What people are responding to is that unlike Barack Obama and the Hollywood crowd that loves him, Miss Boyle is not in love with herself, yet her talent surpasses so many.
American Idol is not about talent. It is about a marketable pop star package, aimed at the 12-30 demographic. It is brilliant in concept, in that the producers have made the difficult and very expensive part of manufacturing a star into something immensely profitable for themselves.
Colwell and company will make millions off Susan Boyle, too. But this time, they simply provided a venue and the world recognized talent in the first audition, sans all marketing and packaging.
I have known a few Scots. I think Susan is a stubborn lady who will stay true to herself. Her talent is now known to the world and she will have producers fighting to showcase her, even if she is on contract to the show for some period of time. At some point, she will realize that she is the product and hopefully, will be able to produce herself once this contract expires. My advice to Simon, et al: be very honest and very nice to Ms. Boyle. She doesn't need you.