The X Factor
| The X Factor | |
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| Created by | Simon Cowell |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
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The X Factor is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company SYCOtv. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for Pop Idol (2001–2003), and has been adapted in various countries. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality.[1] The prize is usually a recording contract, in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly ranked contestants.
The similarities between The X Factor and Idols prompted Idol creator Simon Fuller, along with 19 Entertainment, to file a lawsuit against Cowell, SYCOtv, and FremantleMedia in 2004. An out-of-court settlement was reached in 2005 allowing Fuller to gain a 10 per cent share in The X Factor format, and preventing an American version until 2010.[2][3] Fuller later filed another lawsuit in 2011, claiming that he had also been promised that he would be credited as an executive producer of The X Factor USA, but that Syco, FremantleMedia, and Fox Broadcasting Company had failed to fulfill that promise; that lawsuit is pending.[4][5][6][7]
Unlike Idol, where the judges only critique the contestants' performances, on The X Factor each judge "mentors" the finalists in a particular category, aiding them with song selection and styling, while also participating together in judging the contestants in the other categories. Not only Idol, but also new singing shows The Voice and Rising Star have become rival shows to The X Factor.
The X Factor around the world
There have been a total of 188 winners of The X Factor worldwide.
Franchise that is currently airing
Franchise that is not currently airing, but will return in the future
Franchise that has ended
Franchise that is in development
| Country/Region | Local title | Network | Winner | Judges | Hosts |
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X Factor | TV Klan |
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The X Factor سير النجاحX |
Rotana (1–2) CBC (3) MBC 4 (4) |
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Shant TV Website |
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The X Factor | Network Ten (1) Seven Network (2–8) |
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| X Factor Adria | TV Sitel (1–2) Federalna (1–2) RTV Pink (1) RTL Televizija (2) Prva (2) RTRS (2) |
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X Factor | vtm |
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Factor X Bolivia | Red Uno |
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X Factor | Band Website TNT |
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X Factor | NovaTv Website |
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X Factor Cambodia | Hang Meas HDTV |
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Factor X | TVN Website |
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The X Factor:
激情唱响 The X Factor: Passionate Singer (1) The X Factor:
中国最强音 |
Liaoning TV (1) |
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El Factor X The X Factor |
RCN TV Website |
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| El Factor X: Batalla de las Estrellas The X Factor: Battle of the Stars |
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| El Factor Xs |
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| El Factor X Family |
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X Factor | TV Nova Website |
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X Factor | Website Website |
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X Factor | Current TV 2 (12–)[8] Website Former DR (1–11) Website |
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Factor X Kids Ecuador | Ecuavisa |
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X Factor | MTV3 Website |
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| X Factor |   |
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| X Factor Georgia X ფაქტორი |
Rustavi 2 |
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X Factor | Current Sky 1 (4–) Former VOX (1–3) |
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The X Factor | Current Open TV (6–) Former ANT1 (1–3) Skai TV (4–5) Sigma TV (4–5) |
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X-Faktor | RTL Klub Website |
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X Factor | Stöð 2 Website |
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X Factor India | Sony Entertainment TV Website |
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X Factor Indonesia | RCTI Website |
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The X Factor ישראל The X Factor Israel |
Current Reshet 13 (3–) Website Former Channel 2 (1–2) Reshet (1–2) |
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Current
Former
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X Factor | Current Sky Uno (5–) TV8 (10–) Website Former Rai 2 (1–4) |
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X Factor Okinawa Japan | Okinawa TV Website |
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X Factor | Perviy Kanal Evraziya Website |
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X Faktors | TV3 |
Season 2, 2018: Current Season |
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X Faktorius | TV3 |
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X Factor Malta | TVM[9] |
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The X Factor Myanmar | MRTV 4 |
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X Factor | RTL 4 Website |
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The X Factor | TV3 Website |
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X Factor | TV 2 |
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The X Factor Philippines | ABS–CBN | |||
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X Factor | TVN Website |
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Factor X | SIC |
