He became famous as the rocking “Idol” winner who went there for drug crimes. After being away from the big stage for 13 long years, Jay Smith is now finally back – this time as a country artist in the “Melodifestivalen”.
– You are a little older now, see things a little differently, he says in an interview with Nöjeslivet.
With his rock style and voice took Jay Smith42, both the “Idol” jury and the viewers by storm in 2010. They were so taken that they sent him all the way to the final of the Globe – and once there he hit Minnah Karlsson.
He thus became the seventh “Idol” winner ever in Sweden. Jay released singles and a debut album that same year. Even his band – for he was no novice to the scene if we say so – Von Benzo pumped out new music in the same vein.
Jay Smith won “Idol” in 2010. Photo: Sören Andersson/TT
During the time he was in “Idol”, he was arrested for drug offenses when he was caught smoking hashish. In fact, he went there for drug possession several times.
In addition, he was arrested in 2013 on suspicion of punching a policeman in the forehead.
Jay Smith was close to death
During a period in his life – in connection with the passing of his girlfriend of 20 years and then also his father – things were going really bad for Jay. He himself came close to losing his life in a drug-related incident.
– When I ended up in the hospital, they told my mother that if I had between five and ten hours left to live, he told News24 year 2013.
Jay survived fortunately and then his mother helped him choose the right path in life.
– Without my mother, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here today. It’s a lot because of her that I try to stay on track, he said.
“Idol” killed hard rock
After being forgotten by most Swedes, the scandal-ridden Jay Smith is now back on the big stage – 13 years after the victory in “Idol”. He is to take part in the fifth part of the “Melodifestivalen”.
Those who expect him to be as rock-solid as the last time he appeared on television will perhaps be disappointed. He has changed genres.
– I’ve been doing Americana and country music for a while now. I think “Idol” killed hard rock a little bit for me actually. It turned out a little like that. In a program like that, there is not much room for nuance, so when you bring out an aspect of yourself, that is what is highlighted all the time. After I finished there, I didn’t quite get the same warm feeling in my chest from that music anymore. I started looking further and then I found country. It felt good, he says in an interview with Nöjeslivet.
Jay Smith sings “Back to my roots” in heat 5 on Saturday. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT
– We already sent in the contribution last year, but it didn’t arrive then. So it turned out this year instead, he says.
Got the question about “Mello” earlier
It is actually thanks to his sister’s song that he chose to perform in the “Melodifestivalen”. He had been asked once before and initially said yes, when he was not “in his right mind”. Then he called up, apologized and said he didn’t want to join. He was then replaced by Sean Banan.
– It was a very long time ago. You are a little older now, see things a little differently. My sister and Viktor had a good song and we thought we’d write it and see if it could work for me and it did, he says.
Jay Smith’s life after “Idol”
He may not have been on TV for 13 years – but he’s been involved in music the whole time anyway. A few years ago, he also took a regular job on the side of his music career. He did it for a special reason.
– I’ve been out playing all year round since then (since the “Idol” win). It was when I became a father that I also started working as a roofer. I needed to shore up the finances a bit. Then I worked as a roofer for three and a half years and then I took a sabbatical now and focused on music for a while, he says.
It really is a new Jay who is now performing in “Mellon”. He tries to ignore the fact that people probably still remember him as a scandal person.
– That is the past. It was a messy time as well. It’s different times now. I am a father and husband. So it’s a different thing, so to speak, he says and continues:
– I don’t think I can do anything about people remembering me like that. Those who see me like that must see me like that.
Good luck in the “Melodifestivalen”, Jay. Hope it goes well for you and that people like your song.
Who do you think will win the “Melodifestivalen”? Feel free to comment.
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