Originally Posted by CatO9Tales:
“To be honest, I haven't found it so difficult to reconcile the two.
Although there are some great interviews, etc., where Jay is confident and outgoing, there are others where he is clearly less comfortable and in those he's inclined to withdraw. He's often self-conscious, too - the "Dad" dancing, for example, and at times he's much less confident in his vocals than at others.
If you are a person who lacks self-belief or self-esteem, it can take a lot of time to become comfortable in a new situation. In the Wanted, Jay was in a group of people (not just the band but the support team, too) he felt comfortable with. Also, Jay had been out of the spotlight for a little while and perhaps he had become comfortable with that.
As far as I'm concerned, the problem with Strictly was the failure to understand or act on the need to nurture. I want to see a programme like that work to bring the best out of people, not make it into "survival of the fittest" - that's what BB and I'm a Celebrity are for (both of which I loathe)
Speedy - thank you for that link. Love that performance from Jay - I like his voice. It is more distinctive than the others in the band. And is it me or did Nathan have to turn every live performance into a showcase for his own vocals?”
You're absolutely right about Jay's apparent lack of confidence, he wasnt just self-effacing and self-deprecating in the show, it ran all through TW but then he would also often take the lead in interviews and really sparkle. That's what was /is so fascinating in watching the YT clips...you never know which Jay you'll get.
My reaction to his first few appearances on the main show was very much as Tom described in the final Friday panel on ITT...'say something...anything!'. Oh how I wanted him to sparkle! He did though...just in his own way, at his pace.
Originally Posted by
ahouch:
“Jay on the radio at lunchtime today:
https://twitter.com/spin1038/status/741572483015397376”
Setting my phone to record...just in case. Thanks for the heads up. Oh and the review...loved it
Originally Posted by fatskia:
“BIB
That struck me too - how different Jay was on ITT to Strictly. He came across very well indeed on ITT - except for the one toddler choice of words occasion.
Jay was new to me and I have over the years followed Aliona's interaction with her celebs. With Jay it was similar and also different. Similar in that she tends to get on very well with them and adapts her teaching to suit them, and now has a very clear picture in her head of what the Strictly audience appreciates or needs.
Different in that she was very familiar with Jay from the start. I had to get used to that and I think Vincent and Jay had to get used to that. I think the thing that made that all work, was a maturity, and strength of character in Jay that I hadn't anticipated. He's the sort of guy that has principles and can be trusted. Like Aliona.
Jay did seem to be a mixture of boy/man, and there was a lot of talk about him becoming a man on the show. Aliona straight away accepted Jay as he was and basically began projecting that he doesn't need to change - you really ought to get to know what he is like. I eventually said she basically set up The Jay Nature Reserve.
It was interesting after they won, that Jay said he thought he was still the same person as at the start - just a lot better at being on Strictly.”
I was thrilled when Jay was paired with
A lion. My absolute favourite pro, male or female, not just for her dancing and choreography but precisely for the reasons you put forward Fatskia. She's such a wonderful and intuitive teacher.
BIB Just as I was saying above about Jay in interviews and him sparkling, in his own way and at his pace. He worked out how to remain true to himself within the remit of SCD.
ETA
A lion...haha! Stooopid auto correct...leaving it though...rather appropriate
ETA2 Pitstop! 👋
Now the CCC hair I'm puzzled by. There's a behind the scenes clip that shows Jay in full costume ascending the stairs to enter the stage but his hair isn't pinned up. I can only think that was dress rehearsal and for some reason it was decided last minute to pin it back. Well it was still better than poodle-perm for me.”
