The X Factor contestant Katie Waissel says she was left emotionally "numb" and "petrified" thanks to online trolling, and viewers were manipulated into believing the show made would-be stars rich and famous, when "it does not".
The trainee lawyer reached the quarter final of the talent contest in 2010, but speaking to the Star, she says she would erase her time on the show, which was axed in the summer, if she could.
Katie, 36, wants to change the Human Rights Bill that would allow musicians to file claims under the Human Rights Act rather than the proposed Bill of Rights, introduced by Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, and has even written to the MP to request a meeting.
Speaking about her time on the show, the performer said: "It wasn't a platform for me or anybody and I think this is the verbiage that has been so continuously spewed out, it's almost like when you see a contestant say 'I'm so grateful for the opportunity', that is not the case – we are told to say it.
"The same goes with the public, the viewers or public watching a show like that are literally manipulated into believing it offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for people and makes them famous and makes them rich, it does not."
Katie revealed it wasn't her choice to go on the show and if she could erase time on it, she would, adding she's not the only contestant who feels that way.
While on the show, Katie was victim to cruel online trolling, and questions how she has the strength to keep her fight going, explaining that laws need to changed.
Speaking about her experience on the show she said: "I was numb emotionally and petrified."
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Katie has emailed Dominic Raab about an in-person meeting, where she hopes to discuss ways to provide those in the creative industry a right to file a claim under the Human Rights Act, providing protection and safeguarding that's needed, she says.
The X-Factor was cancelled after 17 years on air and lasted until coronavirus meant they had to pause filming.
The talent show was the launching pad for a number of top-selling British music acts in the last two decades from One Direction to Little Mix and Leona Lewis.
After securing around 10 million viewers at the peak of its popularity, the reality series suffered a sharp decline in ratings in recent years with creator Simon Cowell deciding to call it a day.
A TV source said: “The show began in 2004 and was a huge show and a massive format for ITV for over a decade. But in truth the last few years it has struggled and no new judge or tweak in format has helped. Ratings have got lower and lower and bringing it back is seen as too big a risk.”
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