As The X Factor wraps up for another year, we look at some of the show’s behind the scenes secrets.
Auditions don’t start with the judges
In fact, there are usually a number of auditions before acts ever step in front of Simon Cowell and co.
Acts typically start the process by either submitting a video of themselves singing or going to perform in person at an open audition.
There are then several callbacks, with former finalist Mason Noise explaining: “I had five auditions before I saw them, it’s quite a gruelling process.
“I went to London, went into a room with some X Factor crew, then into another room and another with more, higher-up producers.”
Contestants get a personal chef and glam squad
There are a LOT of bonuses to life on The X Factor, aside from the potential of a mega record contract.
Contestants get a personal in house chef to cook them meals plus glam squads to keep them looking their best.
There is also a music room for rehearsals plus a games room to relax.
Cameras film EVERYTHING
The X Factor team never want to miss a moment and so contestants can expect to be filmed whether its on stage, backstage or even at their contestants house.
Despite taking hours of footage, the vast majority is discarded when edited down to a short VT for the live shows.
It’s non-stop work
Life as a finalist on The X Factor isn’t a 9-5 job.
Far from relaxing in the weekend until Saturday’s performance, acts can be expected to be working all day, every day.
From rehearsals to photoshoots, radio interviews to walking the red carpet at film premieres, the finalists are up from the early hours ’till late at night.
There are often secret relationships
Although you’d think there is little time for romance, there have been many X Factor relationships in the past.
Some have been out in the open – such as 2016 finalists Emily Middlemas and Ryan Lawrie – but others have been ‘secret’.
But security try to keep contestants apart
As well as the chef, camera crew and glam squads, The X Factor house is also guarded by security.
Previous contestant Emily Middlemas revealed as well as protecting the contestants, the security team were tasked with stopping any ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
“The guards stay up all night in the corridor,” she said, “It’s impossible. If we’re lucky, we can steal a kiss for a minute but that’s as far as it can go.”
Song choices can be limited
Although more recent series have encouraged acts to sing their own songs, acts from past seasons have claimed song choices at times can be limited.
Frankie Cocozza, who appeared on the show in 2011, said: “They wouldn’t let me do the songs I wanted to do, they wouldn’t let me wear what I wanted to, and I was just too much of a pussy to say no.”
He explained: “The judges don’t pick songs and stuff, they’ll be told to choose between four. It’s ridiculous, actually ridiculous.”
The X Factor airs on ITV. A new series will air in 2019.
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