Bullied Boy on BGT

[flipnflap]

If the bullied boy on Britain's Got Talent is genuine, I apologise for what I'm about to say. I'm not convinced he was genuine. Even his continually lowered eyelids made me suspicious. Think about it: it's a damn good line to win the public over before you've even performed. Would a bullied boy announce his victimsation to the nation on telly? While he had the audience in bits, he himself wasn't emotional and his Mum (in the wings with Ant n Dec) just seemed delighted, not in the least bit moved. Call me cynical, but if your son had (as he claimed) faced a lifetime of persecution and produced that performance, you'd fall apart. Wouldn't you? And when he got 3 Yes votes and the best compliments of the night, his reaction didn't match his sob-story for me. My hunch is he used a clever tactic. Anyone agree?

[banned-dot]

Not sure I agree with that but I am wondering how his school will react to his broardcasting of the problem. I think he was generally an unemotional child, he didn;t seem to show any feeling when he sang, that might be his age and inexperience though, but they did put a few children through last time and it does bring publicity.

[saxy_jag]

He seems to display all the outward signs of a boy who gets the mickey taken out of him for being keen on singing sacred/spiritual music. He gave an immediate, simple and honest answer to Simon Cowell's "do you get support from your friends?" question, and I guess it was his (very brave) way of saying to his bullies, 'f___ you all, look at me, I'm on the telly'. The interview comments look as though they were gleaned afterwards as a reaction to what was a very small comment, and then cut into the 'pre-performance' part of the broadcast. I think this would have been the producers' idea - these things make good telly. I think his reaction afterwards was out of genuine shyness and nerves. I also think his Mum may well have been aware of both his talent and his bullying and that this is why she supported him on this show.

Anyone who watched 'The Choir' a few weeks ago will understand how modern boys resent singing to the point of hatred of anyone who confesses to it. Hardly any of the boys in that school were prepared, initially, to give it a go, many of them because they would have lost face in front of their 'friends' for doing so - including the son of a very well-known musician.

When you get zero support (and positive ridicule) for something you're even a little bit good at, you begin to learn that there's no point showing emotion, because it doesn't help. Often, it makes things worse.

I would say he is genuine, but I would also say the programme makers are milking it.

[beejaybee]

i don`t think anyone should tell their "story", so to speak, regardless of how great they are. it`s playing for the sympathy vote.

[bednobs]

i dont tend to watch these "talent" show thingies. Its when they wheel out the grandma's that make me annoyed or when they say "this is my last/only chance" why? if they are talented there will be other chances for them
or when they wheel out a big sob story "i'm doing it for my mum who has cancer" "ive had such a hard life and this i my only opportunity" etc etc.
makes me sick.
Who hasn't had some sad bits in their life? dosen't mean they are talented or should win a comp though

[anotheoldgit]

Totally agree with the last two posts, these sob stories should be banned, and the contestant should depend strictly on their talent alone.

[josie48]

I agree with saxy-jag and bee, Maybe his mum wanted to get the message over about the bullying. Maybe the head at school has'nt done anything about the bullying,who knows? It might have looked like he did'nt show emotion but thats because he was no doubt nervous. There's no better way to get a message over than via the media and I would do the same.