Superstar: Nathan James “read the riot act” for reducing production staff to tears!
It seems that Jesus wannabe Nathan James – who is one of just five remaining finalists on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s talent quest show Superstar – is earning a reputation as a right diva backstage…
But what’s more, he’s apparently been so nasty to some of the production crew that Superstar’s bosses have “read him the riot act” over the weekend.
The Sun reports that Nathan reduced a female member of the production team to tears last week when he lambasted her for not ensuring enough seats in the audience were reserved for his family and friends.
He also apparently screamed at the show’s make-up artists, telling them, “Never touch the hair!”
One unnamed source at the show said, “He must think he already is Jesus to be getting away with this sort of stuff…
“He is acting how a small man thinks a big star acts, but really he is making a proper show of himself – no big celebrities act like that. It’s unprofessional.
“You don’t see Lord Lloyd-Webber screaming and throwing his toys out of the pram.”
And of the incident over reserving seats for Nathan’s family and friends, the source said, “He had exceeded his ticket allocation and brought extra guests.
“It wasn’t the first time he pulled that stunt but this time seats couldn’t be found so he humiliated a member of staff and reduced her to tears.
“It was unsightly to watch and everyone is horrified.”
Yikes.
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dont believe all the s**t in the sun and the star are they worried that a luvvie wont win
Interesting, but unbelievable. I have just seen tonight’s result, and it was clear that ALW has a bias against Nathan for whatever reason, so it was pointless for him to continue, despite singing and acting far better than Roger, (and being potentially more credible in the role). So Roger has been ‘saved’ yet again by His Lordship’.
Agree – not sure I like Nathan (not because of any reports of diva behaviour, but because he comes across as a bit of a poser), but he definitely out-sang and out-acted Roger in the sing off
nathan voted off? i’ve switched off too! what an awful show! dawn french can only seem to do sexual innuendo (done much better by julian clary) and it was totally uncomfortable viewing watching them go for the jugular with nathan. a man i might add that outsung and out performed ALL of them every night! what a fix! roger sweats profusely after one 1.30minute song so how’s he gonna sing for 2 hours??? as for the others i just don’t see them doing it. its a part of a rock opera for a rock opera voice and that WAS nathan – i think dawn french should have gotten voted off! keep the catty comments with sharon osbourne as she does a far better job that and old bird on heat!
Apparently there’s a resurrection tonight!
i think the british public are far more intelligent than to believe anything that is written in the main stream media!
I mean where do you get this stuff from. It’s made up and totally ridiculous. Those that know Nathan know this is just sensationalism and poor journalism at its best. Get real and start reporting on things that are TRUE people.
I don’t buy the Sun. Was it an exclusive? What did they say about the other contenders? Whatever he did or didn’t do he does have a great voice. Hope there aren’t too many gullible voters who think you have to be gentle Jesus meek and mild to play him. ( Which of the others is perfect? Do we know?)Vote FOR the performance not AGAINST the guy who attracts the most adverse publicity.
Lmao. Is that the best they could do? The Diva Tantrum!!!!! so very dated. lol… Go Nathan, rise above it.
Another ludicrous story made up by the press! If someone has real talent is it really necessary to try and bring them down with lies! This makes me so angry that the lies and speculation from our press could damage someone’s potentially bright future! When will the British press realise that we are ALL human and a human trait is to make mistakes…now come on people vote for talent and who will b the right Jesus…not for speculative rubbish…Nathan is sincere and finds the comments damaging which could wreck his chances of winning the competition!
I like Nathan, but, just cannot see the humility in him to play Jesus.Mike is good, but, does not have the look of Jesus, I think long hair would not look right, and, all has to be 101%, to play this wonderful exacting part. As the truly lovely singers and actors Jon, and, also, Geoff have gone, there is only Ben left, he is so Professional and gives 100% everytime!!. Ben to win, as, he is so sincere, he could make me cry, as, Jesus,bless him.
Nathan seems the natural Jesus, and even he has the intelligence to know that acting like a ‘diva’ will ruin his chances so I don’t believe the story…
Just because you have dyed long blonde looks, does not mean he is good enough, or mature enough to play Jesus. I am sure he has not being acting the Diva, too much at stake for him and the others. Must have said somethings as a joke, bless. Ben, maybe to win!!.
What did the lord say to him tonight???
Interesting, but unbelievable. I have just seen tonight’s result, and it was clear that ALW has a bias against Nathan for whatever reason, so it was pointless for him to continue, despite singing and acting far better than Roger, (and being potentially more credible in the role). So Roger has been ‘saved’ yet again by His Lordship’.
