The article you provided outlines Steve Brookstein’s journey after winning The X Factor in 2004, reflecting on his turbulent relationship with Simon Cowell and the music industry. It offers an in-depth look at the emotional and psychological toll Brookstein endured after his initial rise to fame. He describes his experiences with humiliation, both on the show and in the aftermath of his victory, and how these led to years of mental health struggles. Despite this, he has come to a place of peace, realizing that the negative experiences have shaped him in ways he could not have predicted at the time.
Brookstein shares the deep sense of betrayal he felt after being publicly criticized by judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh, and then being dropped from Simon Cowell’s label just a year after his win. He also recalls how his popularity faded as quickly as it had risen, with Cowell making harsh public statements about his inability to sell records. This led to Brookstein being mocked online and facing industry-wide rejection, which deeply affected his self-esteem and mental health.
The musician also draws a poignant comparison between his experience and the tragic story of Liam Payne, reflecting on how different his life could have been if he had been younger when thrust into the intense pressure of The X Factor. Brookstein recognizes that, had he been at the same age as Payne, the situation might have shattered him completely. He credits his life experience at the time of his win—being 36 years old—as a crucial factor in helping him survive the emotional and professional turmoil that followed.
Despite the hardships, Brookstein says he has found contentment in his life today. He performs smaller gigs and has reconciled with the idea that fame, as presented by The X Factor, wasn’t everything he needed. He even states that the fame and fortune he thought would come from the show didn’t bring him happiness, and in retrospect, he sometimes wonders whether he might have had a better career if he’d avoided the show altogether. Yet, he doesn’t regret his journey, acknowledging that it shaped him in ways that have made him who he is today.
Brookstein further details the disillusionment he felt with Cowell and the record label after his win. He recounts how his album was mishandled and how he tried to leave the label due to its failure to support him, only to be met with further humiliation and a low-ball settlement offer. The music industry, he says, quickly turned its back on him, making it difficult to rebuild his career. Even after performing for high-profile events, such as a gig at the Monaco Grand Prix, he was ridiculed and labeled as a failure, with damaging headlines mocking his appearance.
Despite the setbacks, Brookstein maintains a sense of perspective. He credits his wife, Eileen, and their family for providing him with the support he needed during his darkest moments. He admits that there were times when he considered the impact of his mental health struggles on his family but never wanted to give up on life because of them. His resilience and ability to move forward come from a combination of faith, family, and a realization that life has its own rhythm, regardless of the music industry’s brutal realities.
Brookstein also reflects on how The X Factor was an inherently competitive environment where contestants were often treated as disposable commodities. He criticizes the lack of “duty of care” from the show’s producers, who, in his view, were more concerned with ratings and spectacle than with the well-being of the artists. He feels that the lessons learned from his season were not about improving the welfare of contestants but about maximizing the success of the show.
In closing, Steve Brookstein is no longer focused on what could have been. He has accepted his place in the music industry, even though it didn’t unfold the way he once imagined. As he moves forward, he finds solace in smaller performances and being true to himself. He looks ahead to releasing new music, including his version of Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up,” and is determined to continue doing what he loves, no matter how big or small the audience. Through his experiences, Brookstein has learned the importance of inner peace, gratitude for the small victories, and a commitment to moving forward desp
ite the odds.
