Redfoo: "I'm not black, I'm not white, I'm just me"

The X Factor judge said he grew up feeling 'too different' thanks to his mixed heritage.

The son of Motown label creator Berry Gordy Jr and writer-producer Nancy Leiviska, Stefan Gordy went to a Californian "surfer school".

"I grew up basically in a predominantly, you know, white community and I was mixed but as a kid you don’t know that. So I was always different, always stood out and people would always make fun of me."

"They used to call me Oreo, with the white in the middle so the black on the outside"

He said it took many years to embrace his uniqueness.

"And one day I just looked and I said you know what I’m not white, I’m not black, I’m not, I’m just me. And I renamed myself Redfoo."

Since LMFAO took a hiatus in 2012 he has used his experience to help other musicians with the same self-esteem struggles on The X Factor.

"Making people feel good is the number one priority, I love that."

"I love to help with dreams and I love what I do on X Factor as far as the mentoring and helping someone get over nervousness or reach their potential."
Gordy also struggled with nerves as a performer and said he tried many different methods to overcome stage anxiety.
"I did that my whole life and it was stopping me from making it as a musician."

"I have this concept about the circle of fear, it’s like a ring of fire what you’re afraid of is your boundaries in life and if you don’t confront them you’re in the centre of this circle of fire."

Download Redfoo's new single 'New Thang' from iTunes.

Redfoo is set to celebrate the Australian launch of his fashion line, La Freak with exclusive pop up stores and public appearances in Sydney this September, for details go to the Westfield website.