Telford X Factor hopeful's audition experience
He may have got four nos from the judges – but Shropshire singer Steven Zulu has still described auditioning on the X Factor as "one of my best experiences".
Steven, from Oakengates in Telford, queued for 15 hours to perform for two minutes in front of X Factor judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne at Birmingham ICC.
He hoped the occasion would help him launch a career in the music industry. But his rendition of Rihanna's chart topper Diamonds didn't have the cutting edge for the judges.
Take That star Barlow suggested Steven was not cut out for singing – an assessment that still rankles with the 18-year-old student.
Despite the setback, Steven said he was determined he would continue to follow his dreams. And he said he would use the positive criticism he received from Scherzinger and Osbourne to come back stronger in the future.
He said: "I queued from 7am until 10pm for my chance to perform which lasted just two minutes.
"When you arrive you are so hyped up and excited but after waiting 15 hours you are physically exhausted and can't perform as well as you hoped but Gary's comments were just nasty. I was nervous and my voice didn't open up as much as I had hoped."
He said that while Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger gave him constructive criticism and said he would make a good model, Gary's comments were scripted.
"Gary stopped me and said 'I don't think singing is for you'.
"The advice I would give Gary is to remember that you are in a high position because of your fans and your fans want constructive criticism, not nasty comments. Nicole and Sharon saved me from Gary."
Steven is studying performing arts and art and design at New College in Wellington and hopes to become a fashion designer once he has finished his studies.
Asked if his audition experience on June 10 had changed his view on the show, he said: "From auditioning I found out that it is not really a reality TV show, so much of it is scripted and edited.
"It was a great day having my pictures taken and being interviewed – it was one of my best experiences – but it was a long tiring day and I was exhausted by the end of it.
"Nicole told me to work on projecting my voice. I have taken her advice and I am now having lessons with a vocal coach in Birmingham to learn which kind of songs suit my voice. Sharon suggested I become a model and said she loved my eyes and my fashion sense."
Steven said he believed the X Factor focuses more on the "whole package" and suggested people with good voices would be better auditioning for the BBC's rival talent show The Voice.
He said: "My advice is don't go on The X Factor, go on The Voice.
"They put more importance on singing and don't judge someone just on looks."
