14 DAY TRIAL // Katie Waissel, one of Cheryl Cole’s chosen girls for the latest edition of X Factor, is threatening to quit because of how she’s been painted in the media and how her image is handled on the show.
Sources close to the aspiring singer talked to the Mirror, saying Katie is having a really bad time on the show, what with last week’s performance (which didn’t go as she planned) and the media scandal before it.
She’s already spoken to producers and her mentor Cheryl, telling them she’s seriously considering leaving the show because she can no longer take criticism and having other people make her into something that she’s not.
Regarding that second thing that’s gotten her so upset, Katie was promised she’d be allowed to go “back to basics” for her upcoming performance – or she walks.
“Katie was really down after the weekend and was saying on Monday she would walk away from the show if they continue to make her wear crazy outfits and portray her badly,” the spy tells the Mirror.
“She blames the show for making it look like it was her against Gamu for the live finals, when it was all the girls against each other. Katie really wants to turn things around and get the public on side and she has been hurt by all the criticism,” the same source adds.
To add insult to injury, she’s also come down with a bad throat infection, which is not allowing her to get enough practice for this week’s show.
“She has a great voice and great potential but her week has got off to a bad start because she has a throat infection and so can’t practice much,” the spy explains.
As for how producers would like to “sell” her to audiences, Katie is simply not happy with that over-quirky image. Last week, for instance, she had to wear a really futuristic hat on stage – and she hated it.
She doesn’t want people to be distracted by her off the wall look, which is why she plans on toning it down a bit, or else she leaves the show if producers won’t let her.
“People need to be talking about Katie’s voice and her performance, not some ridiculous costume,” the spy explains.
“She just needs a solid hit song to sing on Saturday that can win her the votes and give her the confidence she needs to go forward,” the same source dishes for the Mirror.