Sir Elton John, a legendary icon with a musical legacy spanning decades, has once again voiced his strong criticism against talent shows like X-Factor.
One of the 20th century’s most influential artists, Elton John has repeatedly expressed his disdain for such programs, arguing that they have a detrimental effect on the music industry.
The 78-year-old musician has previously labeled these competition shows as “the worst thing that can happen to you in the music industry.” Standing firm on his stance, Sir Elton John elaborated on this issue during an interview with Capital Breakfast on Thursday, April 3.
The Circle of Life singer emphasized that the X-Factor “propels people into the spotlight before they are ready,” which he believes can be harmful rather than beneficial.
Speaking to hosts Jordan North, Chris Stark, and Sian Welby, the I’m Still Standing hitmaker explained that the struggles and disappointments over the years do more to shape a musician’s career than instant fame ever could.
Although the Sacrifice singer expressed happiness over Lola Young’s success with her hit single Messy last year, Elton John reflected on his own early struggles in the music industry. He recounted how he and his former bandmate, Bernie Taupin, endured years of hardship before finally achieving fame.
Sir Elton John underscored the importance of hard work, persistence, and learning from both “near hits and a lot of near misses.” He stressed that his success story was shaped by the many obstacles he faced along the way.
Elton John went on to highlight that it was “all those years of being disappointed” that gave him and Taupin the “backbone to be successful.” According to him, true artists are built through perseverance, not overnight stardom provided by reality talent shows.
Despite his concerns about the impact of such competitions, Elton John remains a firm advocate for organic growth in the industry, where musicians develop through experience, setbacks, and unwavering dedication to their craft.