I'm not a shiny pop star.
— James Arthur
Everyone wrote me off, including me.
Yes I got into things with girls who only liked me because of who I was. But I learnt my lesson quickly.
I want to help people to get to know my story and really tell them in detail what I've been through.
I'm a positive guy, even if I don't smile a lot.
There had to be a point where I had to stop feeling sorry for myself.
I'm not saying none of these guys are talented, but people think Ed Sheeran crawled off a couch and lived on the street or something, but him, Ellie Goulding... they all come from Suffolk, Surrey, Richmond... they come from support.
My approach is to be open and honest.
If you haven't got help, all you can do is make good music.
One of my fans made a lifelike doll of me. It was incredible - it looked just like me - but an effigy is kinda weird.
For me, I've always been the guy who self-sabotages.
My first instinct is always to fight back because ever since I was a kid, that's what I've always had to do to survive.
I've always thought I'm pretty ugly.
You do need money to make a good demo; you do need a bit of financial support.
I've made mistakes, and I'm very aware of them, and I've tried to better myself from those mistakes.
I really want to work with Eminem. I know it will never happen, but I would love if he let me do a hook on one of his songs or he featured on one of my songs. It would be incredible. I've just always admired him since I was young.
I don't do media training. I don't do that.
I'd like to think that maybe the average person is rational, and they realise that I'm not this crazy monster that, at times, I've been perceived to be.
I really want to do acting, and I don't want to be typecast because of my tattoos.
What's fulfilling is being happy and being able to help other people. The simple things.
I went from absolutely nothing to a lot of people judging me overnight, and it was really tough for me.
I've always looked over my shoulder, especially in my hometown.
My music is about love, and I don't discriminate against any type of person.
I think Justin Bieber and Zayn have both been listening to me a lot, and they basically wanna be me.
I don't know if speaking to a therapist is right for everyone.
I had nothing and lived in the most insignificant place.
It's always amazing when a fan will say you've helped them through some kind of adversity.
People were telling me it was refreshing I was real because previous 'X Factor' winners were too afraid to say anything. I decided to go against the grain. But I took it too far.
'The X Factor' saved me.
There's no doubt in my mind or anyone else's mind that people like Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, and Sam Smith are where they are because they're supremely talented people, and I have a lot of respect for them.
I think a lot of things get blown out of proportion in the media.
I'm trying this thing where I don't regret as much 'cause it doesn't really work that well to regret things.
I don't think about consequences too much.
I was asked, 'Why do you think the male 'X Factor' winners haven't been successful in the past?' And I said, 'Because obviously the body of work that they've brought out wasn't good enough,' and that was it.
I'm always going to have to manage my mental health issues.
I'm a Honey G fan. She can spit some vibes on one of my songs; she's got rhymes for days! She's gangster. I love her.
Not only was I an 'X Factor' winner that got dropped by Syco - and when that happens, you're never heard of again - but everyone thought I was a clown.
Inside, I'm optimistic.
It can feel like your whole world is caving in on you, and if you don't speak about it, it gets worse. You have to talk about your problems.
I think Sam Smith's dad got a huge loan or something to help his career. Those things can help artists get attention, but I guess my song 'Say You Won't Let Go' proved it's about the song.
I don't think I made it clear where I was mentally when I appeared on 'X Factor.' There was so much pressure and a lot of judging. But I wanted to take a chance on the show because I wanted to make something of myself. 'X Factor' seemed like the only way out.
I got offered loads of reality shows, including 'I'm A Celebrity' and 'Celebrity Big Brother.'
I always made my songs very conversational, and if anyone ever has a conversation with me, they know I'm a very open guy, very open and honest.
I have a fan who suffered with leukemia, and apparently, the only thing that helped him through that was my music, so of course that's the ultimate sense of achievement. It's an incredible feeling.
I grew up in a house full of women - I have four sisters. I'm more feminine than some gay men.
People had told me to try 'The X Factor' for years, but I thought I'd be moody and hate it all. But it's what I needed. I asked Mum and Dad to come to my 'X Factor' audition, and it was the first time that they'd been in the same room in years.
I was on the dole.
I've always maintained a good relationship with Simon Cowell, and obviously I have a great respect for him, and his show provided me with a platform to reach a lot of people, so I have the upmost respect for Simon Cowell.
My Number 1 Award is going to go on my mantelpiece, and I'll probably kiss it for two weeks solid every time I pass it!
I've done a few face palms after things I've said because it's stupid. But if I'm not like that, I won't feel human anymore. I'll just feel like some robot saying what I'm supposed to say. I think that's when people lose it.
