...

Police were called to a London hotel on Sunday at 1800 BST to doctors assessing a woman under the Mental Health Act, Scotland Yard confirmed.
That woman was taken voluntarily by ambulance to a clinic, they said.
At the request of doctors, police accompanied the ambulance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8076413.stm

[Captain Hilts]

16. It's the most-read story on the Beeb now. nt

[IndianaGreen]

40. Perhaps the internet nannies would prefer another source, like the BBC

or is that too foreign for you?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8076413.stm

[Sanity Claws]

3. She was under tremendous pressure

It's easy to forget that she lived her whole life in a small town and led a relatively sheltered life. All this fame and the pressure to perform got to her. I hope she gets the help she needs.

[Captain Hilts]

7. From complete obscurity to THE most-viewed Youtube clip EVER. It must be a shock. nt

[ClarkUSA]

5. Isn't The UK Sun kind of like the U.S. National Enquirer?

[UndertheOcean]

6. FoxNews mentions this too

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,523618,00.html

[GoddessOfGuinness]

28. Well there you have it.

:rofl:

[targetpractice]

8. Sun or Mirror?

I get them mixed up.

But, the National Enquirer has had some major scoops in its history.

[LeftishBrit]

59. Yes, it is.

[Karenina]

63. It may have been Sun reporters harassing her

that provoked her "meltdown." :tinfoilhat:

[glinda]

9. A difficult situation for all. Wishing her all the best and to be safe.

[emilyg]

20. I wish her the best.

[AngryAmish]

11. Susan Boyle

[DLnyc]

12. More tragic than wonderful.

They took a nice person and made a spectacle out of her in order to goose up their profits.

[Captain Hilts]

14. I think she'll be okay. If she only ever records an album of Christmas music, it will sell great

and she can live comfortably.

She's got a terrific speaking voice also. She'd be great in the controlled environment of voice for animation.

[Lisa0825]

22. That is my hope too.

When the extreme highs and lows pass, I hope that she will have some peace, some success, and some joy after it all.

[Captain Hilts]

24. I hope some folks like Elaine Paige send her a note.

I think of how Patsy Cline looked out for Loretta Lynn when Lynn first took country by storm and earned the enmity of many other female country stars, and Patsy protected her and encouraged her.

It's also a reminder of what Ringo Starr said, how it is better to be a Beatle than to be Elvis. Because when fame hit them, they at least had each other to help deal with it. They had three mates who understood what the others were going through. Boyle has no one like that around her. She's all by herself, like Elvis.

[truedelphi]

26. Her pastor or parish minister stated that

at her birth she was oxygen deprived. And he expressed concerns along the lines that she might flub up on "Britain's got Talent" because the birth injury still to this day affects her memory. He seemed to indicate that the combination of nervous tension and pressure, plus exposure to such big crowds might make it difficult for her to perform sometimes.

Anyway my hopes and prayers are that she will get through this and that she will go on, as many "Second Place" people have, to do great in the new career.

[Captain Hilts]

27. Yes, I remember reading him saying that. I'm amazed she held up so well.

I wonder how much sleep she's gotten the past month.

[LeftishBrit]

58. Agree on all this. But the way the 'celebrity culture' exploits people is fairly revolting

I hope that she's comfortably set up, and does not need to face the paparazzi any more.

[Hissyspit]

15. And people wonder why there are reality-show detractors.

[targetpractice]

17. I disagree somewhat...

I think her 7 minuted audition was indeed slickly produced, but I think its global reception took everyone by surprise... such is the nature of social media and the internet.

Her story will be analyzed for years to come... but I truly believe the Susan Boyle phenomenon was not planned. She auditioned on her own... They frumped her up a bit... feigned shock, and released the clip... It assumed a life of its own for the next six weeks.

I agree "they" are trying to profit now... but "they" are chasing after her.

[earth mom]

79. I agree. It was all hype to promote the show.

Disgusting. :puke:

[elleng]

18. Was hoping her family would see to her needs.

May be relatively simple counseling and meds, but that's easy for us here to say.

[empire we are]

19. We Are Such Suckers...

Money, money, money.
Swamy sees many more Susan Boyle breakdowns, recoveries,
a few fantastic performances and love interests to come.

[xchrom]

21. she's pretty damn spcial -- wonderful voice -- i really hope she does super. nt

[Lorien]

23. Hardly surprising. She lives a sheltered and quiet life for 47 years

then gets thrown into a media frenzy for seven weeks, culminating in a competition-which she loses. Seems like a breakdown would happen to just about anyone in the same situation. I hope that she gets the rest that she needs.

[Captain Hilts]

25. Dealing with fame by yourself is very tough. Better to be a Beatle than Elvis. nt

[flyarm]

31. when did she lose???? did i miss that? thanks..eom

[shanti]

42. they were never

going to let her win. did you see the group that won? not even close :( poor woman...

