Contestants on 'The Voice' are 'non-entities', says Elton John
Elton John has slammed "The Voice" contestants as “non-entities”, and believes "television and video have done a lot of damage to music."
The "Rocket Man" hitmaker blasted both UK and US versions of the talent show, saying there is far too much focus on the programmes’ coaches rather than the contestants.
He said: "’The Voice’ is all about watching the judges. "Nobody on ‘The Voice’ in America has had a hit record.
"And nobody on ‘The Voice’ in England has had a hit record - they're non-entities."
The 66-year-old star also hit out at TV talent shows for doing “a lot of damage” to the music industry, but admitted he feels sorry for past winners of such programmes who have been forgotten about.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s "Front Row" show, he added: “They've propelled people into stardom that aren't ready for it, you know, and it can't sustain it.
"And they're only as good as the next song … I hate that, I hate people being cast aside.
"It breaks my heart to see people like Michelle McManus who won ‘Pop Star’, whatever it was, but it's not fair.
"Television and video have done a lot of damage to music."