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X Factor | Antena 1 Website |
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Секрет Успеха Secret of Success (1–2) Фактор А Faktor A (3–5) Главная сцена The Main Stage (6–7) |
RTR (1–2) Website Russia 1 (3–7) Website |
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X Faktor | POP TV |
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The X Factor SA | SABC 1 Website |
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Factor X | Cuatro (1–2)[10] Telecinco (3) |
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X Factor | TV4 |
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The X Factor Thailand | Workpoint TV Website |
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X Factor: Star Işığı | Kanal D Website |
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The X Factor | STB Website |
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The X Factor | ITV Website |
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| The X Factor: Battle of the Stars |
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The X Factor | Fox Website |
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| El Factor X The X Factor (Spanish Kids version) |
MundoFox |
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The X Factor Vietnam Nhân tố bí ẩn |
VTV3 |
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X Factor | AIT, NTA, STV, ViaSat, WAP TV |
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Multi-franchise judges
List of judges who appeared more than one country/region:
Notes
- ^ Also shown in Republic of Ireland and in series 3, 4, 7 and 13 auditions were held in Dublin, and viewers in Ireland were allowed to vote. The UK version of The X Factor is also shown in Malta on channel TVM.
Disputes and controversies
Since it was first broadcast in 2004, The X Factor has been the subject of much controversy and criticism in the United Kingdom and many other countries where it was broadcast.
Legal dispute
Simon Fuller, the creator of Pop Idol, claimed that the format of The X Factor was copied from his own show. Through his company 19 TV, Fuller filed a lawsuit against The X Factor producers FremantleMedia, The X Factor creator Simon Cowell, and Cowell's companies Simco and Syco.[11] A High Court hearing began in London in November 2005, and the outcome was awaited with interest by media lawyers for its potential effect on the legal situation regarding the copyrighting of formats. However, the hearing was quickly adjourned[11] and an out-of-court settlement was reached at the end of the month.[12]
X Factor Contract
The X Factor franchise requires every contestant to sign a contract and "sign over their lives" in order to move forward in the competition. Therefore, all the choosing and picking between contestants that the celebrity judges do on television is actually pre-determined before airing. Some of the conditions included in this contract include signing over your recording rights, allowing The X Factor to monitor your behavior during your time in the competition, and if you are eliminated and wish to audition for another TV show you must have the permission from the entire franchise. In addition, there is a "gag clause" included in this document preventing any of the contestants to speak about the matter in person or social media.[13]
Denmark
The Danish version has been criticised by Danish music contract expert and consultant for The Danish Musicians' Association (Dansk Musiker Forbund) Mikael Højris. According to Højris, the contracts for participation in the show are unfair for participants and almost amount to serfdom to DR1 (the channel airing the show) stating that clauses in the contracts forbid the participants – whether they pass the first round or not – from performing or participating in any other musical event for three months. He also criticises that participants are obliged to travel at their own expense.[14]
Italy
Asia Argento sexual abuse allegations
The Italian version of The X Factor generated controversy when one of the judges, actress and #MeToo activist Asia Argento was accused of sexual misconduct by American child actor, Jimmy Bennett. Argento and Bennett first met on the set of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things when he was seven years old and Argento was in her 20s. Argento, who was one of the promiment voices of the #MeToo movement against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, paid a then 17-year old Jimmy Bennett $380,000 for sexual intercourse in a California hotel in 2013, she was 37 years at the time. According to the constitution of the State of California, the age of consent is 18 years.[15]
Photos and videos of Argento "snuggling" a 17-year old Bennett surfaced online, receiving heavy criticism from several media outlets.[16] Bennett, who is now 22, accused Argento for sexual misconduct and statutory rape. Argento denied the allegation of sexual assault. She said that she never had a sexual encounter with Bennett, and that when he made a request for money for her, her partner, late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, paid him to avoid negative publicity. Bourdain was found dead in a French hotel on June 2018, just two months before the sexual abuse allegations against his then-girlfriend surfaced online via The New York Post.[17]
On 27 August 2018, Sky Uno and FremantleMedia Italia announced that Argento was fired from The X Factor Italy following these allegations, making her the third judge fired from the X Factor franchise.[18] The twelfth series of The X Factor Italy will premiere in September with Alessandro Cattelan, Manuel Agnelli, Fedez and Mara Maionchi returning as host and judges, respectively. A fourth new judge has yet to be announced. Before being axed, Argento will most likely appear in the live auditions that have been already been tapped. On 5 October, it was announced that singer Lodovico Guenzi of the band, Lo Stato Sociale, will replace Argento in the live shows.