[flyarm]

45. oh i missed it!! DANGGGGGGGGG...THANKS FOR THE INFO..EOM

[alcibiades_mystery]

29. So she's a nut

Color me unsurprised.

Who doesn't have sex for 50 years? I'll tell you who. Crazy people.

[Divine Discontent]

30. You don't know her, you don't know if she's tried to have a 1 night fling & been rebuffed over &

over, or if she's been so emotionally scarred from something in her childhood that she has a hard time being comfortable around whichever gender she's attracted to, and finally - she was oxygen-deprived as an infant & this odd & special soul is going through some horrible fear right now - so I got some advice for you, would you like it, or do you think you might know what it is exactly that I and anyone else with a heart has to say to the likes of someone like yourself that would be so nasty in their comments about her?

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[targetpractice]

34. What's wrong with you?

Are you really that attention starved?

Do you really need to be acknowledged as "special" for not following the crowd?

You hate Susan Boyle? Check!

You lost your virginity by 30? Check!

You hate commercial operating systems? Look at your avatar! Check!

What are we thinking?... Thanks for setting us straight.

[cwydro]

69. Thanks for saying that.

I just didn't have the energy.

[Divine Discontent]

36. and you're a cynic that believes nothing could be real. curse & holler at me all you like

but I'm still thankful I'm who I am and not as angry, arrogantly sour, and lacking in compassion as you are showing yourself to be.

welcome to ignore (yet again I'm sure)

[Matilda]

47. Crazy, no; a little slower than others, yes.

Plus - Catholic family, poor but with seven children, says the parents were probably pretty devout, and the Catholic
Church has strict rules about sex outside marriage - a less able child is perhaps not so likely to throw that off
easily.

A little compassion wouldn't go amiss.

Edit: Correction - there were nine children - says it all.

[Coventina]

67. Wow, good thing I managed to have sex by 29

so I don't fall under your disapprobation.

:eyes:

As others have pointed out many people choose not to have sex, for a variety of reasons.

[cwydro]

70. Geez, I know. Makes you wonder if this poster

has heard of nuns, monks, priests, others who choose to live a celibate life.

All kinds on DU, I guess.

[mountainvue]

77. Thank you. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

33. Way to go, Divine Discontent. You tell 'im! nt

[Divine Discontent]

35. Hey Cptn! Thank you, good to see you.

so glad we have users on here that care about the well being of other people. I told my friend last week Susan didn't seem too well in her semi-final & was a bit unhinged. Now this, hope she learns that fame is just a facade and she's still the same sweet person she's always been. I do not understand why they didn't sequester her like they do the American Idol contestants once she became widely popular overnight.

hope you're well :hug:

divine discontent
(poster formerly known as themartyred)

[No Elephants]

60. Two reasons. It's not the format of that show and they were too busy exploiting her.

[targetpractice]

65. I do think producers were taken by surprise...

I don't think they were intentionally exploiting her, because it's hard to control or manage a viral social media phenomenon after the tipping point.

I think the BGT producers were trying to play catch up for weeks after her audition aired.

[mwooldri]

37. Ever had mental illness?

You could describe me as a nut, as I battle with what is definitely at least clinical depression and my psychologists think might be bipolar disorder. I hate that term "nut" to describe people who have mental health issues. Bit like I hate the term "fag" to describe homosexual people, or other derogatorive terms to describe women. It's demeaning and hurtful.

And as for the "not have sex for 50 years" well there are plenty of people who don't have sex by choice and are perfectly sane.

[murielm99]

51. I am glad you are getting treatment.

It is tough not to know what exactly is causing the problems, isn't it?

At one time, I thought I was bipolar.

Once in awhile, I suffer from stress-related anxiety. It has been bad enough that I have physically ill and incapacitated. I found out that I have Graves disease, a hyperactive thyroid. Once I had a name for it and was treated, things made more sense. I handle the anxiety better, too, now that my thyroid has been destroyed and I take replacement thyroid.

It is amazing what can happen to throw us off and make us into "nuts."

It makes perfect sense to me that Susan has had a meltdown. I wonder if she has a history of this. It could be that she is temperamentally fragile. There was the oxygen deprivation and birth, and the fact that she has lived a very sheltered life.

I hope it is true that she is being well taken care of, and that her career will be managed with compassion and care.

You take care of yourself, too.

[shanti]

43. wow

that's really cold...:(

[XemaSab]

48. Why are you such an asshole?

:shrug:

[No Elephants]

49. During an interview, she said she had been joking when she said that she had never been kissed. So,

I don't think we know whether she's a virgin or not. There is a saying "sweet sixteen and never been kissed." I think she just added the "and never been kissed" when she gave her age and everyone took it seriously.

