2 Dec 2014

X Factor 'rigged' claims video blogger

11:54 am on 2 December 2014

X Factor's judges might not be everything you hoped for. An attendee at X Factor NZ's auditions on Sunday says the show is rigged, and that the judges are merely the producer's pawns.

In a video on his YouTube channel, 18-year-old Brad Fisher, alleges that he saw a producer for X Factor NZ consistently telling judges which way to vote during auditions.

WATCH Brad Fisher talk about what he witnessed at the X Factor auditions on Sunday

Mr Fisher said the producer used gestures to help guide the judge's decisions and that the judges never went against the producer's orders.

In response to the allegations made in the video, co-executive producer of X Factor NZ Andrew Szusterman said in a statement "as in all television productions, the producers must be in close contact with on-screen talent at all times in order for the production process to run smoothly."

"The judging panel are all music industry professionals, who as part of the series will be charged with mentoring the successful contestants, and it is up to them as to who proceeds through the competition."

X Factor NZ judges Melanie Blatt, Stan Walker, Willy Moon and Natalia Kills.

X Factor NZ judges Melanie Blatt, Stan Walker, Willy Moon and Natalia Kills. Photo: TV3 / Mediaworks

Reality TV about 'playing the game'

One person who competed in a New Zealand reality cooking show said producers "pick interesting people to make a story".

The contestant asked to remain anonymous as they had signed a non-disclosure agreement, but told Radio New Zealand "being a good cook is not enough to go on a reality TV show".

"It's about playing the game and being prepared to win at all costs."

Television commentator, Hadyn Green, said viewers should be sceptical about what they saw on reality shows.

"For performance-based shows, of course they're going to pick the people who have an interesting story because that's going to sell more records down the track'" he said.

X Factor NZ 2013 winner Jackie Thomas.

X Factor NZ 2013 winner Jackie Thomas. Photo: TV3 / Mediaworks

Mr Green said people "don't mind being taken along by [the story] because when you turn on your TV, that's what you want. You want entertainment."

However, "when they're watching something like X Factor -- a talent show -- there is this expectation that talent is going to play a large part in the decision [of who gets through]."

The 'reality' of reality TV, he said, was that "it is just a huge marketing exercise. [It is] a TV show with a built-in spinoff to a music career".

But even Brad Fisher was fairly understanding of the process. "It's kind of industry standard with talent shows" he said "they're there to create a story, not there to find the best vocalist."

"I just wanted to share with everyone just kinda how these competitions work, because they weren't exactly hiding it that well. If anyone had looked at the producer, they would have been able to see him doing it."

"If they're just going to do it in the open, I thought I'll just let everybody know how it happens".

Mr Fisher said if TV3/MediaWorks do give him a call he'd be ready. "I've got a camera set up... ready to record in seconds, in case it does happen".

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