New Zealand
Natalia Kills outburst
On the second series of The X Factor during filming of the final judges' auditions session in December 2014, whilst giving feedback to busker Sally Faherty's rendition of Frank Ocean's "Thinking About You", Natalia Kills suggested Faherty had wallflower body language. Kills then said "buskers often end up performing more to themselves than to the people around them because they go unappreciated for so long it's as if the people around them think that they are invisible. You have the body language as you're trying to blend into the background behind you." The audience didn't appreciate what Kills had said and started booing her. Kills then said that Faherty was not invisible on the stage and that it was her time to change that. Judges Melanie Blatt and Stan Walker gave Faherty a "Yes", whilst Willy Moon (Husband of Natalia Kills) gave Faherty a "No". The pressure was on Natalia Kills (Moon's wife) to make the final decision. The crowd got involved trying to persuade Kills to put Faherty through. Kills then snapped at the audience saying "Stop, stop it right now, you're going to fuck this for her". Despite her comments, Kills decided to put Faherty through to Bootcamp by giving her a "Yes". Some members of the audience (including children) were shocked at the outburst and walked out. A TV3 spokeswoman said both the network and Kills apologised for the incident.[19] The incident was featured in the final audition episode, with the profanity bleeped out. Faherty was also heard using the F word backstage which was bleeped out.[20]
Shae Brider
On the second series of The X Factor, in the sixth audition show which aired on television on 24 February 2015, convicted ex-prisoner Shae Brider auditioned and was put through to the boot camp round. In the episode Brider revealed that he had been involved in a 2004 murder in Wanganui and had served six years in prison for manslaughter.[21] In reaction to criticism from the public and media, MediaWorks issued a statement saying that Brider's criminal record had been fully disclosed when he entered The X Factor and that the New Zealand justice system considers that Brider has paid his debt to society. Mediaworks also apologized for any distress the episode may have caused viewers.[22] Brider later told media that he regretted appearing on the series and had not thought through the impact of his appearance.[23] TV3 announced that the first two bootcamp episodes would start with an apology to the victim's mother and her family.[24] International The X Factor producers FremantleMedia Australia and Syco Entertainment discussed the situation with the show's producers, with a spokesperson for FreemantleMedia describing the inclusion of Brider on the show as "a very poor editorial decision" and saying that "a more rigid approval process" would ensure a similar situation would not happen in future.[25]
Natalia Kills and Willy Moon rude comments towards contestant
During the first live show of The X Factor, following the performance of contestant Joe Irvine, Natalia Kills began bullying and trying to humiliate Irvine during the judges comments, calling him out as "a doppelganger in our midst",[26] referring to Irvine's apparent copying of Kills' husband Willy Moon's hairstyle and dress sense. Kills deemed Irvine a "laughing stock", overtly "cheesy", "disgusting" and "artistically atrocious".[27] Moon continued the assault, stating Irvine was "like Norman Bates dressing up in his mother's clothing, it's just a little bit creepy" and "I feel like you are going to stitch someone's skin to your face and then kill everybody in the audience". Viewers' response to the tirade was overwhelmingly negative, with some calling for Kills and Moon to be fired from the show mid-series, and others simply describing the comments as disgusting. A Facebook page demanding that the two be fired was set up on 15 March 2015, and within twelve hours had amassed over 50,000 likes. The incident led to criticism from the show's sponsors, franchise owner, and fellow judges.[26]
A change.org petition asking TV3 to "Take Natalia Kills off XFactor", calling for the removal of only Natalia without mentioning her husband, had attracted 77,049 signatures.[28]
Moon and Kills were both fired from the show the day after the incident, several hours before the next episode went to air.[29]
