Jay James is the latest singer to leave The X Factor….ultimately due to a lack of people voting for him.
Hmmm…
Did he have a great voice? Check.
Did he look good? Check.
Did he have a story we could connect with? Check.
Was he likeable?…..er,clearly NOT as likeable as Stevi Ritchie – yeah, you know, the guy who really can’t sing (sorry Stevi – just being honest).
But whether it was due to bad press (for Jay) or good press (for Stevi) – the underdog came out on top. For now.
This is a classic, all too often seen example when the person with real talent doesn’t have enough of that something extra, that often un- quantifiable thing – that Ingredient ‘X’ to pull it off.
That’s life.
Does that mean you are ‘doomed’ if it happens to you? Hell no! But it does mean you have to have enough of the right stuff if you want to engage with people ,and for your popularity to soar.
Stevi has humour. He laughs at himself , and he knows he will be leaving the competition soon – but whilst he is around, he is determined to put on the show of his life. We like him because he is honest about himself, he doesn’t try to be too big for his boots – and his reputation as ‘Mr.Nice Guy’ , and OK, Mr ‘let’s cheat the system’ is growing.
And in the music industry – if you can connect with Simon Cowell. Boom!
Talent is NOT enough. We have to like you (in some way). You have to win our hearts before we completely ‘buy’ you – so much so that if you are in a competition (aren’t we all?) you have to be more genuine, more humble, more likeable than everyone else – and still have what it takes to win the show (whatever ‘show’ you are in).
So here’s a message for the Jay’s of the world – something I always talk to the singers/performers and TV personalities I coach:
Pick yourself up, dust yourself down – and be humble.
You still have talent, but that’s nothing unless you make us like you. Honestly and genuinely.
Ingredient ‘X’ – everyone has it, you just have to know about it and be able to find yours….
That’s where I come in.
Amana,
Straightforward, straight talking coach.