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Humperdinck Recalls 'Casting Couch' Struggles
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In Short: Engelbert Humperdinck says he faced unwanted advances from talent agents early in his career.
Engelbert Humperdinck, the 90-year-old British singer, recently opened up about the challenges he faced while pursuing a music career in the late 1950s.
Humperdinck revealed that he traveled from Leicester to London to seek representation, but many agents made unwanted advances toward him.
"In those days, you know, a lot of the agencies were... the men that fancied men," Humperdinck said, referring to the 'casting couch' phenomenon.
He recounted that every agent he approached made similar advances, except for one named Sydney Myers, who helped him establish his career.
"Every agent I went to was the same thing," Humperdinck added, emphasizing the difficulty he faced.
Humperdinck credited his longtime girlfriend, Patricia, who later became his wife, for encouraging him to pursue his music career despite the obstacles.
"I had to go through a lot because I got chased a lot by agents," Humperdinck said, highlighting his determination to stay true to himself.
"I avoided all that, but I went through hell with that sort of thing," he noted, describing the experience as a significant struggle.
What's still developing
- Engelbert Humperdinck is reflecting on the dark side of trying to make it in the music industry, claiming he was repeatedly subjected to unwanted advances from talent agents early in his career.
- He revealed that seeking representation proved to be a "very difficult task" because many of the agents instead pursued him personally.
- "Casting couch, it's called the casting couch, right?" he said.
- Humperdinck identified that agent as Sydney Myers, who invited the aspiring singer to stay at his apartment in London's Maida Vale neighborhood for six months while introducing him to the industry.
- "Not in a Hollywood way, but in an agent's way, you know."