Spain
Poupie elimination and subsequent accusations of nepotism
During the Factor X series 3 semi-final, when the judges voted to determine who would be the last eliminated contestant of the evening (and therefore, to determine the last finalist as well) between Poupie, mentored by Risto Mejide, and group W-Caps, mentored by Xavi Martínez, Risto started off the round voting against Poupie, and from his earlier words, looking to force a deadlock. The move backfired on him when, after Laura Pausini had voted against W-Caps and Fernando Montesinos against Poupie, Xavi Martínez decided to let his pupils through to the finals and voted against Poupie as well, resulting in her being eliminated. The following week, during the finals, Martínez and Mejide argued throughout the evening about the incident, with the latter flat-out accusing the former of nepotism.[30] Part of the audience instead perceived Risto's failed tactics as an attempt to cheat Poupie out of the finals to favor his other protegé Elena Farga, who was already seen by some as Telecinco's hand-picked winner,[31] and this resulted in viewers calling for a boycott against her on social media. Farga came in second to Pol Granch in the final vote.
United Kingdom
United States
Rachel Crow elimination
- During week 7 of the live shows during the first season, judge Nicole Scherzinger could not decide which act to send home between contestants Rachel Crow and Marcus Canty. Scherzinger sent the vote to deadlock to let America's votes determine who would be eliminated. Crow was eliminated, shocking Crow, Scherzinger, and fans. Scherzinger was booed off the stage at the end of the show with many calling for her to be fired[32] and subsequently received death threats from some viewers.[33] It is speculated that this is the main reason for Scherzinger's dismissal as a judge following the season ending and subsequent transfer to the UK version of the show.
Don Phillip audition
- In the season two premiere, Don Philip, someone who once collaborated with Britney Spears, auditioned in front of the judges, and received a "no" from all judges. He then told Access Hollywood that ten minutes of footage from the interview was cut as he says he felt bullied into revealing he was gay.[34] Spears reportedly replied "It is fine that you are gay," though that was edited out as well.[35] Those at Fox then released a statement saying "The judges were not given any information at all about Mr Philip prior to his audition."[36] Later that year, an insider revealed that he was contacted specifically by producers because of his association with Britney Spears, and that according to him "she already knew he was going to be there, of course, because this is a reality show".[37]
Celebrity versions
From 29 May – 5 June 2006, ITV broadcast a celebrity version of The X Factor in the UK called The X Factor: Battle of the Stars. It was hosted by Kate Thornton and judged by Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. It was won by actress Lucy Benjamin. There has also been a celebrity version in Colombia, El Factor X: Batalla de las Estrellas, also broadcast in 2006.
International versions
On 24 August 2013, a 24th anniversary television special was broadcast by RCTI in Indonesia called the X Factor Around the World. It featured winners and runners-up from versions of The X Factor in Indonesia, United States, United Kingdom and Australia. The judging panel comprised Paula Abdul, Anggun, Daniel Bedingfield, Ahmad Dhani and Louis Walsh. The show was purely a music showcase and no winner was announced.[38][39][40]
See also
References
- ↑ Described as "something you can't quite put your finger on" by Cheryl Cole, a judge on the UK version of The X Factor, The Xtra Factor, 23 November 2009
- ↑ "X Factor copyright case settled", BBC News, retrieved 15 May 2007
- ↑ Simon Cowell: And the real winner is... The Independent, retrieved 15 May 2007
- ↑ Fuller Sues Fox For X-Factor Fees Bloomberg, retrieved 20 July 2011
- ↑ Simon Fuller Sues Fox Over 'X Factor' The New York Times, retrieved 20 July 2011
- ↑ Fuller vs Cowell Part Two: American Idol creator 'suing over X Factor USA' Daily Mail, retrieved 20 July 2011
- ↑ Simon Fuller sues Fox and Fremantle over 'X Factor' credit Los Angeles Times,. retrieved 20 July 2011
- ↑ "X Factor fortsætter: TV 2 har købt konceptet". dr.dk.
