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Sir Elton John has once again taken aim at TV talent competitions, criticising shows like The X Factor for giving young artists a fast track to fame without the experience needed to sustain a long-term music career.
Speaking about the importance of supporting emerging artists, the legendary musician reflected on his own rise to stardom alongside longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. He emphasised that their journey was filled with setbacks before they finally broke through, something he believes made them stronger and more prepared for success.
“Bernie and I struggled for a long time before we made it,” Elton explained. “We had four years of disappointments, near hits, and a lot of near misses. But when we finally happened, we were ready for it. All those years of being disappointed gave you the backbone to be successful.”
He used this as a reason why he’s never been a fan of shows like The X Factor, arguing that the instant fame they provide isn’t always beneficial. “That’s why I don’t like X Factor shows and everything like that,” he said. “People like that just aren’t ready for a career. They get on television, and when it comes to actually performing live, it’s difficult.”
Instead, Elton championed a more traditional route to success, where artists hone their craft by performing to small crowds before making it big. “I’d rather people did gigs first and built their way up that way. Look at Ed Sheeran playing in living rooms, or James Blunt and people like that,” he added, referencing stars who made a name for themselves through relentless live performances rather than reality TV exposure.
Elton has made similar criticisms in the past, previously calling reality TV stardom “the worst thing that can happen to you in the music industry.” While shows like The X Factor have produced stars such as One Direction and Leona Lewis, Elton remains firm in his belief that true musical success comes from years of dedication and hard work, rather than overnight fame.
