Michael Maiolo at his business, The Original House of Wax. Source: News Corp Australia
Daily Telegraph columnist Sarrah Le Marquand speaks with Karl Stefanovic about the harsh reality of The Voice Kids. Courtesy Channel Nine/The TODAY Show
MICHAEL Maiolo's biggest passion in life was to sing.
Having competed in international song competitions, recorded an album by the age of 17 and released singles on iTunes by the time he was 21, Maiolo was dedicated to pursuing a career in music.
But all that changed when he entered Channel 7's talent show, The X Factor.
One bad audition changed his life — and he said he was left so scarred by his experience on the show that he lost all his friends, was prescribed antidepressants and even considered changing his name.
Maiolo claimed he was told not to disclose his sexual orientation, was forced to sing a song he didn't feel comfortable with, was instructed by The X Factor staffers to say he was better than everyone else on the show, that the judges laughed at him and called him "weird" and "uncomfortable to watch".
After reading news.com.au's story earlier this week about 12-year-old The Voice Kids contestant Romy, who was left distressed and in tears after she failed to progress past the blind auditions, Maiolo wanted to share his story for the first time.
"I have never been compelled to write my own story down and share it with anyone," Maiolo told news.com.au, "until I saw the heartache and sadness this little girl, Romy, had to endure at the hands of television networks for ratings.
"I hope more and more people can come forward with their stories to show how cruel viewers of these shows can be and the power of destroying lives on national television; I feel very passionately about this."
Maiolo says one of his biggest passions was singing. Source: Supplied
Here, Michael Maiolo tells his story in his own words:
"I am now 26-years-old, however, I auditioned for The X Factor a few years ago when I was 22.
"I had been singing since the age of seven, competed in Italy's San Remo Song Festival where I reached the Top 40, had recorded an album at the age of 17, and sold songs via iTunes by the age of 21. It was my own decision to enter the contest. I had for some reason thought it may have helped boost my career at the time.
"As you may be aware, it is not shown on television that you have to go through two preliminary rounds to even get in front of the judges. I had passed these by singing in front of two panels of executive producers as well as completing a gruelling questionnaire and a half an hour interview with an X-Factor staff member upon being passed through with my audition songs.
"The time came to decide what song I would sing in front of the judges Kyle Sandilands, Ronan Keating, Natalie Imbruglia, and Guy Sebastian. The producers had given me two options; Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven and Ronan Keating's If Tomorrow Never Comes; I was told to practise these and that I would be contacted by phone in the next few days to find out when and where the recording of the judges audition would be.
The X Factor judges in 2010: Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia, Kyle Sandilands and Ronan Keating. Source: Supplied
"It was at this time that I expressed that I was a gay male and did not want to sing If Tomorrow Never Comes as it referred to being in love with a female and was a song already recorded by one of the judges. I was told that I wouldn't have a choice in the matter and that I would have to sing what was picked by the executive producers, otherwise I would not be able to compete. I was also told it would be favourable to not disclose my sexual orientation until I was well and truly 'safe' in the competition.
"When the call came through with the venue and filming details, I was told the horrible news that out of the two songs, I would be singing If Tomorrow Never Comes. Filming was to occur at the Regent Theatre. As told by The X Factor staff member that called me, my parents, sister, and I attended the Regent with the other 20 contestants (and their families) that had also passed the two previous preliminary stages.
"We were asked to arrive at midday for interviews, vocal warm-ups and stills. Throughout my filming, I was interviewed singing well on the balconies outside the Regent Theatre and explaining why I entered the competition. I was also interviewed one-on-one with an X Factor staff member. He berated me as to 'why I had the X Factor'. He did not like my responses so called cut to the camera then told me that I need to sound convincing to the camera that I have the X-Factor and that I am better than everybody else in the competition. I advised him that this isn't my character type and that I wouldn't like viewers to perceive me in this way.
The X Factor judges Guy Sebastian, Ronan Keating, Natalie Imbruglia and Kyle Sandilands. Source: News Limited
"Upon concluding the interview, we were told that the judge's hair and makeup were finished and that we would need to attend backstage in our specific order to be interviewed by Matthew Newton.
