X Factor winner Matt Terry claims his look was ‘too gay’ for live shows

X Factor winner Matt Terry has spoken out about a distressing incident during his time on the ITV talent show, revealing he was once told he looked “too gay” while preparing for a live broadcast. Terry, who won the thirteenth series in 2016, shared the experience during an appearance on The Remember Me Show, where he reflected on the pressures he faced at the height of his early fame.

According to Terry, the remark came from senior production staff as he rehearsed ahead of a live show. After experimenting with a new hairstyle featuring a prominent quiff and blonde highlights, he says he was abruptly pulled out of a sound check and taken to a private room.

The atmosphere immediately shifted, he recalled, describing how “the whole studio” seemed to change once producers intervened. He was then escorted back to the hair and make‑up team, where he was informed - without explanation at first - that his look needed to be changed. Eventually, he was told that producers felt he “looked too gay” for the broadcast and that the highlights did not align with “whatever image they had” in mind for him. 

Terry, who publicly came out as gay in 2024, said the moment left him shocked, hurt, and confused. He described it as a “double whammy”, forcing him to grapple with the comment while still closeted to the public at the time. He also noted that no one on the show had ever addressed his sexuality directly, but he felt there was an implicit expectation that it be kept quiet in order to maintain a particular fan appeal - especially with young female viewers. 

This is not the first time Terry has spoken about feeling pressured to suppress parts of his identity. In earlier interviews, he said he had been told to “tone down” elements of his appearance for similar reasons and that he received “nowhere near” enough support to cope with media scrutiny surrounding his sexuality. He has also acknowledged the toll this took on his mental health, despite being grateful for the career launch the show provided.