Sonu Nigam opposes ‘always praising’ contestants on reality shows: ‘We aren’t here to spoil these kids’

Sonu Nigam said that judges on reality shows should not only praise contestants on reality shows. His comments come months after the Indian Idol 12 controversy where Amit Kumar claimed that he was asked to praise every contestant, irrespective of his opinion.

Singer Sonu Nigam, who has formerly been a judge on Indian Idol, said that ‘always praising’ contestants on reality shows is counterproductive. His comments come months after singer and radio host Amit Kumar claimed that he was asked to praise the contestants of Indian Idol 12 when he appeared on the show as a special judge for an episode.

Sonu Nigam is a former Indian Idol judge.

Without taking any names, Sonu Nigam said that if judges don’t give ‘honest feedback’ to contestants, they will not learn. He said that only praising them is akin to ‘spoil(ing)’ them.

Talking to a leading daily, Sonu said, “As a judge, we are here to teach something to the contestants. We should give honest feedback to the participants. Always praising them won’t do any good. Humesha wah wah karoge toh kaise hoga (how will it work, if you always praise them)? We aren’t here to spoil these kids. Even the contestants won’t understand when they have performed well and when they haven’t if we keep praising them.”

Earlier, in a video shared on Instagram, Sonu reacted to the controversy surrounding Indian Idol 12 and defended Amit Kumar. He had said, “Seedhe aadmi hai, shareef aadmi hai, kuch bolte nahi hai, he is maintaining a dignified silence. Uska aap log undue advantage le rahe hai (He is a simple and honest man, and undue advantage is being taken of his dignified silence).” He has also urged the media and the Indian Idol team to end the matter.