Little Mix slam Simon Cowell’s predictable X Factor and ‘scripted’ sob stories
Little Mix, who were crowned champions of the X Factor in 2011 have slammed the singing competition, labelling it as predictable and ‘scripted’
Little Mix have laid into the “scripted” X Factor, and hope to trump former boss Simon Cowell ’s ratings, saying: “The best revenge is success.”
The group – who won the show in 2011 – say its viewing figures dropped because it “lost its authenticity”.
Taking a swipe at the series, they vow their new BBC talent show, The Search, will mark a “new dawn of reality TV where authenticity is key”, with Jade Thirlwell saying: “You can’t lie to people. People aren’t stupid any more about the smoke and mirrors.”
Little Mix signed to Cowell’s label Syco, but quit two years ago in a row about musical direction.
After plans for the singers’ rival BBC series emerged, X Factor quickly launched The Band last year, which failed to hit three million viewers.
Blasting reality “sob stories”, Jade says: “The problem is when it’s like a script. It lost its authenticity. The minute it doesn’t seem real, you switch off.
“How am I meant to believe in it? I could literally write it myself and tell you what’s coming next.”
Having starred in a BBC documentary about how social media trolls affected her mental health, Jesy Nelson says the group have prioritised contestants’ aftercare.
“We never had anyone check on us (on X Factor) to see how we were doing mentally, it was all just go, go, go,” she tells Radio Times.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock agrees: “I wish there was a lot more help.”
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