Music industry titan Simon Cowell has issued a robust defence against criticism from former contestants of his hit ITV show, The X Factor. The 66-year-old, who helped launch global acts like One Direction and Leona Lewis, argued that participants were fully aware of the commercial realities of the programme when they signed up.
The Backlash from Former Contestants
In recent years, several alumni of the talent show have spoken out about their experiences. Most notably, Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix – who won the competition in 2011 – released a solo track in 2025 titled Angel Of My Dreams. The song contained the lyric "sold [her] soul to a psycho," widely interpreted as a dig at Cowell, whose Syco label managed the group's initial contract.
Furthermore, Katie Waissel, a finalist from the 2010 series, has been vocal about her time on the show. She and other former contestants have described enduring significant "tears, trauma and anxiety" in the years following their appearances.
Cowell's Blunt Defence on Podcast
Addressing these claims head-on during an appearance on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde, Cowell was unapologetic. "It's the music business so my job is to make money for you and me and that was the deal," he stated. "If I saw an opportunity, you jump on it."
He emphasised the financial and fame-related benefits for successful contestants, suggesting that critics simply "have it in" for him. "The vast majority of people have made a lot of money and got what they wanted which was fame," Cowell asserted.
'Become an Accountant' Advice
Cowell concluded with characteristically direct advice for those unhappy with the spotlight and commercial pressures that come with reality TV fame. "They signed up to what they knew the show was about, and if you don't like that, then I suggest you become an accountant or a gardener or something where no one knows who you are and you won't have that problem," he told the podcast.
When Thirlwall's song first sparked speculation, representatives for Syco were quick to respond, telling the Mirror they wished her "solo success." Thirlwall herself later clarified that the track was about her broader "journey" in the music industry, from being "catapulted" into fame after The X Factor.
Her subsequent single, It Girl, also fuelled rumours with its closing line, "It's a no from me," a phrase synonymous with Cowell's judging style. During an interview on The Louis Theroux Podcast, when asked about the Syco reference, Thirlwall replied enigmatically, "it's written on the tin, isn't it, really?"
The debate highlights the enduring conversation about duty of care in reality television and the complex legacy of one of Britain's most influential entertainment formats.
