Susan Boyle appeared on the semi finals of America’s Got Talent yesterday night, and gave an exclusive stunning live performance of “You Have to Be There”, a song which appears on her forthcoming new album. She sang against an orchestral backing and gave a most passionate performance.

Susan was visiting America solely for the purpose of singing on America’s Got Talent and she was well received by the appreciative audience.

Susan said of her performance: “”I’m so pleased the audience enjoyed the song. I really loved performing that big number. I was also a little nervous introducing something new. America’s Got Talent - it’s where I started with my first album, so it was wonderful to be back and for the support.”

The Huffington Post wrote: “She wasn’t even a competitor on the show, but Susan Boyle arguably stole the finale of America’s Got Talent”.

Susan performed her debut single “Wild Horses” in front of the America’s Got Talent judges, Piers Morgan, David Hasselhof and Sharon Osbourne.

Check out Susan Boyle’s amazing performance of her new single “Wild Horses”, that appeared on last night’s America’s Got Talent, her very first performance in the US.

She wowed 25 million viewers, looking elegant in a black dress and backed by a full orchestra. After her performance, the Americans rose to their feet to give her a standing ovation. A member of the audience told the Daily Mail: “People were crying and cheering her after her performance.”

Sources at the show also said that Susan enjoyed her performance very much.

Earlier in the day, Susan enjoyed a walk in the gardens of the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles, chatting with guests. Afterwards, she visited Barneys to do a spot of shopping.

According to the Daily Mirror, Susan has been “inundated” with requests from celebrities who want to meet her. At the top of the list are Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, who are expected to meet Susan back stage at America’s Got Talent. Ashton and Demi’s “tweets” are what started the Susan Boyle Youtube internet phenomenom, bringing Susan to the attention of millions of Americans.

Listen to her debut single, Wild Horses, here:

According to the Daily Mirror, Susan will be singing “Wild Horses” on the show, the cover of the Rolling Stones song which will be her debut single.

Susan had to be helped through the crowds of media and fans by two bodyguards. However, Susan seemed to be enjoying the attention as she smiled, waved and blew kisses to the crowd on her way to the car.

A chant of ‘”Susan! Susan!” could be heard as Susan made her way from the terminal to the car, according to the Daily Telegraph, together with shouts of “We love you Susan”.

A source said that when confronted by the huge crowds, Susan said: “Oh my word. Is this for me?”

This trip to the US is the first time that Susan has ever left Europe. The welcoming crowds were so huge that Susan joked: “It?s like the Beatles”.

Apparently, one fan even got close enough to give Susan a hug! (Better up the security next time, guys…). However, Susan was not upset by the incident. An onlooker said: “It was really sweet. Susan always has time for her fans and she told her it was a pleasure to meet her.”

Susan’s interview will be broadcast on Wednesday in the US, but not the UK, with excepts being shown on Today. An extended version of the interview will be shown on America?s Got Talent.

In the interview, Susan talks “about her improbable journey to international fame, her voice, her health and what is next for her.”

I guess we in the UK will have to wait for our US friends to upload the interview to YouTube. Hint, hint!

Reasons given for the fall in the number of viewers include the lack of a Susan Boyle.

It was originally thought that the massive interest in Susan Boyle from the US would give the ratings of America’s Got Talent a boost – but evidently this is not the case. At least not yet, at any rate.

America’s Got Talent, which is hosted by Jerry Springer and has Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff as judges, had 11.3 million viewers for NBC – down from 12.8 million for the season premier last year.

People Magazine have said of the show: “There was no Susan Boyle moment.”

USA Today said: “The show is steering clear of trying to duplicate the Boyle effect.”? (My view: rubbish! Why would they steer clear of the Boyle effect? It sounds like it’s what the show needs. Nevertheless, you can’t really plan for a “Boyle Effect” – it either happens or not. You can’t contrive it.)

Piers has always been a supported of Susan. He told the Examiner: “The great thing about Susan was it came at a perfect time ? a time when, you know, the whole world was suffering a bit from this big recession and feeling a bit down in the dumps. And here you have the most incredibly inspiring story of somebody who had never sung outside of her village in Scotland ? just part of the local church community, certainly never sung professionally ? comes to an audition on “Britain?s Got Talent,” and just like Terry Fator [the winner of the second season of] “America?s Got Talent” before, something triggered this reaction.”

He added that Susan Boyle became an internet sensation whilst they were auditioning for America’s Got Talent, and because of this they noticed far more people turning up to be auditioned. In turn, this has made the standard of the final 40 acts higher than it has been in previous years. Piers said: “The Susan Boyle phenomenon has pulled through into the American show.”

Piers also added that he thought that the Susan Boyle effect would increase the viewing figures for America’s Got Talent. For Britain’s Got Talent, Susan increased the normal ratings of the show by 50%. He added that he thought America will respond to the challenge: “Have you got anyone who can beat our Susan?”

Piers was asked if the judges of Britain’s Got Talent had any prior warning that Susan Boyle had a good voice when they auditioned her. Piers said no, they have no warning. Simon Cowell is adamant that the judges should never have any warning as that would spoil the element of surprise. Remember – he nearly buzzed Hollie Steel before he heard her voice. He said you might get their name – but that is it.

He added the unpredictability and spontaneity was what made the show special.

Piers Morgan has confirmed that he would like Susan to sing on the America’s Got Talent show, to impress the Americans with her amazing voice.

“If she?s up for it and she is well enough, our feeling is she probably will [appear on AGT]. Absolutely!

“Susan singing live to 25 million Americans? That would be great!”

Meanwhile, Piers himself? is endorsing a new masculine body spray that smells like grilled beef, so I couldn’t resist adding this photo of him to the article. I do know that Susan likes a bit of Piers baby. But tell me, is that really Piers own body?

You can watch the making of the advert below: