Susan Boyle's two reported meltdowns are the fault of an "obsessed global audience holding a magnifying glass over her life", a leading psychologist has said.
The Britain's Got Talent hero reportedly flew into a rage after seeing one of the show's judges praise another contestant for their singing performance.
And she later abused two members of the public who were mocking her, telling them: "How f******* dare you … you can't f****** talk to me like that."
But Boyle's foul-mouthed tantrums are the signs of a woman struggling to cope with rediscovering herself after being thrust onto the world stage, psychologist Robyn Mills told ninemsn.
"Susan is being invaded by people who want to ask questions, she's been humiliated by some and others have mocked her unique look," Dr Mills said.
"The things she would use to keep normal and sane are no longer there."
Dr Mills believes exceptionally high expectations on the 48-year-old Scot may have added to the outbursts.
"Susan is likely to be resenting people for holding her up to such a high standard," Dr Mills said.
"She's a woman with a beautiful voice but people are expecting her to be the whole package… a package that means she must be eloquent, clear and someone who can face the barrage of media."
But the meltdowns are unlikely to affect the public's perception of Boyle.
"The public should reach out to her and if they think she has beautiful voice and deserves to win then they might be more understanding of her reactions, " Dr Mills said.
"She is under enormous pressure."
Boyle's shaky semi-final performance of Memory from the musical Cats was panned by some critics, who questioned where she could cope with her newfound stardom.
Her initial audition, where she rang I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables, has now been watched by more than 100 million people on YouTube.
Boyle is reportedly poised to sign a record deal and may star in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
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