I think the way this is set up allows ALW to keep his favourites, and at the end there will be no transparency in the voting
Not only ALW they all had it in for Nathan last night. JD was particularly obnoxious. After saying on Friday “just when you thought things couldn’t get any better Nathan comes along…. I wish I had your voice. I wish I had your gift” he says last night Jeff gave the best rock performance on Friday! Sure, the guy was good but Nathan blew everyone away.
Behind the scenes Nathan must have severely ruffled a lot of feathers. On stage he gives a fantastic, professional performance. He’s perfected his singing talent. Maybe he has to work on his people skills.
Nathan’s a phenomenal rock singer – probably too good to be wasted on a sissy musical anyway!
Guys great singer but you dont tweet “girls if you wanna see me half naked at the O2 arena plz vote”.
Then tweeted during the show Andrew Webber hates me
vote for me and prove him wrong.
ooops
I am very sad. I think Nathan has a God given voice – I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more outstanding voice and he’s so ***-ing sexy with it, but he’s blown it. Having already been involved with theatre productions he should know better. Whatever ‘role’ you have in life, you can’t treat people disrespectfully. So sadly, he’s just a little less sexy than he was 48 hours ago and he’s going to have to learn to grow up if he wants to be a real star. Shame, Nathan. What a waste.
Its pretty sad that people don’t look below the surface. You can’t believe everything you hear or read. Having been lied about,bullied and gossiped about in the work place I know there is more than one side to every story. All managers should know that. It was ALW job to make sure he knew what was going on,(not sure he did).In ticking Nathan off in public Lord Webber and Dawn French actually did worse to him than he did to the tearful “production assistant”. Q humiliating really. Nathan maybe has some growing up to do but if he had an outburst at the production assistant maybe he/she was useless at “producing”. He/she has certainly had their revenge. Anyway if we examined the characters of the other contestants- are they so perfect??? ALW is old enough to realise that no-one is pure – especially Superstar competitors!
The show was just so biased it’s a joke! He didn’t even get to sing much of the Take That song either. The daggers were out as soon as the show began and Dawn got her pound of flesh in the process! This musical is dangerously close to being mediocre now. Nathan was the only one there with a true rock musical presence and a voice that you’d pay to see. I’d advise Nathan to release Jump by Van Halen as that’s what I’d tell the judges to do! I look forward to Nathan releasing a decent rock album rather than wasting his time trying to please the luvies!
I can only assume that “Production Staff” must be very fragile these days! I find it hard to credit any truth whatsoever to this story anyhow, or to any of the other nonsense printed by the Sun. Lloyd Webber himself was little more than a playground bully on tonight’s show. Unforgivably rude both to the remarkably talented Nathan James & members of the audience. Obviously biased. Don’t know how he dares to talk about professionalism. The lot of them just didn’t have a clue.
I was at the show tonight, sitting right behind the judges, and it was quite clear that all of them were annoyed with Nathan about something. I’m quite sure this wouldn’t just be based on something they’d read in The Sun. Nathan’s performance in the sing off was far superior, but if he doesn’t have the backing of the composer it’s pointless putting him through.
If I may say my opinion on it, ” Jesus Christ Superstar ” is a Rock Opera and been an inspiration for many great real Rock Musicians . Don’t know if any of the voters actually seen the original . It’s not the Crap Factor ( X Factor I meant ) . In order to play the role of Jesus , the actor have actually to have a Rock Singer vocal ability and the only one who was really up for the role was Nathan . No one else!!! Ben is a great vocalist but doesn’t have a rock voice. Roger is a great vocalist, probably one of the best in there but again ” too perfect ” for the role. Bloody hell watch the original J.C. so you can have an idea .Without Nathan on the show , there is no point on actually go to see it as it has lost all it’s rock power. Sorry Webber but very very disappointed at this round
It’s been clear from day one that ALW had something against Nathan and in not sure why he even put him through. I’ve been feeling increasingly uncomfortable watching the judges comments about him on the show, especially dawn French and ALW. Last night though, was a different ball game, they acted absolutely disgustingly towards him. The show was edited to make Nathan look bad, he got the worst singing bits all evening, and what they said to him was awful. He’s only 23 and he hasn’t ever tweeted anything that could be deemed as bad, yes he said ALW hates me please vote and prove him wrong but that was after yet another slating and the poor guy must of felt bullied on national tv. Don’t believe the papers for one second, it’s all propaganda to make him look bad. I follow the other contestants tweets too and David also tweeted a pic of himself with the wreath on. Nothing was said about that!!
