Elaine Paige Claims that 'Susan Boyle is a Virus'

Elaine Paige had some choice words for international singing sensation and former duet partner Susan Boyle this week according the the UK Daily Mail. Paige, who is famous for her performances in EVITA and CATS in the West End, stated that "[Boyle] was like a virus really that spread across the world in a nanosecond."

Paige elaborated on her statement, claiming that "she is a girl with no experience of anything to do with theatrics, the music business, or art in any way" and that she doesn't "particularly feel any pride for her - I'm sure she is proud of what she has done."

Elaine Paige also commented on the show that made Susan Boyle a star in the first place - Britain's Got Talent. Paige stated that "Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor just take a bunch of people from real life who think they can sing and try and turn them into overnight 'stars' with a couple of songs" and that this is "not entertainment."

Despite Paige's harsh statements, she does give Boyle credit for how she has handled her rapid rise to fame. Paige asserted, "when I started, YouTube didn't exist but even then with 15 years of experience prior to my success with Evita it was difficult, so I admire the way she handled her sudden success."

Click here to read the full article.

Elaine Paige has starred in numerous West End productions and on Broadway and in concert internationally, sweeping to fame when she created her award winning performance as Eva Peron in EVITA. Shortly afterwards she created the role of Grizabella in the original production of CATS and the classic song Memory became one of Elaine's many hit records. Further theatre productions: HAIR, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, GREASE, BILLY, CHESS (with her record breaking number one hit I Know Him So Well with Barbara Dickson), ANYTHING GOES, PIAF, SUNSET BOULEVARD in London and Broadway, THE KING AND I, SWEENEY TODD (New York City Opera). She has worked twice with Sir Peter Hall's Theatre Company in THE MISANTHROPE and Feydeau's WHERE THERE'S A WILL.

Paige returned to the West End stage in 2007 to critical acclaim in the title role of "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Novello Theatre, London for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance in What's On Stage Awards, London. As well as performing in Europe and in the USA in concert she has recently recorded a track with 'Secret Garden', 'The Things You Are You To Me' for their new number one quadruple-platinum selling album.