This afternoon, X Factor season 2 winner Tate Stevens spoke with reporters via satellite, reflecting on his journey through the competition and outlining his plans for the months ahead. He shared thoughts on key performances, mentorship, songwriting goals and family life, and revealed his intention to contribute substantially to his debut album.
Did you ever feel you had a real chance to win? – Tate replied that a few weeks before the finale he began to feel confident. “A couple of weeks ago, yeah. I was sitting at #1, a couple of weeks at the top, and then went to two…when I went back to one, that’s when I thought ‘I have a shot at winning this.’ Up until then, it was anyone’s game.”
Did LA Reid’s early hesitation about mentoring the Over 25s put you at a disadvantage? – He acknowledged it was a little discouraging at first but didn’t believe it ultimately harmed him. “It was a little disheartening at first. But I think he realized that had a really talented group of overs. I don’t think I was at a disadvantage.”
How did you choose Little Big Town as a duet partner? – Tate explained the show offered several artist options and they selected Little Big Town because their sound fit his duet choice and because they had just enjoyed a major hit with “Pontoon.” “We thought it was the right fit. Personally, I love the song. I think it’s a lot of fun,” he said.
Did Carly’s duet with LeAnn Rimes influence the final result? – Tate didn’t think one duet would sway the outcome. “I have no idea what happened with their duet. She [Carly] has her fanbase. I don’t think it would have swayed…if you’re a fan of someone, I don’t think you’re going to change because of one thing.”
Which performance was your favorite and which was your best? – His favorite moment was the duet with Little Big Town for its fun factor, while he felt his strongest solo performance was the week he sang “Fall,” the Clay Walker song.
Which performance felt the most challenging or frightening? – The first Bon Jovi number, “Wanted Dead or Alive,” topped his list of nerve-wracking moments. “It’s such a huge anthem song. Everyone knows it. If you screw something like that up, it’s not good,” he said.
What advice do you have for audition hopefuls? – Tate kept it simple and encouraging: “Be yourself, go out and do what you do.”
When you stood in line to audition, did you imagine you could win? – Not at all. He remembered feeling out of place among thousands of hopefuls, noting with a laugh that he was the only guy in a cowboy hat and didn’t expect much.
Besides seeing your name on your town’s water tower, do you have other ambitions for your name recognition? – Tate said becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry would be a major milestone. “If I can accomplish that, then I’ve done something,” he said.
What will you do first with the $5 million prize? – He admitted he hadn’t settled on a plan and teased his wife about a possible Harley purchase, expecting he might make a spur-of-the-moment buy.
How will you spend the holidays? – Tate planned to fly home immediately, spend quiet time with family, sleep in his own bed, and enjoy his wife, children and dogs. He added that he flies to Nashville on January 2 to begin recording his album.
What do you think about Simon’s early comment that the overs had no chance? – Tate said he didn’t hear that remark but believed as the competition progressed the overs’ talent became clear to viewers and judges alike.
Was mentoring overrated since LA Reid wasn’t known as a country expert? – Tate defended the mentoring process, noting that while LA Reid may not have been steeped in country music, he brought experience and had prior success working across genres. Tate said they collaborated closely—each bringing song choices and picking the best fit—and that LA gave him a lot of creative control.
Do you have writers you want to work with? – Tate listed several Nashville writers he hopes to meet with, acknowledging the city’s deep pool of songwriting talent and expressing a desire to see who fits creatively when he arrives to write.
Do you have original songs of your own? – Yes. Tate intends to co-write at least half of his debut album, though he noted the final track list will depend on label input and how things develop.
Would working with Britney, Demi or Simon have changed anything? – He felt that was hard to say and preferred not to speculate on what might have been.
Any duet plans for the album? – Tate wants to establish his sound first and then pursue collaborations later. He said there is a long list of artists he’d love to work with down the road.
What did you learn about yourself through the season? – The experience clarified how much he loves performing on a large stage. “From the beginning, I love performing, I love entertaining. I didn’t know how much I loved doing it on a big scale like this show is. I realized that that’s what I want to do,” he reflected.
How do you feel about representing the X Factor brand? – Tate embraced the role, saying the show changed his family’s life and he’s proud to carry the torch and honor the opportunity.
Did the big production numbers ever feel awkward for a country singer? – He acknowledged X Factor leans pop and urban, and at times he felt out of place, but ultimately the experience paid off.
Did you meet One Direction? – Yes. Tate said they were great guys and mentioned his 11-year-old daughter was thrilled to meet Harry Styles and get a photo with him.
What was the most valuable lesson from LA Reid? – Tate recalled LA telling him early on that stars don’t have confidence issues, urging him to shed doubt and be confident in who he is. “I tried to do that…I’m still trying. I’m learning. I think I’ve gotten a lot better,” Tate said.
How did you bond with other contestants during the competition? – He described good camaraderie, offering younger contestants advice and even cooking for the group frequently.
Was there a time you really missed your family? – Absolutely. After about three weeks away, Tate said he wondered if he could continue, but his wife encouraged him to stick with the opportunity, reminding him it might not come again.
As an additional note, a Reality Rocks interview conducted by Lyndsey Parker included the detail that Simon Cowell hopes to have Tate’s debut album released by June or July of next year.