The X Factor was a popular TV show for many teens in the 2000s, helping launch big stars like One Direction and Little Mix. For a lot of people, it seemed like the best way to become successful in music. But over the years, some dark truths about how contestants, many of whom were still teenagers, were treated have come to light. From Alexandra Burke being told to “bleach her skin” after winning, to Simon Cowell telling contestants to “go on a diet,” the show’s behind-the-scenes treatment has been criticized.
Now, Cher Lloyd, one of the show’s most famous contestants, is speaking out about her time on The X Factor and what happened in the music industry afterward. At 31, she spoke about her experiences on the We Need to Talk podcast with Paul C. Brunson. She shared how music industry executives pushed her to make big decisions to get more attention and become famous.
Lloyd thanked her X Factor mentor, Cheryl Cole, for being kind and supportive during her time on the show, where she finished in fourth place in 2010. However, after the show, she felt like she was left to figure things out on her own. When she asked for money to promote her album in the US, the label gave her a strange suggestion: to try to get close to Justin Bieber. Even though she was already with her husband, she was told not to mention their plans to get married and was left wondering, “Was I not good enough?” She was told they wouldn’t spend money on her album, but instead, she was expected to use someone else’s fame to get attention.
Brunson called the story “horrendous,” but said it wasn’t surprising for the industry. After having some big hit songs, Cher Lloyd stepped back from the spotlight and now makes music on her own terms.