- ↑ https://www.tvm.com.mt/mt/news/x-factor-malta-minn-ottubru/
- ↑ "Factor X". Cuatro. Archived from the original on 6 December 2009.
- 1 2 "X Factor copyright case adjourned". BBC News. BBC. 23 November 2005. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
- ↑ "X Factor copyright case settled". BBC News. BBC. 29 November 2005. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
- ↑ Greenblat, Ben Butler and Eli (16 September 2013). "Signing over your life: inside the X Factor contract". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
- ↑ Berlingske Tidende: DR beskyldes for at stavnsbinde unge (Danish)
- ↑
- ↑ http://www.tmz.com/2018/08/21/asia-argento-jimmy-bennett-photo-sex-minor/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑
- ↑ http://www.tmz.com/2018/08/27/asia-argento-fired-x-factor-italy-sexual-assault-statutory-rape/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ Etheridge, Jess (3 December 2014). "Swearing X-Factor judge shocks audience". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ↑ "Ep06: Sally Faherty – Think Bout You". TV3. Mediaworks New Zealand. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
- ↑ "From rampage of violence to Slim Shady: How did The X Factor let convicted killer Shae Brider into bootcamp?". The New Zealand Herald. APN. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ↑ "X Factor hopeful a convicted killer". 3 News. Mediaworks. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
- ↑ Harris, Caleb (27 February 2015). "X Factor entrant Shae Brider regrets appearance". The Dominion Post. Fairfax NZ. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ↑ Tait, Morgan. "X Factor to apologise to victim's family". The New Zealand Herald (26 February 2015). APN. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ↑ Glucina, Rachel. "'A very poor editorial decision' – Simon Cowell blames X Factor NZ producers for killer contestant". The New Zealand Herald. APN. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- 1 2 "Pressure on TV3 after X Factor judges Willy Moon and Natalia Kills humiliate contestant on live TV". The New Zealand Herald. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ↑ "XFactor NZ - Joe Irvine bullied by Natalia Kills". YouTube.
- ↑ "Humiliating moment X Factor contestant struggles to control his trembling lip after being torn to shreds by judges - but ranting husband and wife are later SACKED from the show". Daily Mail.
- ↑ Angela Beswick (16 March 2015). "Natalia Kills, Willy Moon fired from X Factor NZ". Newshub. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- ↑ Mucientes, Esther (6 July 2018). "Factor X, Pol Granch y la inesperada final que Risto Mejide destrozó". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ↑ Mucientes, Esther (2 July 2018). "La vergüenza de Factor X" (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ↑ Piper, Dean (11 December 2011). "Nicole Scherzinger faces the axe after US X Factor backlash". mirror.co.uk. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ↑ Geno (14 December 2011). "Geno's World: Nicole Scherzinger On Receiving Death Threats Over Rachel Crow's 'X Factor' Elimination". Genogenogeno.com. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ↑ "'X Factor' contestant Don Philip: I was 'bullied' into revealing that I'm gay - The Clicker".
- ↑ "X Factor Edits Don Philip's Coming Out Gay To Britney Spears On Season Debut".
- ↑ "Britney Spears' Former Duet Parter Don Philip Says He Was 'Set Up' on 'X Factor'". PopCrush.
- ↑ Maxwell, Goldcrest (18 August 2015). "I Was A Reality TV Judge: 5 Secrets I Shouldn't Tell You". Cracked.
- ↑ "X Factor Around The World, Aksi Kumpulan Bintang!" (in Indonesian). KapanLagi.com. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ↑ "X Factor Around The World Promo". X Factor Indonesia Official YouTube. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ↑ "Fatin dan Novita Akan Diadu Dengan Jawara X Factor Seluruh Dunia dengan Juri Paula Abdul". Tribun News. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
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