It was painfully obvious last night that ALW had decided that Nathan had to go. The VT’s that were run before each of finalists songs, painted him in the most awful light, the rest were so cuddly and fluffy. OK he may have done or said some things that were a little ill-considered, but the guy is only 23 and boy can he sing. Ian Gillan was the original Jesus and the only person in this show that could possibly come close to performing it the way it was written was Nathan. Saw the original West End production a number of times and if Nathan had got the part I might have been tempted to go back for more; there was an edginess to him. But now it would appear that the ‘public’ are going to receive a very bland, quite boring JCS. Big shame.
Hi
I don’t normally write on these things but my whole family have followed this show from the start and have loved watching it up until last night. We were shocked at the lack of professionalism displayed on last night’s show by both Dawn French and Andrew Lloyd weber. He might be a diva (who knows) however regardless of this his performance outshone Roger’s and therefore he should have stayed. It has put a nasty taint on watching the show. We were going to book our tickets to see the show this weekend but have decided not to now. It’s a terrible shame and I’m sure that a lot of people feel the same about what happened last night.
Nathan was superb in the sing off but should never have been in that position in the first place. If he had upset anyone – judges or production team then that issue should have been addressed before in a professional manner and not during the live show. It is a shame that viewers appear to have been influenced!
I wont be watching the rest of the show now – when watching all the performers together, Nathan is the one my eyes were drawn to – he would have made an excellent Jesus as he has incredible stage presence. Hopefully he will go on to have a glittering career as the magical rock singer that he is.
Totally agree.
Yes completely and totally agree with these comments. I think it was completely unprofessional to outright diss him on National television. If Andrew had such a huge problem then he should have solved it privately and not publicly as he did. I think it was totally unfair to try and turn the viewers and voters against Nathan like that. It was completely unnecessary and such a huge loss to what could have been an amazing end to the series. I like Ben but Nathan had the rock voice for the Rock Opera so he should have been kept in. But as others have said ALW made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of Nathan’s and it’s such a pity because he was just fantastic!! And again my eyes were drawn to him during all the group performances too! Such a natural on stage! I will not be going to see JCS either. Much as I love Ben, I loved Nathan more. Sorry Ben! Just don’t agree with the way that Nathan was basically kicked off the show!
Last night’s show was the last straw for me and my family,Andrew Lloyd Webber’s treatment of Nathan was very I’ll judged and confirmed my belief that what you have is a panel of judges who have already made their mind up that the terribly dull but nice ‘Ben’ is their choice of Jesus.
Webber has waxed lyrical about the need for passion,character and energy from his contestants so it makes it all the more puzzling when gentle Ben and Roger continually receive rave reviews for their static,charisma free performances of songs clearly chosen to fit their limited vocal range.
Nathan,young Ards lad Jeff and Rory are the only contestants that have the correct voice for the role and both Nathan and Jeff showed bucket loads of charisma and energy in their performances but the judges always found fault.
In all Superstar is now a poor show that’s wheezing over the finish line leaving a bad taste in the mouth of the viewer. Dawn French started the show well adding good humor but has now become a crushing bore over her infatuation with Roger and I am sure other contestants found her gushing both unfair and off putting.This is all leading up to a very dull production of Jesus Christ Superstar as none of the remaining contestants have any of the qualities required to rock an arena( Rory’s voice aside).my daughters desire to go see the show diminished completely after last nights show.
Didn,t like Nathan from the first audition, too much screaming and full of himself.
You’re all missing the point. Nathan could be the most talented person on earth, but if the production team, one of the principals, and the guy putting up the money for the show, feel they can’t work with him, it is pointless putting him through. The problem is not who is eliminated, but the fact that the public are led to believe it is their choice, which clearly it isn’t. I don’t think it’s fixed at all, but there is definitely a preference on the part of ALW, and the rest of the panel. It’s costing him a huge amount of money to put on the tour, he’s not going to allow someone he can’t work with to star in it.
Well said. Exactly right. Which begs the question of why anyone wants to make expensive phone calls to subsidies the production, when the result is manipulated, and there is no transparency in the vote counts, so Nathan may not have even been in the bottom two.
Too rock’nroll for a musical that is outdated and PC.
