So it's the X Factor live final part 2 tonight (X Factor trying to drag things out to maximise the viewing figures? Never...) and who's going to win? Nobody number 1, or nobody number 2? You, like me, could be forgiven for not giving a flying whatever about the result. We have been fed the same rubbish for ten years now, and we all know what is going to happen over the next few months. They'll more than likely get the Christmas Number 1, then fade into obscurity.
However, I wanted to know what happens to the X Factor contestants who make the live shows, and even the final 3- what has happened to these people since their jaunt at fame. We all know the big acts that X Factor has produced. Leona Lewis, One Direction, JLS and erm... I'm struggling now... erm, Diana Vickers???? Can a decentish album and an appearance in a musical really be termed as a success? I suppose it is when you compare her plight with some of the other finalists of years gone by. Let's begin with the classic X Factor loser Steve Brookstein, who was unceremoniously dropped by his label and now entertains himself by picking fights on Twitter. Then there's Eoghan Quigg, last seen at Pontins performing on the same bill as a performing dog (and no, not Pudsey; a different performing dog!). No doubt realing from being reviewed as the 'worst album in the history of recorded sound' by Peter Robinson from NME. Arguably the most talented of all of the X Factor-ites was Joe McElderry. However, after being pipped to the Christmas Number 1 by Rage Against The Machine in 2009 (get in), he has also been dropped by his record label. Afro sporting Jamie Archer from the same series was spotted 'performing' in the Chicago Rocks of Yeovil and Stourbridge, ahhh the glamour. Katie Waissel has been repeatedly pelted with bananas and claims to be unable to leave the house. Bet she's glad she entered. In 2011, Irish waubler Mary Byrne claimed to have been paid only £7000 despite being on the X Factor tour and commanding £5000 per show!
There are some contestants who have done alright, but not great. Acts such as Chico, who claims to have earned over a million quid since 2006. His highlight no doubt being his appearance in Aladdin at Darlington a few Christmases ago. Shayne Ward has had a few albums out, none of which could be termed as 'good'. The X Factor anomalies surely must be Jedward, who despite having no talent whatsoever, except the talent to be a couple of cretins, earned over £3 million in 2010 alone. Where's the justice? Stacey Solomon has fallen off the music radar, but continues to get appearances on shows like I'm A Celebrity...
And these so-called 'acts' are the ones we can remember! Think of the ones we can't remember. Actually, no, don't. Although I don't feel sorry for the X Factor rejects- it was their choice to try out for the show- it must be difficult for them to readjust to the normalities of life. For a split second they have been in the public eye and shown the nice side of fame- the cars, clothes, if not the money. They start to get used to it. They start to like it. Then suddenly on a Sunday evening they are voted out and cast into the scrapheap. They are tearfully interviewed by Dermot O'Leary, who asks them what their plans are, to which they reply, erm, well I have a few things lined up, sob, which really means- "I HAVEN'T GOT A CLUE- HELP!!!!!!". They are forced to return to normal life having briefly tasted the fame game, then have had it snatched away mercilessly. If that doesn't do damage to someone I don't know what does. Yes they have the X Factor tour if they are lucky, but that is just prolonging the agony.
We the viewing public are just as much to blame. Just look at the winners. Invariably they have the Xmas number 1, then they gently fade to nothing. Thanks alot, now get lost. It seems if they are on our screens we love them, if they are not, we just don't care. All we really want is to greedily look forward to next year, to get our teeth stuck into a fresh batch of X Factor-ites.
Of course the X Factor, whether you like it or not, is a great show- well made, and more importantly, well sold. Ideal respite from those cold winter nights. But at what cost? The lives of the contestants are ruined from the second they get voted off. We are forced to watch the same crap format year on year. The music scene at the moment is at best patchy. We are not fed decent stuff. To find decent stuff, which is out there I grant you, you must go looking for it. Or the final option- listen to good stuff from the past, but that doesn't take us anywhere. Let's remember who the real X Factor winners are. One Direction? Leona Lewis? Nah. The real money flows to Monsieur toilet brush hair himself. Simon Cowell. Who has single handedly ruined music for a generation. How do I get into music, do I form a band and get there the hard way through endless gigs in bars and clubs? No!!! Go on X Factor for the quick fix and be as crap as everyone else. Don't be surprised to see Sam Bailey's album in the bargain bucket this time next year.
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