"Then it was my turn to perform the dreaded song; the audience was filled with mine and other contestants' family members and friends. There were cameras everywhere and the stage was so daunting, I recall Natalie Imbruglia whispering in her fellow judges' ears about me, then looking back at me, then laughing. I froze. I was questioned briefly then began singing — my nerves had the better of me on this day. I was asked to stop singing and was booed by other contestants' families in the audience.
"The judges then called me 'weird' and 'uncomfortable to watch'. These comments were made by Kyle, Natalie and Ronan to the point where Guy Sebastian asked them to stop and said that they didn't have to be 'so mean'. I was told to leave the stage where I had two cameras filming my family's reactions with Matthew Newton; they asked how I was feeling and I said I just wanted to leave, I did not wish to cry in front of anyone; it was so humiliating to see the way they treated my family and I.
"We were then handed our belongings that had been left in the green room and ushered down a hallway into a room where my family was told to stand behind the camera and I was told to stand in front of the camera in front of The X Factor sign. The lady next to the tripod began yelling at me in an attempt to rev me up and get a reaction out of me. She was screaming and pointing to me then the camera, 'You tell the judges how you feel! You tell them how wrong they were!'.
Maiolo has been singing since the age of seven. Source: Supplied
"I knew what she was trying to do with me so I held back my tears and asked if I could just please leave. It was with that my family was ushered through another door, and into the side alley. The door was slammed — the competition was over.
"It took me a long time to process what had happened and I hoped every day that they would not air the footage of me. They were aware of my previous professional music history and I thought they would protect that and not want to damage my reputation on national TV.
"I phoned Channel 7 and left messages requesting they would not air the footage however they never responded to me. I will never forget the night the footage was shown and I was called to the lounge room by my parents as it came on. I knew from that moment, people would look at me differently based on the opinions of these judges and the light that I was viewed in.
"Within five minutes, my Facebook wall was flooded with people telling me they saw me on TV and how horrible I was. I received inbox messages and hate mail via my music website telling me that I should kill myself and that I am an embarrassment. I had messages from people I didn't even know saying that if they saw me in the street they'd know me and that I was talentless and useless. Blogs were written about me saying that I 'murdered' the song, I lost all of my friends at the time and the professional singing reputation I had spent years building.
"It was at this time I was worried to leave my house as I was recognised; I was prescribed antidepressants from multiple doctors, however could not even bring myself to take the tablets let alone open my mouth and sing another note in front of anyone anymore.
Maiolo competed in international singing contests. Source: Supplied
"To this day my name and
The X Factor are a Google search result and I have thought to changed my identity many times because of the undue negative attention I received in one bad audition. I have never been able to tell this story to anyone but hope people can see the damage these shows have on the innocent creative soul and the devastation they can leave on a person and their name. I like to live with no regrets, however know that if I could take back the whole
The X Factor experience, I would. I am no better for it, it did not support or encourage me as an Australian artist, it did not help."
Maiolo says he took a long break from singing publicly after the show went to air, but after recently regaining his confidence has once again begun practising and refining his craft with those he trusts.
He says he looked forward to releasing another album in the near future and felt great, thanks to the support of his family, friends and new-found fans.
Despite taking years to rebuild his personal strength and character after his turn on The X Factor went to air, he is now a business owner who runs Melbourne's MM Collection House of Wax, which specialises in handmade, original candles and accessories for gifts and events and also male and female face and body waxing.
For anyone considering entering a show like The X Factor, Maiolo had this advice:
"You must be prepared in every sense of the word. Your entire life will be exposed on national television and you will be openly judged and critiqued by the public. Triple-check all documentation you sign as you are giving a lot of your rights to the network hosting the show."
He said it was paramount that a singer remained true to themselves, and he said to stay strong "no matter what is said to you or about you."
"Try to remember that it is only a competition and you may be used for extra ratings by the network. Many recording actors were rejected by the very best before becoming world sensations — so ultimately never give up on pursuing your dreams."
You can hear Michael Maiolo's music on his YouTube channel.
News.com.au has contacted Channel 7 for comment, but is yet to receive a response.
