--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before all this happened, I always used…" description: "\"Before all this happened, I always used to see my stammer as being a negative, all my life, but then when I went on 'Pop Idol,' and the first time I sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/gareth-gates-16580_advantage_before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-t_1336978.png" --- # Before all this happened, I always used to see my stammer… ![“Before all this happened, I always used to see my stammer as being a negative, all my life, but then when I went on 'Pop Idol,' and the first time I saw it on television, it was really, really bad, but also it made me stand out; it made people remember me. So for the first time in my life, it…” quote by Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/gareth-gates-16580_advantage_before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-t_1336978.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/gareth-gates-16580_advantage_before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-t_1336978.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/gareth-gates-16580_advantage_before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-t_1336978.png) > “Before all this happened, I always used to see my stammer as being a negative, all my life, but then when I went on 'Pop Idol,' and the first time I saw it on television, it was really, really bad, but also it made me stand out; it made people remember me. So for the first time in my life, it worked to my advantage.” [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. His stammer, once seen as a flaw, became a distinctive trait on TV that made him memorable and turned a perceived weakness into an advantage. **In simple terms:** His stammer made him stand out positively. Key Takeaway Leverage unique traits as strengths. Themes self‑acceptance media identity Mood optimistic confident Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - talent shows - public speaking - media interviews Key Concepts psychology personal branding Questions to Reflect On - How can you reframe personal challenges? - What risks exist in highlighting differences? A Different Perspective Public perception can be unpredictable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pop/) [Remember me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-me/) [Stammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stammer/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Breathing is fundamental to speech. A stammer is caused by erratic airflow, so if you have a smooth airflow, you have smooth speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/breathing-is-fundamental-to-speech-a-stammer-is-caused-by-erratic/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [Speech and having a stammer is obviously a big part of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/speech-and-having-a-stammer-is-obviously-a-big-part-of-my-life/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I've stammered all my life, and it's fair to say that my stammer has shaped my life. It's made me make some decisions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/i-ve-stammered-all-my-life-and-it-s-fair-to-say-that-my-stammer-has/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [Living with a stammer is difficult. It's a daily uphill struggle with emotional baggage weighing you down. You can't be the person you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/living-with-a-stammer-is-difficult-it-s-a-daily-uphill-struggle-with/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [No one knows for sure if you can inherit a stammer, and so I worry that my baby might. It's why I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/no-one-knows-for-sure-if-you-can-inherit-a-stammer-and-so-i-worry/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I turned down many chances to be on TV before 'Pop Idol' because I really wasn't interested in being famous. I didn't need it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/i-turned-down-many-chances-to-be-on-tv-before-pop-idol-because-i/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) > [On all these Pop Idol-style programmes, the 'experts' on the panel are always saying things like: 'Follow your dream,' and you reach for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-lipman/on-all-these-pop-idol-style-programmes-the-experts-on-the-panel-are/) [Maureen Lipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-lipman/) > [You know, I feel sorry for the kids on television shows like 'Pop Idol.' They can never be prepared for the kind of pressure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-essex/you-know-i-feel-sorry-for-the-kids-on-television-shows-like-pop-idol/) [David Essex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-essex/) > [It worries me that young singers think you can shortcut the training and go straight to fame and fortune, and programmes like Pop Idol…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-garrett/it-worries-me-that-young-singers-think-you-can-shortcut-the-training/) [Lesley Garrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-garrett/) > [Whatever was clean I would wear, and I never pandered to that pop idol thing. But they stuck me in various teenage magazines and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-essex/whatever-was-clean-i-would-wear-and-i-never-pandered-to-that-pop-idol/) [David Essex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-essex/) > [The likes of Bob Dylan and David Bowie and probably Elvis Presley or any of the Beatles, none of them would have got through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ann-sulley/the-likes-of-bob-dylan-and-david-bowie-and-probably-elvis-presley-or/) [Susan Ann Sulley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ann-sulley/) > [I'd love to be a pop idol. Of course, my groupies are now between 40 and 50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-bacon/i-d-love-to-be-a-pop-idol-of-course-my-groupies-are-now-between-40/) [Kevin Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-bacon/) > [I recognise a lot of myself in these kids who enter shows like Pop Idol. It's very hard to get into the music industry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-chisholm/i-recognise-a-lot-of-myself-in-these-kids-who-enter-shows-like-pop/) [Melanie Chisholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-chisholm/) > [I thought about going onto the first one, Pop Idol. My mum was saying, 'Go on!' But I decided not to. 'The X Factor,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-nutini/i-thought-about-going-onto-the-first-one-pop-idol-my-mum-was-saying/) [Paolo Nutini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-nutini/) > [ \[on pop idol Donny Osmond\] He has Van Gogh's ear for music. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/on-pop-idol-donny-osmond-he-has-van-gogh-s-ear-for-music/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) ## More by Gareth Gates > [I was always used to being centre stage - something that had its good and bad points.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/i-was-always-used-to-being-centre-stage-something-that-had-its-good/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I love musical theatre because I love doing a live performance eight times a week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/i-love-musical-theatre-because-i-love-doing-a-live-performance-eight/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [Musical theatre is something that I always wanted to be a part of, and my first ever role on the West End as Joseph…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/musical-theatre-is-something-that-i-always-wanted-to-be-a-part-of-and/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I've had lots of offers of marriage and from women wanting to have my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/i-ve-had-lots-of-offers-of-marriage-and-from-women-wanting-to-have-my/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [Breathing is fundamental to speech. A stammer is caused by erratic airflow, so if you have a smooth airflow, you have smooth speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/breathing-is-fundamental-to-speech-a-stammer-is-caused-by-erratic/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [Young adults living with a stutter is hard work. How do they handle job interviews? What do they do when the phone