Susan Boyle's performance on "Britain's Got Talent"

When this week began, the world didn't know Susan Boyle's name. Now, the "Britain's Got Talent" contestant is a viral-video sensation. The video clip of her performance on the British talent show has become a hit on the internet, been viewed more than 12 million times until Thursday.

This Ms Boyle, looking dowdy, unemployed, from a village of West Lothian in Scotland, stunned the three judges and the audience with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Miserables during last Saturday's lauch show of the third series of "Britain's Got Talent", one of the hottest reality shows in Britain.

She coulden't hide the awkwardness when walking to the center of the stage in a housedress, and everyone - including the judges - seemed laughing at her when she said she wants to be as successful as Elaine Page.

As soon as she began singing I Dream A Dream, from the musical Les Misérables, however, everyone in the auditorium fell silent, before erupting into a standing ovation.

After her performance, one of the judges Piers Morgan said: "Without doubt that was the biggest surprise I've had in three years of this show. When you stood there with that cheeky grin everyone was laughing at you. No one is laughing now. That was stunning. I'm reeling from shock."

Even Simon Cowell, known for his acerbity on contestants, was clearly floored by the performance of this never-been-kissed, 47-year-old woman.

Susan obviously won over the hearts of millions around the world with sensation spreading across the Atlantic.

Hollywood actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore - who between them have nearly 1.5 million followers - are raving about her. Kutcher posted a link to the clip and wrote: "This just made my night." Moore replied: "You saw it made me teary!"

'Ordinary people are capable of extraordinary accomplishments,' one commenter says of Susan Boyle.

The Scotish talent made her live American debut via satellite connection on CBS's The Early Show, doing an interview and singing live from her room. And she already nabbed an invite from talk show host Oprah Winfrey.