To a point, yes, but not quite -- at least not in the conclusion.
No, it's not Broadway ready (though I have heard worse voices in Broadway-level performances) But then, she's not auditioning for a part on Broadway. She's taking part in what is essentially a national talent show. And it is a talent show that has a history of letting two kinds of people get on stage: those with real talent and those who can provide
Gong Show-style entertainment. Clearly, the producers who let her on stage knew they were getting the former, while the audience and judges expected the latter.
As a musician, I'd say that voice is only part of the performance. One can have a beautiful voice but fail to give what I'd call an "authentic" performance -- one that connects with the audience and conveys emotion and depth. She showed an amazing (I think) ability to step in front of thousands of people and do the latter very, very well.
I think a couple of things resonate with people watching the video that have made it so popular: First is the sheer courage, as my wife describes it, of going for your dreams when the cards seem stacked against you (age, looks, opinions of others, etc.) and triumphing, proving people wrong, being true to yourself -- believing in yourself even if no one else does.
Second is that for some (many?) people at least, I think it does cause some introspection. There has been some written about the popularity of the video in the British press. I liked this from
The Beauty That Matters Is Always on the Inside in The Herald (of Glasgow):
Susan is a reminder that it's time we all looked a little deeper. She has lived an obscure but important life. She has been a companionable and caring daughter. It's people like her who are the unseen glue in society; the ones who day in and day out put themselves last. They make this country civilised and they deserve acknowledgement and respect.
Susan has been forgiven her looks and been given respect because of her talent. She should always have received it because of the calibre of her character.
I'll take reminders of that, and examples of it to show my children (especially the one who receives more than his fair share of bullying), wherever and whenever I can get them.
Threaded Mode
