ABOUT allDAY

allDAY is the official TODAY blog, your virtual window to Studio 1A and the people who make America's favorite morning show come alive. Whether it's exchanging views with the anchors and contributors or going behind the scenes with the producers, editors, camera people and more, we'll bring you the buzz here at 30 Rock, and we hope you will make this a regular part of your online routine. We want this to be a conversation, so please respond with your comments and questions directly to the blog, and we'll do our best to post what you have to say.



Live from Studio 1A: Paul Potts Q and A, Britain's Talent!

Posted: Thursday, June 21, 2007 7:58 AM by Elizabeth Neumann
Filed Under:

This morning Paul Potts was on the show to celebrate his recent win on Britain's Got Talent (the British counterpart to America's Got Talent.)  WATCH VIDEO.  I caught up with him about life in the limelight, what's coming next and his wife Julie-Ann.

Q: What is your reaction to all of this attention?  Have you gotten a lot of fan mail?

Paul: Well, I haven't been home yet, so I don't actually know.

Q: Do you think your wife will be jealous of female attention?

Paul: I believe her words are, "You're welcome to him!"  Which is a joke, of course.  Well, I hope it is anyway.

Q: Who is your biggest fan?

Paul: Recently definitely my wife.  We've been married for four years, been together for six.

Q: So you first debuted your voice dressed up as Pavarotti?

Paul: It was a karaoke night in 1998 and I dressed up as Pavarotti for the bar.

Q: That was the first time people heard your voice?  What was their reaction?

Paul:  Some people from work brought tomatoes, but they didn't end up throwing them.

Q: Do you sing in the shower?

Paul: I've been known to do so...

Q: Is this your first time in the States?

Paul: I've been up north to New York State - I have some friends in Canada.

Q: First time in New York City?  What do you think?

Paul: I've not seen very much of it yet, so I hope to see more. 

Q: When do you get to go home?

Paul:  You know, I don't know!  I start recording the album on Saturday in Abbey Road Studios. 

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

Paul,
I don't know if you will read this, but thank you for sharing your gifted voice with the world.  I am a 67 year old American male who was raised not to show emotion, but your voice brought me to tears of joy as I am sure it does to many.  I can't wait for your songs to be produced.  I shall follow your career with interest and God bless you.  Keep singing you now belong to the world!

James H. Kuenzli, Sr. (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 10:52 AM)

What was the name of the song that Paul Potts sang on the talent show in England. I would like to purchase it.  Thank you.

Jani Bedell, Monticello, Florida (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 10:52 AM)

What a gift! What a talent! I'm genuinly happy for his success. He's so humble and lovely and I hope he remains like that. Power to him!

susana campbell (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 11:04 AM)

Paul Potts is absolutely wonderful!  I agree with Simon that he is like a breath of fresh air!  It is such an opportunity for the average person to be able to be on a show such as Britain's Got Talent or America's Got Talent and become an overnight hit!  The Ed Sullivan Show, of the 50s and 60s, gave opportunity for individual's to display their hidden talent, and it is wonderful that in today's world of money, greed and fake talent----someone can go from rags to riches because of the love of the talent they have been so graciously given in life.

Barri Lewis, West Columbia, SC (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 11:27 AM)

I think he has a great voice and will go far. I would love to hear him more (singing that is).

Irma Siegert Burbank, CA 91506 (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 11:56 AM)

I have been following Paul Potts' story for the past week and am moved to tears each time I watch his performances.  The energy he exudes transforms all who listen.  This humble man humbles us all.  We are reminded not to judge or undervalue any human being and that beauty is more than skin deep.  
I applaud Paul Potts for claiming who he is, having the courage to live his dream and taking us along for the ride.

Ginny Root, Boise, Idaho (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 11:59 AM)

We Americans love to root for the underdog and love to see mediocrity rise to perfection. Paul Potts is the 'poster boy' for both. I'm not an opera fan, however, he has moved me to tears everytime I hear him sing! Good luck Paul!

Scott Homan, Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:13 PM)

When I heard him sing a few days ago, he made me cry.  There was so much pathos in his face and voice.  Just beautiful!