rings? How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/young-adults-living-with-a-stutter-is-hard-work-how-do-they-handle/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [If I get a bad review, I don't take it personally because everyone is entitled to their opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/if-i-get-a-bad-review-i-don-t-take-it-personally-because-everyone-is/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [If I get a bad review, I dont take it personally because everyone is entitled to their opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/if-i-get-a-bad-review-i-dont-take-it-personally-because-everyone-is/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I do find my speech difficult at times, but it's getting so much better as my confidence grows and that's thanks to the position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/i-do-find-my-speech-difficult-at-times-but-it-s-getting-so-much/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [On the McGuire course, there's a technique called 'cancellation' where negative experiences are replaced with positive ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/on-the-mcguire-course-there-s-a-technique-called-cancellation-where/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [As you know, I was a solo singer, something I just got very much used to. Turns out I'm quite enjoying being in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/as-you-know-i-was-a-solo-singer-something-i-just-got-very-much-used/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [The moment an athlete doesn't train, things start to get a bit rusty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/the-moment-an-athlete-doesn-t-train-things-start-to-get-a-bit-rusty/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [I was terrible when I first started skating and was clinging onto the side for dear life, but it's something I'll always have now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/i-was-terrible-when-i-first-started-skating-and-was-clinging-onto-the/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [The last thing I wanted was to be with someone who's the same age as me and wanted the limelight, wanted the attention. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-be-with-someone-who-s-the-same-age-as/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) > [In the music business, I found it was much more about interviews, photo shoots and appearances rather than actual performing, which I do best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/in-the-music-business-i-found-it-was-much-more-about-interviews-photo/) [Gareth Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) [Explore all 39 Gareth Gates quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/) ## More Advantage quotes > [Dogmatists have one advantage: they are poor listeners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/dogmatists-have-one-advantage-they-are-poor-listeners/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Talented people can predict with great accuracy what's about to happen just a tiny bit ahead of their competitors. It might be two seconds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/talented-people-can-predict-with-great-accuracy-what-s-about-to/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [All I ever wanted was an unfair advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-wynn/all-i-ever-wanted-was-an-unfair-advantage/) [Garrison Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-wynn/) > [Part of the advantage, and part of the result of trying to be a producer and director, are the practical things, you find. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/part-of-the-advantage-and-part-of-the-result-of-trying-to-be-a/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) > [I was born with a silver microphone in my mouth, and that was an advantage. My father wrote books and was also a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dimbleby/i-was-born-with-a-silver-microphone-in-my-mouth-and-that-was-an/) [Jonathan Dimbleby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dimbleby/) > [Like funny men, skilled diners are apparently perceived to have an evolutionary advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/like-funny-men-skilled-diners-are-apparently-perceived-to-have-an/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [For some reason when I decide to pursue something, I never have any fear that it won't happen. I think it's just ingrained in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-blatz/for-some-reason-when-i-decide-to-pursue-something-i-never-have-any/) [Kelly Blatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-blatz/) > [I think I have good hands, so I try to use them to my advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-andreescu/i-think-i-have-good-hands-so-i-try-to-use-them-to-my-advantage/) [Bianca Andreescu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-andreescu/) > [My influences are jazz, blues, European classical music; they are rock music and pop music. So many kinds of music. World music from different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/my-influences-are-jazz-blues-european-classical-music-they-are-rock/) [Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/) > [Baseball needs to put the steroids era behind it by having and enforcing tough rules against all kinds of artificial advantages, so that spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/baseball-needs-to-put-the-steroids-era-behind-it-by-having-and/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [Daily contact with some teachers is itself all-sided ethical education for the child without a spoken precept. Here, too, the real advantage of male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-stanley-hall/daily-contact-with-some-teachers-is-itself-all-sided-ethical/) [G. Stanley Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-stanley-hall/) > [ If \[Donald\] Trump throws 20 million off of health care, that's going to be - if he handles this badly - and it's very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/if-donald-trump-throws-20-million-off-of-health-care-that-s-going-to/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/live-in-the-world-you-inhabit-look-upon-things-as-they-are-take-them/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [I always tell women that the fact that you're different and that you're noticed, because there are few of us in the tech industry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/i-always-tell-women-that-the-fact-that-you-re-different-and-that-you/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) [Browse all 3,503 Advantage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Before all this happened, I always used to see my stammer as being a negative, all my life, but then when I went on 'Pop Idol,' and the first time I saw it on television, it was really, really bad, but also it made me stand out; it made people remember me. So for the first time in my life, it worked to my advantage.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gareth Gates" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-to-see-my-stammer-as-being-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advantage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-to-see-my-stammer-as-being-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/gareth-gates-16580_advantage_before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-t_1336978.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/gareth-gates-16580_advantage_before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-t_1336978.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/gareth-gates-16580_advantage_before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-t_1336978.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Before all this happened, I always used to see my stammer as being a negative, all my life, but then when I…” — Gareth Gates", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gareth Gates", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-gates/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Before all this happened, I always...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-to-see-my-stammer-as-being-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-gates/before-all-this-happened-i-always-used-to-see-my-stammer-as-being-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```