Katie Waissel has claimed that bosses behind The X Factor had steps in place to keep her in the competition back in 2010 before she was eliminated in the quarter-final.
The star, who has now turned her attention to law school with the hopes of becoming a lawyer, has also explained she has requested a meeting with Dominic Raab.
Katie, 36, hopes 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.
The songstress exclusively shared an insight on her time on the show, which she claims she never wanted to participate in.
(Image: Katie Waissel)
She told the Daily Star: “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 general viewers or public watching a show like that are literally manipulated into believing that it offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for people and makes them famous and makes them rich, it does not.
“This is one of the fundamental things that I’m fighting so hard for, is to get justice for the public that were also a victim of this coercive behaviour.”
(Image: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/REX/Shutterstock)
Katie claims: “If I could go back in time and not do a show, it wasn’t even my choice to go on that show but if I could turn back time and erase it, I would and I know I’m not the only person that says that.
“The only light at the end of the tunnel is that I’m hoping to help so many others from this.”
During her time, Katie was the victim of online trolling, explaining to the Daily Star that she often asks herself how she has a “fibre of strength” to continue her fight, adding that there are “a lot of laws that need to be changed”.
(Image: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/REX/Shutterstock)
Shedding light on her experience, she went on to claim: “I was numb emotionally and petrified, I had to push on through but there were also things that went on behind the scenes like preventative measures for me exiting, so all around, not so great.”
She explained that she was receiving death threats during her time on the programme, with X Factor bosses offering protection if Katie remained on the show but should she leave, she claims this protection would be stripped.
The X Factor are believed to have called the police in after Katie started receiving death threats, with the ITV programme also having several duty of care protocols in place including an experienced network of support for contributors.
The star also explained she had emailed Dominic Raab, requesting an in-person meeting with the second in command to discuss “much-needed changes”.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
She explained: “The email was to Dominic Raab, for an in-person meeting request to discuss the much-needed changes and amendments to the Human Rights Act, Dominic Raab is currently trying to replace the Human Rights Act with a new Bill of Rights in the UK.
“The in-person meeting request is to discuss a potential way to provide those within the Creative Industry Sector their absolute right to file a claim under the Human Rights Act, with the intention to extend this to all Industry Sectors, providing those within, the essential safeguarding and protection needed.
“The advancements and amendments within the Law and Legislations therein should quintessentially run parallel with the fast-growing efforts of the people, in order to ensure protection, guidance and justice for posterity.”
The X Factor has been approached for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