Pam, Buffalo New York (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:19 PM)

He is wonderful!!!!
The public is having a very difficult time finding this video from this morning.   Glad I finally found it.

Vicki, Jacksonville, FL (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 1:15 PM)

Has anyone else considered the eerie similarities between Mr. Potts' wonderful story and the Harry Chapin song, "Mr. Tanner"?  Mr. Potts' wonderful triumph is Mr. Tanner's story with a happy ending. Bravo, Mr. Potts.  
              Gail Smith
              Fairbanks, Alaska

Gail Smith, Fairbanks, Alaska (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:00 PM)

I loved Paul Potts performance on the Today Show.
Thank-you for introducing Paul Potts to us in the
U.S.A..  He has a magnificent voice.  I wish him well!

kimberlypry harrisburg, pa (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:03 PM)

Thank you, Today Show, for putting on Paul Potts. His music connects us to that place where Divinity dwells in our hearts. We are all changed as a result.

Margie Lang, Evergreen, CO 80439 (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:15 PM)

He truly does make you cry when he sings.

I can't wait until he makes and releases his first recording.  

Bette Niech Blakeslee, Pa. (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:17 PM)

I am not an emotional person, but I had tears in my eyes when Paul Potts sang.  The world has not heard the last of him... I hope & I am not even an Opera fan... wonder how many more were not.. I believe many.
He just may be the Mohammed Ali / Tiger Woods of Opera.

Patti (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:12 PM)

Lovely to see Paul appreciated over the pond.In England Paul's first audition appearance never gave away the wonderful voice he had.It was quite an emotional finals evening when the telephone salesman with the crooked teeth won.Thanks USA for giving him the time and showing we have some raw talent.

Ben Sadler,Sudbury, Suffolk, England. (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:18 PM)

I have never heard Paul Potts sing. His voice is on par with those of Pavarotti and Bocelli. I got goosebumps when I heard him sing this morning.

Thank you for featuring Mr. Potts on your show. I know we will be hearing a lot more from him.

Ruth Ann Brooks (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:36 PM)

Paul Potts is beautiful in every way!I have played the video over and over and cry each time. I wish him luck and love.

Treva Christy (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:42 PM)

What a fabulous voice Paul Potts has and what a truly humble man he is.  I wish him all the success he deserves.

Linda Davis, Troy, MI (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:47 PM)

What an inspirational story!  I watched the video of Paul Potts five times.  I was enthralled by this lovely man's voice.  And he is a sweetheart too.  Listened to the interviews.  I wish him God's best to all the wonderful doors opening up to him.  And going to sing for the Queen - imagine!  She'll love it. Want to buy his CD.

Linda Greenfield Barrie Ontario Canada (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:06 PM)

Thank you Paul for sharing your extraordinary gift. I have enjoyed singing so much throughout my life and have been blessed with many wonderful experiences listening to and performing music. Your performance is a top 10 in my experience. May God bless you and your family as you share your gift with the world.

Curtis Rindlisbacher, Fresno, California (Sent Saturday, June 23, 2007 9:08 PM)

It is so wonderful to see a humble man with a beautiful voice such as Paul Potts. I saw him on TV here in Australia and he brought tears to my eye's. Hope you forfill your dreams.

Diana Bratby, Queensland Australia (Sent Sunday, September 30, 2007 7:16 PM)

My darling friend sent me the clip of your performance on the Britain's Got Talent competition, as she knows that I am a singer and opera lover. I was laughing and crying with joy as I watched the faces of the judges and heard the screams of the audience as you surprised all of them  with your gorgeous performance of "Nessun Dorma", ....whoohoo! What a lovely moment...it made my week,I have just bought your album, I admire your courage and wish you blessings,

Kit McLellan from Louisiana

Kit McLellan, Slidell, LA (Sent Wednesday, December 12, 2007 9:56 PM)



SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.): 

 Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private)

More allDAY

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Categories

Syndicate This Site

Add allDAY to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google

MSNBC Weblogs

More Links