You'll Never Guess Who Called Josh Groban 'A Little Flat'

Josh Groban, 2009. Photo by Christopher Simon under CC BY 2.0.

Before Josh Groban became a household name, he was a nervous teenager stepping into life-changing moments alongside music icons like David Foster and Celine Dion. Their paths first crossed thanks to a mix of serendipity, talent, and a little blunt honesty, setting the stage for one of the most enduring partnerships in the music industry.

A Teenager, A Demo Tape, and a Big Opportunity

Groban was just 16 years old and studying at a high school for the arts when his vocal coach submitted his tape to David Foster, a Grammy-winning producer known for working with legends like Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand. Foster was impressed and gave Groban his first chance, inviting him to perform at an event for California's new governor.

Before that performance, however, Foster delivered a piece of feedback that Groban never forgot. "He comes over to me and goes, 'Hey man, David Foster, nice to meet you. You were a little flat on that recording, but I think you're going to do a lot better for the live thing,'" Groban told PEOPLE. The teenage singer took the critique in stride, determined to rise to the occasion.

From Rehearsal Singer to Grammy-Stage Stand-In

In 1999, Foster called Groban again with an even bigger challenge: to step in for Andrea Bocelli during a Grammy Awards rehearsal with Celine Dion. The task was daunting for the 17-year-old. "I didn't think this was something I could really go in and do. I mean, this was Celine Dion," Groban later admitted to Classic FM.

Despite his nerves, Groban impressed everyone present. "He took the microphone, and when he started to sing, he couldn’t be any more powerful," Dion later said, according to Classic FM. That rehearsal not only boosted Groban's confidence but also led to a series of pivotal career opportunities, including appearances on The Rosie O'Donnell Show and a recurring role on Ally McBeal.

A Friendship Built on Music and Mentorship

The bond between Foster and Groban grew stronger over the years. Foster's guidance shaped Groban's early career, and Groban describes their relationship as both challenging and rewarding. "To have somebody like David as a mentor is just a 24/7 masterclass," Groban said to PEOPLE.

Their creative connection blossomed into what Groban jokingly refers to as a sort of musical marriage. Over the decades, they've taken breaks and reunited, always finding common ground through their shared passion for music.

Reflecting on a Shared Journey

Today, Groban and Foster look back on their early encounters with humor and appreciation. At Foster's 75th birthday celebration, PEOPLE reported that Groban joked, "He didn't have any gray hair when I first met him. Neither did I!"

Groban's trajectory — from a nervous teenager receiving a tough critique to an accomplished singer with a career spanning decades — is a testament to how the right mentorship, paired with perseverance, can transform raw talent into lasting success.

References: Josh Groban Says David Foster Told Him He Was a 'Little Flat' the First Time He Met Him at 16 (Exclusive) | Josh Groban Jokes David Foster, Who Just Turned 75, 'Didn't Have Any Gray Hair When I Met Him' (Exclusive) | Josh Groban Says He and David Foster Are a 'Musical Married Couple' but They 'Sometimes Take Little Breaks' (Exclusive) | When 17-year-old Josh Groban stepped in for Andrea Bocelli to sing 'The Prayer' with Celine Dion