Back in September, the X Factor UK welcomed ‘R.E.D’ mastermind Ne-Yo to the ‘judges houses’ stage of the competition.
Joining full time judge Nicole Scherzinger in selecting the male acts she would take through to the live finals, the ‘Let Me Love You‘ singer found himself splitting opinions when he opted not to ‘save’ tabloid hopeful Nathan Fagan-Gale.
Now, Ne-Yo has revealed just why he didn’t put the vocalist through, in an exclusive interview with The Voice.
His explanation below…
“Although the X Factor is a music competition, it is not just about singing. It’s about more than singing; the x-factor is what it is that makes you a star. Nathan does have a great voice, he’s an incredible singer, but in my personal opinion I just didn’t see a star in him.”
Then, perhaps in response to the Londoner’s long running ‘fame quest’, he revealed:
“I had a conversation with Nicole off camera and I let her know that music and the realm of entertainment doesn’t do phony well. I also said that I was going to be very honest and give my no holds barred opinion about everybody that stepped in front of me.”
“Nathan is a good singer; I just didn’t sense the genuineness in him. I’m not sitting here trying to act holier than thou, but my opinion was asked and I gave it. If Nathan paid more attention to the sentiment of the song and the genuineness of the performance as opposed to trying to look and sound as cool as humanly possible he will go far.”
Following several failed attempts to assert himself as a star, we can’t say we disagree with Ne-Yo’s estimation of Nathan- a vocalist, whose career has seen him achieve anything but a solid fan base and the respect afforded to many of his Brit contemporaries.
From his fruitless stint on Big Brother UK five years ago to his embarrassing run on this year’s X Factor, it’s clear to everyone but Nathan that he lacks the ‘IT’ the likes of Jermaine Riley, Mike Hough and James Arthur serve in effortless abundance.
Here’s hoping he takes Ne-Yo‘s advice and makes the most of it.
Any other time I’d tell Ne-Yo to shut his trap BUT I’m kinda liking the fact that he’s not afraid to hold back. He’s stood up to some of the mainstreams most popular.
Go Ne-Yo, tell it like it is!
I always. Said a good voice make you a good singer,but not a star
Mike Hough and Jermaine Riley dont have it… Hence why they are not signed despite years upon years of trying to make it happen… They have go voices, but dont have that ‘artist’ factor… Simon Cowell told Mike Hough he would never be good enough and he was right… Being a Covers Artist is not genuine… He holds no weight on his own music… Jermaine Riley has had many an opportunity and it has not happened… There is obviously a reason why…
Nathan is that you?
Mike and Jermaine will make it if they learn to make the right music and get the right push, aside from this they are actually stars and do have star power or potential. Nathan is as dry as a box of expired crackers left to bake in the cruel heat of the Serengeti on a mid summer’s day.
I have to agree with Ne-Yo on this, Was hoping Nathan went through to the live shows, but when he sang ne-yo’s beautiful monster infront of the man himself i knew he blew it. Seriously of all songs that should take you in the live shows, you choose that song! And he was acting cocky/cool i thought what a bell.
I forgot Nathan was on BB, he can sing but celebrity is not for him.
I have to say that i disagree with some of the views. You put someone on xfactor and people will either love them or hate them, but the audience capacity means that you last a few weeks or win over the judges you’re halfway there. Also, you shove someone down someones throat enough and they will become a star. Case and point Cher Lloyd. Cher can’t sing and the public felt that Gamu or any one of the other females deserved a place more than her,was saved on numerous occasions by the judges, a mediocre album, mediocre sales, then American rebranding and styling and the U.S love her although its the same girl.
I personally don’t think that Ne-Yo is a great artist, he is a good songwriter who can write a good hook but if you think star quality his name holds more weight than his face, he could ride the tube all day long and probably not be noticed although millions know his songs.
Think how many launches Keri Hilson had before she caught on although many were already singing her songs.
I think Ne-Yo saw competition in Nathan so decided not to put him through, all the thins/bad habits that Nathan built up on his grind he could’ve re-learned.
Apart from all of that i didn’t think Nathan was a good singer anyway
Excellent response and so on point.
Lol ne-yo saw this guy as competition.
Nothing more nothing less.
The fact that he is trying to say someone has no star appeal. Ne-yo when was your last Platinum album? 2006 or 2007.
Ne-Yo isn’t a star and this guy is a better singer than him. Ne-Yo has been out since 2004 or 2005 and has yet to become a household name. Its kind of like calling kettle calling the pot black
Competition? Nathan can’t even get a record deal let alone compete with someone who already has one. Neyo is trash but he’s right on this one.
LMS can hush the hell down please… Nathan has had plenty of chance. Sorry but after having his own contract years ago and having released his own songs, going onto BB and going on about how he was a famous singer and people could purchase his CDs in HMV (Hell no they don’t sell 10 year old crap) and now failing on X factor. I mean i would’ve much preferred him to go through instead of that atrocity Rylan. There are just so many chances a person can have and if they’re not good enough then they just aren’t. The fact that X factor in itself is an utter farce anyway and no real BIG talent has come out since Leona how much would it mean if he wouldn’t be able to make anything out of his chance when he came out. I really don’t believe people who have had as many chances as he has should even be allowed to apply for these shows. Unfair advantage I say.
Nathan is just a flop and he needs to accept it. From when you’ve released song after song, tour after tour and show after show and NOTHING sticks that’s a sign telling you that what you want doesn’t want you.