Jason Mraz has criticized televised singing contests such as American Idol, saying that it is the producers who are the “real winners”.

Speaking ahead of the show’s finale this weekend, the I’m Yours singer, 45, urged people not to skip the coffee shop steps to achieving success.

In an exclusive conversation with The Mirror, Jason opened up about his experience on the show as a guest singer in 2019, saying he had felt “terrible” during the performance. acting despite having been wildly successful in the industry for 20 years.

The Virginia native said, “I joined Idol and I joined as myself. I wasn’t competing. All I had to do was sing my song. And I was nervous. Because I was there and they looked bored. And I was like, wait, I’m not even playing and I feel terrible performing.”

Explaining how he realized that some people have the sole goal of appearing on such a show, he gave his opinion on how talent is simply displayed in front of the tube. glass according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

He continued: “The show was like, ‘right after the commercial, we’ll meet someone else and then we’ll meet someone else, and then meet someone else’.

“And sometimes you think ‘oh, they’re great’ but at the same time, you’re waiting for something like a car accident, and you’re waiting for some embarrassing moments.”

Jason confessed, “In the end, it feels like the producers of those shows are the winners and the artists, you know, are just part of the joke. Part good and bad. “

However, he admits that if you sign up for the show, you’ll know what you’re getting into, and he added: “My heart goes out to anyone who’s tried those gigs. It’s a valid place to try.”

Instead of trying to make a name for herself on reality shows, the star, who is about to release her eighth studio album, Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, would love to see artists push herself through a more organic route.

He knows there are more avenues available now than when he was a rising artist – and that’s what he “likes”. However, he revealed that he doesn’t want open mic nights or coffee shop gigs to disappear.

“I don’t want that to go away and in some communities it’s going to go away because of how connected we are all on the internet. I like that there’s also more opportunity for independence. But you know what? , luckily, all of that makes sense despite even more competition than ever before.”

Despite his slightly negative thoughts about certain paths in the industry, it’s clear that Jason hasn’t stopped loving his passion.

“I think music is still magical, and that’s great,” he said.

He shared how picking any musical instrument can help him move from feeling like he’s “nothing” to believing he’s “something”.

“I went from silence to sound. I went from darkness to light. It was like the easiest medicine I could take.”

Jason Mraz’s new album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride will be out June 23 on BMG