[dipsydoodle]

55. That remark is in extreme bad taste.

n/t

[Raine]

57. "Different strokes for different folks"

you need to learn some tolerance, not everyone is like you ... Thank God!

[AngryOldDem]

62. Those with mental illness....

...salute your compassion.

Wow...just another example of "enlightened and progressive" thought. I thought we were beyond such perjorative terms here.

[Butch350]

80. Are you speaking from experience...

[mwooldri]

38. I hope she gets the help she needs and recovers well soon. nt

[CubicleGuy]

39. I saw the clip of her final performance

At the end, when the hosts and judges decided to have a few words with her, her reponses to their questions wasn't quite right; she wasn't really paying attention to what they were saying, and she was responding to questions that weren't asked. I think she may have flipped out a bit there at the end after the pressure was all off, but I'll bet she turns out fine after a few days.

[Matilda]

44. I noticed that too.

It was as if she'd been given a little script to memorise, and was going to say it, no matter what; perhaps because
it was expected that win or lose, she might go to pieces a bit so someone had coached her with what to say.

I hope she does make a CD, with carefully chosen songs (not a rush cash-in job), makes a million, buys a little
house and retires to live quietly with her cat.

[targetpractice]

66. Yeah...

At one point she said "To hell with everything!"... but, that was hard to hear due to applause.

I downloaded a version of the results segment and she started acting strangely after she congratulated Diversity.. She started shimmying and dancing around, and then she pulled up her dress to show her leg. One of the hosts ushered her offstage in the commotion while saying "You never know what she's gonna do next... Susan Boyle, everybody!" It was kinda funny.

[IndianaGreen]

41. BBC: Susan Boyle 'admitted to clinic'

Susan Boyle 'admitted to clinic'

Britain's Got Talent's star Susan Boyle has been admitted to a private London clinic, it is being reported.

The Sun said the Scottish singer has been admitted to the Priory clinic with exhaustion a day after she was runner-up in ITV1 talent show final.

Police were called to a London hotel on Sunday at 1800 BST to doctors assessing a woman under the Mental Health Act, Scotland Yard confirmed.

That woman was taken voluntarily by ambulance to a clinic, they said.

At the request of doctors, police accompanied the ambulance.

The Priory Clinic said: "We can neither confirm nor deny the reports."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8076413.stm

[Turborama]

46. Looks like she could be coming to America soon...

The Priory is a celebrity rehab clinic and they seem to have had some success in the past with helping stars who have had to go there for 'exhaustion'.

From the rest of The Sun's article:

A show source said: "It's very tough, Susan is emotionally drained - she gave it her all and is absolutely shattered. Simon Cowell spoke to her backstage on Saturday night and told her she had everything going for her - a record deal, an American tour. But it's up to her, she has to see what she wants. We do realise that we have a care of duty to look after her."

=snip=

Yet Chiefs at SyCo - Cowell's division of Sony BMG - have big plans for Susan.

They are this week set to take her to America, where she is already a huge star and is due to score a Sony record deal.

Offers have been coming in thick and fast for the BGT phenomenon. A string of US shows have been trying to lure SuBo as a guest and to get her to sing.

Experts reckon she could make up to £8million after selling the rights to her fairytale life story, as well as a book deal, record cash and further millions from image rights, product endorsements and TV appearances.

A Sony source said: "Susan is going to be huge - it doesn't matter in the slightest that she didn't win. We're going to look after her. Never mind the States, she's had offers from round the world." TV Simon said: "We've never had a runner-up like Susan before. She won over a lot of fans - not just with her voice, but with her graciousness. She's got a massive future."

-- --- --

Despite the backlash, Susan will rake in a fortune from:

A RECORD DEAL certain to top the £2.3million paid to Faryl Smith, the teen singer from last year's BGT. On top of that Susan will get 15 per cent of every CD sold, around £1.35 per album.

A percentage cut from a MOVIE of her amazing rags to riches life.

A BOOK of memoirs, out by Christmas, which should net her at least £500,000 alone.

Further millions from IMAGE RIGHTS, PRODUCT ENDORSEMENTS and TV APPEARANCES.

It means that tomorrow she can stop claiming her £129.64 a week benefits for the first time in 27 years. A close confidante of Cowell said after last night's defeat: "You would not believe the offers we have on the table -WIN OR LOSE-for Susan Boyle. They are all in place and ready to be signed.

"They don't care in America whether she wins a British TV show-they care about the woman they saw singing on YouTube. If anything, £8million in her first year might be an underestimate."

In an exclusive interview with the News of the World before the show, Cowell said: "Susan could become the biggest star I've discovered. It's the biggest phenomenon I've seen out of any of my shows."

