Sir Elton John has reiterated his disdain for television shows such as ‘The X Factor,’ emphasizing the crucial need for nurturing emerging talent.
The iconic artist, now 78, has previously expressed that achieving stardom through these talent competitions can be “the worst thing that can happen to you in the music industry.”
During a conversation on Capital Breakfast this Thursday, Elton criticized ‘The X Factor’ for thrusting individuals into fame prematurely.
Engaging with hosts Jordan North, Chris Stark, and Sian Welby, Elton expressed his delight over young artist Lola Young’s success with her track ‘Messy’ last year.
Reflecting on his own career path with former collaborator Bernie Taupin, he acknowledged that their journey to success was fraught with challenges.
He elaborated, “Bernie and I endured a tough journey before reaching success, experiencing four years filled with setbacks, near successes, and numerous close calls.”
Sir Elton John has doubled down on his hate for shows ‘like The X Factor’ as he highlighted the importance of supporting young artists in a new interview with Capital on Thursday (pictured in 2013)
The star shared his belief that The X Factor propels people into the spotlight before they are ready
‘But when we happened, we were ready for it. So, all those years of being disappointed gave you the backbone to be successful.’
Chis added: ‘It’s okay to be disappointed, it doesn’t need to be perfect the first time.’
Elton continued: ‘That’s why I don’t like X Factor shows and everything like that because people like that just aren’t ready for the career.
‘You know they get on television and when it comes to actually performing live it’s difficult. I’d rather people did gigs and then did it that way where they are playing to twenty or thirty people.
‘I mean Ed Sheeran playing in living rooms and James Blunt and people like that.’
It comes after Elton stressed how important it is to play live for musicians.
He also admitted when he played in Musicology, they would sometimes perform to tiny audiences, and no matter how small the crowd, it always helped him improve.
In an interview with Rolling Stone UK, he recalled: ‘That experience stood me in great stead for when I became Elton John because I had backbone.
Speaking to hosts Jordan North , Chris Stark and Sian Welby, admitted that he was ‘so happy’ when young artist Lola Young had her hit with ‘Messy’ last year
Elton said: ‘That’s why I don’t like X Factor shows and everything like that because people like that just aren’t ready for the career. ‘You know they get on television and when it comes to actually performing live it’s difficult’
‘And backbone is so important, because the worst thing that can happen to you in the industry are things like X Factor and instant fame on television where you have no experience of playing live.’
Elton said: ‘You get put on stage, you go, and you can’t do it. That’s the worst thing. American Idol – just the worst. Take risks. Go and play in a pub.’
However, despite his distaste for musical talent shows, Elton appered on The X Factor back in 2013 to perform a duet with judge Gary Barlow.
But, it’s also not the first tike he’s spoken negatively about the ITV programme and he has always been vocal about his opinion.
Back in 2010, he told Radio Times magazine: ‘I’m not a fan of talent shows. I probably wouldn’t have lasted if I’d gone on one. I was asked to judge American Idol. I couldn’t do it because I won’t s*** anyone off.
It comes after Elton claimed that gaining fame from shows like X-Factor is ‘the worst thing that can happen to you in the music industry’ (pictured at Glastonbury)
‘Also, I don’t want to be on television. It’s become boring, ****-paralysingly brain crippling. I like Simon Cowell, but what he does is TV entertainment.
‘There have been some good acts, but the only way to sustain a career is to pay your dues in small, s**t clubs.’
He added: ‘I was in a band at 17, became a songwriter with Bernie Taupin and wasn’t successful until we’d had six years of hard graft and disappointment, as well as great times. I had experience you couldn’t buy.’
Elton continued: ‘TV vaults you to superstardom and then you have to back it up, which is hard. Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke are at the mercy of the next song they can get.
‘Susan Boyle was an endearing phenomenon, but I fear she might not understand the rigours of showbusiness.
Listen to Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby weekdays from 6:00am – 10:00am across the UK on air, and on Global Player, the official Capital app
