Little Mix criticise 'The X Factor' for being unauthentic as they launch rival talent show
Little Mix have said The X Factor has lost viewers because it is too predictable and scripted.
The band – Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwell, Perrie Edwards and Jesy Nelson – won the ITV show in 2011 and have gone on to launch their own rival talent series The Search on BBC, while The X Factor’s ratings have plummeted in recent years.
Thirlwell told the Radio Times: “You can’t lie to people. People aren’t stupid anymore about the smoke and mirrors.
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“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.”
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And Nelson – who has spoken out previously about the depression she had suffered after being bullied on social media by internet trolls since entering the spotlight – said their show will prioritise aftercare to their contestants, taking a swipe at The X Factor’s duty of care.
She said: “We never had anyone check on us to see how we were doing mentally, it was all just go, go, go.”
Pinnock agreed: “I wish there was a lot more help.”
But despite their criticisms of the show that made them famous, Little Mix insist they have no vendetta against the show’s boss Simon Cowell.
Thirlwall said: “I think with Simon it’s all fun and games. We’ve got no personal vendetta against him.
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“We moved on and, to be fair, over the years we didn’t actually see him that much. We’re not ones to hold grudges.”
Edwards added: “The best revenge is success.”
Since Little Mix won The X Factor they have released five albums and had four number one singles in the UK charts.
Cowell has announced plans to “rest” The X Factor for 12 months after spin-offs Celebrity and The Band failed to bring back viewers.