If you’re an aspiring musician dreaming of superstardom, Elton John has some words of wisdom—and it might not be what you want to hear if you’re eyeing a reality TV debut.
The legendary artist recently shared his thoughts on the music industry’s next generation, urging up-and-coming performers to avoid the fast track of talent competitions like American Idol or The X Factor, and instead embrace the grind of playing live gigs.
“That experience stood me in great stead for when I became Elton John because I had backbone. And backbone is so important,” he told Rolling Stone UK.
According to Elton, real-world performance experience builds essential skills—and character—that television fame simply can’t provide.
“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,” he continued. “You get put on stage, you go, and you can’t do it. That’s the worst thing. ‘American Idol’, just the worst.”
His advice to new artists? “Take risks. Go and play in a pub.”