Why is Dawn french on the panel? She is ridiculous, ha snot a clue what she is talking about, and the constant inuendos are sickening
I have followed the show from the start and whilst I was initially transfixed by Nathan and his powerful performance with which he ended the show last week, I have to admit that I was extremely disappointed by him on Monday evening. Whilst I agree with many others that Nathan ‘has the look’ and completely blew me away with his performances, there is much more to the role than that! I feel that other contestants have more humility and are far more ‘grounded’ and humbled by the whole experience than Nathan obviously is – I was disappointed last night in that I saw for myself an air of arrogance and an extremely egotistical personality, one which obviously needs to mature.
It is a shame – he is an outstanding performer and rock singer, but for me, that is where it ends. There is no substance and ‘staying power’…..other contestants have the willingness and desire to learn, grow and achieve by this experience….I am afraid that Nathan will simply ‘move on’. I feel the judges have been spot on with their comments so far with all contestants and will watch the remaining shows with interest. I felt that both Jeff and John, along with Roger, sang brilliantly during the sing-off; John was extremely expressive, which I believe would have been a great asset.
From the above article
“You don’t see Lord Lloyd-Webber screaming and throwing his toys out of the pram.”
How ironic – that’s exactly what we DID see! ALW has lost a lot of viewers for this show of disgraceful behaviour.
Too rock for Webber these days, Nathan outstripped Roger in the sing off both vocally & on an acting front by some margin, however, it was clear to all the public from the off that Nathan was gone last night.
The cynical might wonder if he was actually manouvered into the bottom two so Webber could say goodbye.
And if you thought this was about the best person for the job winning then you’re sadly mistaken, it was there for us all to see.
Also Webber doesnt mind using the media for his ends to promote his shows & earn money but doent like the fact competitors do it, Really ALW people in glasshouses etc & the tantrum you threw over it……….
Listen! What ALW did to Nathan on Live Tv was bloody appalling!!!! And the panel and the VT constantly painted him in a negative way! I’m sorry but thing show is fixed!!! How can a singer who has ever featured in the bottom 2 suddenly (after ALW’s unprofessional rant) appear very conveniently in the bottom 2. The Nathan blows roger completely off the stage, and ALW STILL picks Roger?????? A stunningly corrupt descion!!! ALW AND DAEN FRENCH should have a good hard look at the way they bullied is poor boy out of the show!!! Well I won’t be going to see it! If Nathan was leading the production I’d be there in a flash! I fear that an average safe middle of the road singer like Ben will now win and make one of the best shows very avverage! Especially when you consider Chris Noyles and Mel C are I it!!! YAWN!!!!!!!!! For that role you need a rock singer with power stage presence and impact!! I know cos a good friend of mind Steve Balsamo had the role in the west end for several years!! And he is the bench mark for theses singers to match themselves against! Only I e could get near him, and that is Nathan!!!! I feel so sorry for him! But I believe bigger and better thing lay in store for this talented singer!!!!
I know why Nathan ended up in the bottom two in the first place. For all of 15 minutes I tried to get through to vote for him but all I could get on HIS number was the engaged signal. Yes you’re right it WAS a fix.
ALW could afford to be magnanimous in the final show – having got what he wanted – or rather having got rid of what he didn’t want. Me I doubt the the veracity of the vote as well but all the other tricks in the book were used, running order, song choice, snide comments, leaked allegations to the press. Anyhow I suggest you all take a look at some of the comments on ALW’s Facebook page. I’ve heard about one of the issues that ALW was supposed to have had and it was not a biggy, imo. The ego has truly landed – and I’m not talking about Nathan.
Oh My God!!!!!!!!! I actually can’t believe that!!! That’s totally and completely not on!!! I had a feeling but I didn’t think it was true!!! That is a real disgrace!!! It really and truly is!!! I’ve never been more annoyed in my life!!! I really haven’t!!!
Totally agree 100% with everything you just said (above). Bigger and much better things lie in store for him in a very bright future!! It was just awful the way he was treated before he left the show and I think I do believe that it was fixed! Can’t believe the fact that Nathan suddenly ended up in the bottom two when he was saved every other time. That is very suspicious indeed! I don’t believe that he upset any of the production team either. I can’t imagine how a lovely gentle person like him could make someone cry, I really don’t believe that! And he left in great spirits! He was so humble about the whole thing and left with great dignity even though he was beaten quite harshly on live television that same night! So big credit to him for leaving with a smile!!
I am no longer following the show. Not because Nathan was my fave but because of the apparent fixing and Lloyd Webbers outburst.
He’s supposed to be the professional here!
They surely have rules and a ‘code of practice? If Nathan was that bad they should have just booted him off the show. That said it’s not that long ago that a talent show positively promoted a certain contestant’s bad boy image because it suited their PR machine.
It leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
I DID watch last night’s show, well most of it, but it had lost so much of its attraction and sparkle without Nathan.
As soon as the show started on Monday I would have put money on him being voted off by one means or another.Even the clip chosen to be shown before his performance gave a less favourable impression of Nathan than that of every other contestant.
Each of the judges has consistently praised his wonderful singing but there have been frequent allusions, not always overt, to his off screen behaviour and reaction to criticism. This can surely be interpreted as a not too subtle attempt to sway the voting public. I don’t like knocking the others but hey anyone being totally objective would say that Nathan outsang Roger in the sing off, with his last note alone. I lost any respect
I have for ALW on Monday. His attack was personal, unprofessional and totally inappropriate in public.
I love the musical( and might even agree that there’d be more scope for Nathan as Judas) but those already cast would have difficulty commanding any attention if they had to share the stage with him. Maybe this is part of the problem. If so, why can’t they be honest about it.
Why would you expect AWL to save someone he, and the rest of the panel, didn’t like??
@Rosie
Unless you have inside information we are not to know whether the panel didn’t like him. It could just be they were taking their lead from their Lord and master!
That said your point does apply to ALW. However he should simply have got rid IF Nathan was breaching some T&C. He handled it very badly and actually made a false accusation in the process!
This sort of thing certainly shows up these shows for what they are – a way to coin money from a gullible public.
Such a shame that wonderful expressive vocally Talented Joh got voyted off. If he had been made Jesus I would have paid good money to see him. He had the look of Jesus, was exciting in his voice and acting abilty, but all ALW saw and heard was a Cruise Liner singer!!!. I also liked Geoff, he could have grown into the part, as tome went on, I truly believe this. Nathan just was not right for Jesus, he is a true Rocker Billy, and did shout and scream his noytes, as good rock Singers do, but, had no humility or, very good acting skills to turn this all around and be in anyway like a Jesus. Roger is just a great Lion King, he even has the look and eyes of a Lion, but, much to smooth to be Jesus. Ben will be great as Jesus, but, not awe inspiring as Jon or Geoff would have been, and, poor, but so hardworking, Mike, does not look anything like a Jesus, even with a long wig!.I have always loved Rory, but, has not got the tall impressive stature, that, maybe Jesus had, but, is second in vocal quality to lovely John!. I shall not be going to The Show, sorry to say!. ALW saw the quality of Jesus, when he pulled Jon into being the 11th Jesus, shame , he could not have seen any further than that!!!!!.
Resurrection – a brief back page apology from ALW to Nathan just before the denouement, saying that he had been so impressed by Nathan’s final humility that he wanted to work with him as well!
Well he got the one he wanted by a highly manipulated public vote, (not that we would ever see an audited result) , and I am sure Ben will do a great job. I can’t help thinking tht Nathan might have been better.
i so agree! i remember one of the “nancy’s” losing out and when i went to see Wicked last year she had the role of the green witch so they do get positions! i think ALW did a HUGE manipulation! afterall with roger and his profuse sweating after just one song and his voice cracking up after his first sing off i couldn’t believe he was saved as nathan sung his part of the sing off just a ALW wants it done and even without his fabulous vocal gymnastics he was the better singer but it was obvious that roger was going to get through. if nathan is the diva we are all being made to believe then what is wrong with naked ambition? all he’s done is shout BEFORE he is famous whereas famous people shout AFTER!
I started watching Superstar 2 days ago “ON DEMAND” I just listen to the singing and watch the performance. I fast forward the talking, meeting friends and family etc…. If a performance is good I watch it, if its rubbish I fast forward.
I didnt know anything about any of the contestants. I just know that I watched ALL of Nathans songs!!!
Today I have watched the judges comments and read about “the Diva” I dont know whats true and whats not all i know is…I watched ALL of Nathans songs.!!!
Glad Ben won, there is something very calming about Ben. Sad for Rory as he has a great voice too, but, Ben,s acting is better than Rory,s. Still think either Jon or Geoff should have been Jesus!!.
If Nathan (supposedly) needs to tone it down and learn some humility, the big wigs in the business such as ALW should have offered guidance or constructive criticism rather than carelessly knock him down night after night. Feeling like you are hated won’t help a person!
What does ALW want anyway? A push over he can just boss around and critise without receiving response?
Was so sad to see Nathan leave – you could tell by the look in his eyes that he knew what was coming when the bottom two were announced. Good on him for really belting it at the end and not crumbling!
Look forward to seeing him in bigger better brighter things!