"Follower count over talent is the new norm."
What was supposed to be a historic moment for Jasleen Royal turned into a mockery as she faced heavy criticism for her live singing performances.
She was the opening act at Coldplay’s Mumbai concerts, becoming the first Indian artist to open for the band.
Videos of her performances were shared on social media but the reaction was unfavourable.
Fans accused Jasleen of not being able to sing, calling her performance “embarrassing”.
One person wrote: “I saw some clips and she really can’t sing. The audience deserves better.”
Another said: “I thought people were exaggerating until I saw those clips and she sang so terribly.
“Even the audience’s pitch was better than hers. It was truly embarrassing to watch her perform.”
Meanwhile, several figures from the entertainment industry slammed Jasleen’s performance and claimed her concert appearances suggested online presence is now favoured over talent.
Sharing a clip of one performance, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri wrote:
“The audience is more [Shinda] Sureela than these auto-tuned, Instagram-generated singers.
“Imagine if she didn’t have followers on Instagram, would anyone have even allowed her to audition for a mohalla singing contest?
“Follower count over talent is the new norm.”
The audience is more sureela than these auto-tuned, Instagram-generated singers. Imagine if she didn’t have followers on Instagram, would anyone have even allowed her to audition for a mohalla singing contest?
Follower count over talent is the new norm. pic.twitter.com/waQRgoVhJV
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) January 24, 2025
Singer Antara Mitra agreed with Vivek’s comments and said:
“The brightest idea was this representation of the Indian music scene for Coldplay.
“I am shamelessly calling this out! Because someone from the same field should!
“I have an iron gut so I am doing it! Please all you biggest out there taking decisions of this level!
“My only request is please put music on top and then your number game.”
Music composer and singer Vishal Dadlani also had a negative reaction to Jasleen Royal’s performances:
“I’m really sorry, but when you put a basic-to-bad singer in front of a large crowd on a large stage, all you’re doing is showing more people that the individual can’t really sing, and that sadly, systems within labels in India aren’t geared towards really promoting the best we have.
“I’ve just seen some clips, and my gosh… How embarrassing! For the country, the artiste, the public, as well as ‘the scene’.”
Stating that Jasleen – who has 2.9 million Instagram followers – was chosen to be part of Coldplay’s Mumbai concerts based on her status, one said:
“She got an opportunity based on her status; others are still waiting.”
Another blasted Jasleen’s singing, commenting:
“Have heard multiple times better singing people in general on X Spaces.”
Others claimed her selection for the concerts was in a bid to target India’s Gen-Z population.
Some defended Jasleen Royal, with one writing:
“I understand that there are many talented individuals in India who could have opened the concert, but she has been facing a lot of criticism lately.
“She was probably nervous at the time. Let’s move on now, she has already received enough hate.”
Another bluntly said: “Just leave her alone.”
Originally from Ludhiana, Punjab, Jasleen Royal is mostly self-taught when it comes to music.
She entered Bollywood in 2014 and has sung songs for films like Gully Boy and Shershaah.
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