14 DAY TRIAL // With the American version of X Factor axed, the attention has turned to the British version of the TV talent show. The Irish actor Chris O'Dowd admits he is a huge fan of the Simon Cowell produced show, but is convinced a lot of the black artists don't stand a chance because of their skin color.
O'Dowd claims that viewers are systematically discriminating against black contestants by voting them out in round five every year. His comments have sparked outrage among fans of the series but have also raised awareness for some form of protection to those who appear on the show.
This comes in after several former contestants in last year's season have complained of being exposed to racial abuse from viewers of the show.
O'Dowd made his opinions on the matter public in an interview with Radio Times. He told the British publication, “I'm a big X Factor fan. Generally my favourites go out in the first few weeks and, of course, because the viewing public is so racist, all the black, strong singers go out in round five every year.”
X Factor fans have since blasted the Irish actor on Twitter for his remarks, but several other people in the media have spoken out on the issue, including some racial equality campaigners such as Simon Wooley, director for Operation Black Vote.
Among the former contestants who complained of racial abuse during or after the show were Hannah Barrett, who competed last year and was actually one of the favorites, boy band Rough Copy and Kazeem Ajob. They all reported Twitter abuse from people who watched the show.
X Factor has featured a large number of racially diverse contestants, including past winner Leona Lewis, so it can't be held accountable for the reactions of its audience. Now the attention comes to social media website, Twitter and the way in which it lets users post anonymously. This is believed to be the main reason some people chose to speak out so harshly against black X Factor contestants.