Jacksonville-bound singing sensation Susan Boyle is living her dream

Before her appearance on the television show "Britain's Got Talent" on April 11, 2009, Susan Boyle was an anonymous 48-year-old Scot whose public performing career has consisted mostly of singing in her local Catholic church.

Given her thick brogue and ordinary appearance, the audience apparently wasn't expecting much, with one eye-rolling teenager captured on camera seeming to speak for everyone. Then Boyle began to sing "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Miserables" in her clear, powerful mezzo soprano voice. In that instant her life changed.

"I came from obscurity to being a celebrity in one moment," Boyle said from her home in Scotland during an interview last summer.

Her debut album, "I Dreamed a Dream," recorded within weeks of her sensational television appearance, quickly became the United Kingdom's best-selling debut album of all time. As of last year, she had sold over 19 million copies of her first five albums and received two Grammy nominations.

Now Boyle has a new album, "Hope," and has embarked on a 21-city tour, her first tour of America.

Today she will bring the tour, which began Oct. 9 in San Diego, to Jacksonville for an appearance in the Moran Theater of The Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

Boyle understands the power of her story. Her talent was always there but she was shy, not attractive and didn't know how to dress.

Before "Britain's Got Talent," "I was never given a chance," she said.

"I know what they were thinking, but why should it matter as long as I can sing?" she told the Sunday Times. "It's not a beauty contest."

Now she has broken through with audiences, who judge her on the beauty of her singing voice, not on her appearance. Life is good.

"I love touring," Boyle said. "I like making records. Life couldn't be better."