An unnamed star from The X Factor has said that six acts from the show are planning to sue Simon Cowell's firm SyCo.
While the show has been on hiatus since 2019, with Cowell rumoured to be bringing the talent competition back, his company is reportedly set to be hit by a multi-million-pound lawsuit.
The claimants, formed of five solo acts and one group, are currently anonymous but have said their case centres on the alleged 'bullying' they faced after appearing on the show.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, one of the claimants said: "Being on the show was a horrific experience. We’ve been suffering for years as a result. It’s awful."
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The Mirror also spoke to another singer from the lawsuit who said: "Myself and five former acts have agreed to join forces and get the justice we feel we deserve.
"Simon needs to take responsibility. We lost a lot of money from having periods of our lives not making money to deal with trauma still ingrained from the show."
The claimant went on to add that the case was about seeking justice: "It will be a £1million-plus case. It’s about justice, being compensated for the time and money we’ve spent with medical professionals trying to live normal lives again."
The singer went on to add that they have a 'lot of evidence' and that included 'emails, recordings and psychological assessments that will show how we were mistreated.'
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The singer said viewers don't see what happens behind the scenes: "It’s very easy for the public to see us with make-up, beautiful clothes, and dry ice floating around.
"But just moments before stepping on stage many contestants were sleep deprived, in tears, and suffering trauma. Lots of contestants are from underprivileged backgrounds so getting on the show was like a winning lottery ticket."
However, according to the singer, that winning feeling was short-lived.
"You’re sold the dream, but once you’re off the show, you’re thrown into the world with very little after care," they said.
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"Your mental wellbeing was of no one’s interest. We were just pawns in their game. When I entered the show I was confident, ambitious, and charismatic. Now I am extremely untrusting, emotional, nervous, and full of anxiety."
When approached for comment, SyCo said to make it clear that Cowell was not in any way aware of the behaviour that had been alleged.
LADbible has reached out to SyCo for comment.
Featured Image Credit: ITVTopics: X Factor, News, Simon Cowell, Celebrity, Social Media