From The Sun's Sunday paper (includes a video of her brother's comments about the way she's been treated): http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/335715/Susan-Boyle-Britains-Got-Talent-Singers-shock-defeat-to-Diversity-blamed-on-tirade-backlash.html

-- --- --

I was a bit worried for her when I saw her demeanour prior to the result being announced...



Video of the announcement of the result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izhh-JDigX4

[Karenina]

53. I'm just glad it's over. Wishing Susan all the best.

[No Elephants]

50. She has learning disabilities and has led a sheltered life, to say the least. Yet, she

seemed so poised and comfortable when she started getting interviews, right after her audition You Tube went viral. Apparently, though, things overwhelmed her. I think she'll be fine if she is able to take things at her own pace and the frickin' papparazzi give her some space.

On edit: I hope someone prepares her for the fickleness of the public, too. It can be dang hard when you get to be the world's darling, and a day and a half later (it seems), people have moved on and have no further interest in you

[dipsydoodle]

52. Do you also refer

to the USA's private clinics, Betty Ford Etc, as used by your celebrities for drying out and drug problems as "acute care mental health" clinics or did you just google Priory to come up with that. Priory units , to the best of my knowledge , are normally only used for rehab by pop and tv /film stars for the reasons mentioned above and I have no recollection of them being used other much than that. Kate Moss's ex Pete Doherty used one last year whatever.

Most likely background to this is that Simon Cowell arranged it to be of help to her even if only for partly selfish reasons.

[eilen]

61. Maybe its the only place she can get some privacy, nt

[targetpractice]

64. That's how "The Priory" describes itself.

I lifted that term from "The Priory Group" web site...

The Priory Group is Europe's leading independent provider of acute mental health services, secure and step-down services, specialist education, complex care and neuro-rehabilitation services, working in partnership with the public and independent sectors.

http://www.priorygroup.com/pg.asp?p=home

I've read that Susan Boyle does not drink, so I did not jump to the conclusion that she's in for rehab like you did. If you actually look at their web site (like I did before I posted)... you will see that The Priory offers a range of mental health services... even offering help for folks with Asperger's Syndrome (something Susan may have). They are not "only used for rehap by pop and tv/film stars" as you claim.

[dipsydoodle]

71. Mental health is a group term

for a variety of afflictions for want of a better term. I didn't imagine for one minute she was on anything. The only time the Priory ever gets mentioned in our news is for rehab as mentioned. They are not hardly NHS hospitals - they are very private clinics.

[targetpractice]

72. I apologize...

...for my cranky tone when I replied to you. I just reread my post. :-(

I was probably being overly sensitive, because I'm surprised at how many Susan Boyle detractors crash threads about her. I displaced some of my frustration in your direction. I'm sorry. :-)

[dipsydoodle]

75. Not a problem.

I'm pleased you like her : I think she's great and should've won.

:hi:

btw I think you you'll this to be the very first DU post on Susan. I put it in music appreciation because I didn't want to risk it being moved to the lounge. : http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=293x1330

[dipsydoodle]

54. Later BBC News

On Sunday, it emerged Boyle was taking time off on the advice of a doctor.

Television company TalkbackThames released a statement: "Following Saturday night's show, Susan is exhausted and emotionally drained.

"She has been seen by her private GP who supports her decision to take a few days out for rest and recovery."

"We offer her our ongoing support and wish her a speedy recovery."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8076413.stm

[CJCRANE]

56. I'm checking into the Priory

due to Susan Boyle fatigue.









:hide:

[Honeycombe8]

68. I hope it's not true. A nice lady with a load of talent who has been through a lot

lately, incl. mounds of criticism about what she looks like.

[raccoon]

73. Lucky for her she lives in a country that has a national health plan.

I wish her a quick recovery. All this attention so suddenly would be a strain on anybody.

[musiclawyer]

74. Unrelated but in a similar category,

didn't the lead songwriter of XTC crack during a performance and walk offstage never to appear again because of stage fright? Anyone recall the details?

[OneBlueSky]

76. there are many examples of artists cracking under the pressure of fame . . .

one of the most well known is Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, who left the group in 1968 and lived the rest of his life in seclusion . . .

others just drop out for their own reasons . . . John Deacon, the bassist of Queen, refused to take part in the tour with Paul Rodgers when the band re-formed in 1998, and even passed on their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame . . .

Susan Boyle was thrust into a situation she couldn't have possibly ever imagined, and apparently the pressure was just too much for her to handle . . . she seems like a lovely lady, and I hope that the press now leaves her alone . . . won't happen, though . . .

[time_has_come]

78. No offense, but nobody is going to learn fuck all from it. n/t

[targetpractice]

81. Ha! You are right.. I was tired when I posted that. n/t

[GeorgeGist]

82. Are you certain, you get "SuBo's" drift?