X Factor alum Bea Miller has opened up about a deeply uncomfortable part of growing up in the spotlight. The singer recalled being inappropriately touched by adult men at meet-and-greets while she was still a teenager, describing how she was expected to carry on working even after being left in tears.
Miller, now 27, discussed the experience on Unfamous With Justin Tranter podcast, reflecting on the pressures that came with becoming a public figure at just 13. Alongside the inappropriate encounters, she spoke about harsh criticism from adults and children online and the pressure to become a role model while she was still trying to figure herself out.
Bea Miller Recalls Being 'Felt Up' as Teen
Miller said she had to develop a 'tough skin' unusually early in her career.
She explained that while many performers may learn to deal with criticism and pressure in their late teens or 20s, she was navigating those challenges while still a highly emotional child.
'It was also so f**** up for me,' she stated.
The singer also recalled the uncomfortable behaviour she encountered at past fan events.
'I would be sometimes getting [felt] up at my meet and greet by 'Grandpa Jenkins' when I was like 17 years old,' she said, referring to some of the adult men by the nickname, inspired by a SpongeBob SquarePants character.
What made the experience particularly upsetting was how quickly she had to return to her job. Miller described essentially taking a short break after being touched inappropriately, only to go straight back to greeting fans. 'Right after I literally was just crying because I got felt up by a 50-year-old man,' she recalled, calling the situation 'really bad.'
She also questioned the behaviour of grown men who criticised her online when she was only 13. Looking back, she said it was disturbing to see adults directing that kind of attention towards a child.
From X Factor Contestant to Pop Star
Miller's career began when she auditioned for the second season of the US version of The X Factor in 2012. She was 13 at the time and competed in the teens category, mentored by Britney Spears.
She made it through to the live shows, performing songs including Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up, the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris, and Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time. In the fourth week, she landed in the bottom three, but was ultimately eliminated.
Her time on the programme nevertheless gave her a major platform. Miller went on to build a career as a singer-songwriter, releasing her debut album Not an Apology in 2015 and continuing to put out music as her sound developed.
Her experience as a young performer also became an important part of how she viewed fame. On Unfamous With Justin Tranter, she described feeling torn between looking for people she could learn from and recognising that younger fans might look to her in the same way.
Bea Miller Entering New Music Chapter
Miller is entering another chapter with her upcoming album, Mr. Peaked in High School. The 13-track record is scheduled for release on 18 September.
The project includes previously released singles Born to Lose and Depressed on the Internet, as well as Drunk Enough. The latter was unveiled as a new track alongside the album announcement.
