So "unknown" Susan has previously made a record.... Just like "unknown" Paul Potts had actually appeared in several semi-pro productions and done workshops with Pavarotti.

As for there being no marketing involved, Alan, p-l-e-a-s-e. There were more editorial decisions to build the ecstatic hype in that few minutes of broadcast television than in the coming of the ObamaMessiah. The show is owned by Cowell. He has a history of short term promotion of unconventional looks for a quick buck (think Michelle McManus... Paul Potts... Susan Boyle...). The woman sang well. I wish her every success and hope she won't be spat out with the rest when her carefully stage-managed 15 minutes is up.