The lady from Britain's Got Talent

Ok. I'm only going to say this once, so listen up, and listen up well!

Yes, the woman has an amazing voice. And, no, she is NOT the stereotypical look of the regular pop music success. But that does NOT make her unusual. It makes her just like every other normal person who loves to sing, and wishes he/she could do more with their voice. But, because looks are everything in the entertainment business, they are unable to do anything more than sing in church, at family and friends' weddings, and gather a following at their local karaoke venue.

Case in point: the 90s music group called "Black Box". Their hit "Strike It Up" featured the vocal powerhouse Martha Wash. She may be best known as half of "Two Tons of Fun", which later became "The Weather Girls". And we all (ahem) know what they are famous for singing. (Cue "It's Raining Men dance montage).

The song was a HUGE hit. The video played a seemingly endless loop on MTV. And here is where we come to the teeny tiny little difference between the vocal tracks and the ensuing videos and concert performances. The videos showed Ms. Wash's parts being lip synched by a skinny, "picture friendly" model/singer. No big deal, people do that all the time on videos. Didn't Cindy Crawford "sing" on a Chris Isaak video?

But in the case of "Strike It Up", the model was listed as the singer. She was given credit for singing with Martha Wash's voice! Why did this happen? Well..let's look at Ms. Wash. Think back to her previous group. Two Tons of Fun. Hmmm. A plus sized woman. In her early 40s. Versus a model, in her 20s at the oldest. Nope, can't see why they would think Ms. Wash wouldn't be a hit, can you?

By the way, Ms. Wash subsequently sued Black Box for full credit on several songs, and won. The videos still show the skinny chick. Fair, isn't it?

And before any of my dear friends think that this whole thing was written just because I am a plus sized, frustrated singer who wishes she could have done more...well..you're right. But so am I. Think how many more Susan Boyles there are in this world, with voices like angels, who can't do more than entertain drunks in cheesy karaoke bars, but wish for just one chance..just one..to show the world that they too can bring people to tears, with just the sound of a voice. But instead, the world gets the oh so underwhelming voices of the Britney Spears and manufactured boy bands brought together simply by the way they look together. So no, Susan Boyles is NOT unusual. She is NOT different. But she IS amazing. And for that, I applaud her.

Edited to add: I KNOW! I KNOW! Bitter, party of one! But that's the way I feel, and this is MY blog. So there! giggle