John Newman shares inspirational message to those disappointed with their exam results

He was kicked out of his music class

John Newman
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 19th Aug 2022

It's that time of the year when exam results come out, and while many are often happy with their results, there are bound to be many who are also disappointed with them. Now, John Newman has shared an inspirational statement about his journey getting into the music industry.

Many will know John Newman as the Number 1-selling singer who has hits like 'Feel The Love' with Rudimental, 'Love Me Again', 'Cheating' and 'Blame' with Calvin Harris. However, John wasn't an overnight success, revealing to fans his set backs at school, he wrote: 'So those getting your results heres my journey. In high school i was kicked out of my music class and had to take a different subject due to my teacher not liking me.

'I then had to go and study mechanics at college because i didn't get the rite grades to get into a music college. In that college my teacher told me i would never be a musician and to give up.' (sic)

John went on to reveal how he ended up getting a scholarship to Leeds College of Music after going for an audition. Despite being laughed at and called a weirdo, he has gone on to have nine Number 1s in the UK as an artist/songwriter/producer and three BRIT Award nominations - quite the achievement, for someone who was told they couldn't study the subject.

Since John posted his message, fans have been commenting with messages of support. One fan wrote: 'Legend #johnnewmanmusic - world needs more of you ❤️', with another saying: 'Fair play John, I've always loved your music 🤘'.

One more fan wrote: 'Always follow your dreams. Never give up. Good for you John.💓😊👍🎶🎤'.

John's breakthrough was in 2012 when he featured on Rudimental's Number 1 hit 'Feel The Love', which he followed up with 'Not Giving In' with Rudimental and Alex Clare. A year later he released his first solo Number 1 'Love Me Again'.

John also dropped his debut Number 1 album 'Tribute', which was certified Platinum in the UK.

Since then, John has gone on to have huge success with the likes of 'Come and Get It', and 'Give Me Your Love' by Sigala featuring him alongside Nile Rodgers.

As mentioned in his message to his fans, he's also a successful songwriter, and has co-written several songs including, Calvin Harris and Tom Grennan's 'By Your Side', Olly Murs' 'Stick With Me' and Galantis' 'Hurricane'.

Celebrities who dropped out of school and found success:

Simon Cowell

Mr Cowell left school having only achieved two O Levels (replaced by GCSEs), but he didn't let that stop him from achieving global success.


Simon is now one of the wealthiest celebrities in the world, despite starting off his career working in a post room at a small record label.


The music mogul now owns his own label, Syco and of course was one of the brains behind the likes of One Direction and Little Mix.

Rihanna

RiRi signed her first record deal at the age of just 16, meaning she left school to focus on making it big in the music industry - and it certainly paid off!


To date, Rihanna has released eight studio albums, with hits like 'Umbrella', 'Diamonds', and Rude Boy', and she's also appeared in a number of successful films.


Rihanna has also made her millions with her Fenty Beauty brand, which she first launched in 2017, and she's officially a billionaire and has been ranked on Forbes' Billionaires list.

Cheryl

It's common knowledge Cheryl wasn't always the sweet Geordie princess we have grown to love and the star left school with very few qualifications.


Determined to embark on a music career, Cheryl won Popstars: The Rivals and went on to achieve global success in Girls Aloud. With various TV roles including her role as a judge on The X Factor and The Greatest Dancer, Cheryl is now worth an estimated £32 million.

Kate Moss

Supermodel Kate Moss didn't even get round to sitting her exams. At the tender age of 14, Kate was signed to a modelling agency and her career took off.


Since then she has established herself as one of the biggest supermodels in the world, modelling for fashion giants including Calvin Klein, she has walked on practically every runway.


Kate, who is now in her late 40s, is worth an estimated £56 million.

Jay Z

American rapper Jay Z is a household name now, but as a youngster, he changed schools frequently and ended up dropping out before graduating.


Of course, that didn't stop him going on to become one of the world's biggest music stars. With hard work and determination, Jay Z, real name Shaun Carter, released his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt' in 1996 and he was the first hip-hop artist to reach billionaire status!

Richard Branson

Billionaire and founder of the Virgin brand, Richard Branson, struggled in school with various learning difficulties but has since flourished and is now one of the most recognised figures in the world of business.


Richard dropped out of school at the age of 16 and set up a student magazine. From there he set up Virgin Records which has now turned into one of the biggest businesses in the world, comprising over 400 companies.


Not to mention the fact he owns an entire tropical island and he's been to space!

Cameron Diaz

Popular actress Cameron Diaz left school at the age of 17 after being offered a modelling contract, despite this not going to plan, Cameron's hard work and determination paid off when she broke into the acting world.


Since then Cameron has starred in some huge films including Bad Teacher, There's Something About Mary and The Other Woman and is now worth an estimated $140 Million.

Dougie Poynter

The McFly man left school at the age of 16 after getting a small number of GSCEs. Dougie focused his skills into songwriting and was in fact writing the band's debut album during his final year at school.


Of course, Dougie went on to achieve huge success with McFly.


Not stopping there, Dougie has also created best-selling children's books with bandmate Tom Fletcher and even owns a couple of fashion labels!

Robbie Williams

Former Take That member Robbie Williams was predicted fantastic grades at school but actually failed every single one.


Not giving up, Robbie focused on his music career and has enjoyed an amazing career both in a group with Take That and as a solo artist.


Robbie also set up his own fashion label called Farrell Clothing and does amazing work for charity.

Whoopi Goldberg

She's now a successful actor, TV presenter, comedian and author, but Whoopi Goldberg had to work hard for her success. The actress dropped out of school and after years of hard work she landed her debut role in 1985 as Celie in The Color Purple.


Since then, Whoopi has become a household name around the world for her work, and now she's worth an estimated $60 million.

Lord Alan Sugar

The business guru and The Apprentice star started his working life at a greengrocers, having left school at the age of 16 with zero qualifications.


Lord Sugar soon used his entrepreneurial skills and turned to selling electronic gadgets, the business soon escalated and now he is worth a staggering £1 billion!

Tom Cruise

Hollywood legend Tom Cruise struggled his way through school with dyslexia but with hard work, the actor got himself into the acting business. The rest, as they say, is history!


Tom has starred in some of the biggest films to hit the big screen including the Mission Impossible franchise and of coruse Top Gun. He is now worth an estimated $600 million.

Chris Rock

He's one of the biggest comedians around now, but Chris Rock actually dropped out of school in tenth grade. As well as a successful comedian, Chris has also appeared in huge movies such as Grown Ups, The Longest Yard and even Madagascar!


Chris is now worth an estimated £48 million.

Eminem

Eminem, real name Marshall Bruce Mathers, has previously opened up about 'failing the ninth grade' three times, before eventually dropping out at the age of 17, admitting he couldn't focus at school because he just wanted to rap.


After leaving school, Eminem worked hard to break into the industry, dropping his debut album in 1996. The rapper went on to enjoy an amazing career across the world, dropping hits like 'Lose Yourself', 'Not Afraid' and 'My Name Is', to name a few.


Eminem is now worth an estimated £185 million.

John Newman

John Newman wasn't allowed to study music at school because his teacher didn't like him, he then went to college to study mechanics and was told he would never be a musician and to give up.
Despite these set backs he went for an audition at a music college and was awarded a scholarship.
Now, John is a very successful singer, songwriter and producer having had nine Number 1s to his name.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about Calvin Harris

9 of John Newman's biggest hits so far

Everything you need to know about Sigala

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