AS The X Factor nears its 2016 conclusion, former contestants, parents and industry experts have spoken out about the dire conditions on-set at the popular reality singing competition.
While many contestants wanted to remain anonymous due to non-disclosure agreements signed with the Seven Network and production company FremantleMedia, Tamworth mother and daughter duo Johanna and Bianca Vitalone described their experience reaching the top 12 on last year's show as "awful".
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Mrs Vitalone, a professional cruise ship entertainer, said contestants were forced to endure arduous filming days, often without breaks, and situations where songs were chosen for them then criticised by the show's celebrity judges.
"I think the reason they put a lot of stress on young people and don't give them water or breaks is for ratings. It makes people break down more when they're run down," she said.
"A little boy fainted during filming. I think he was around 14. We were filming from really early in the morning and nobody had any water."
"They don't let you choose songs, but then the judges will say, 'Why did you choose that song?'. My daughter said to me, 'Why did they say that when they make you sing what you don't want to sing?'"
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Melbourne music producer Lee Bradshaw, who had produced albums for Christine Anu and worked with half a dozen X Factor contestants, said the psychological damage was "unbelievable".
"I know people who have been kept waiting 10 to 12 hours to audition. They don't know what's happening. They don't get fed. I know people who have completely just given up performing because they have a bad experience."
A spokesperson for Channel Seven categorically denied claims of artist mistreatment and said the show relied on good relationships with its talent.
"The welfare of contestants at every stage of the competition is an absolute priority for the production," she said. "Every effort is made to ensure they are safe, cared for and their needs are being met. There are well-established procedures in place to ensure the safety and welfare of contestants is of the highest industry standards at all times."
Contestants described being manipulated by producers during interviews where they were asked about the deaths of relatives and sad moments in their lives.
"They really, really hound the kids psychologically in interviews to see what pushes their buttons and see what upsets them," said one agent. "I find that quite sickening."
One artist from this year, who wanted to remain anonymous due to her contract with Seven and Fremantle, said she felt producers were trying to fish emotions out of her by asking about difficult times in her life.
"Some people came out of interviews and had been crying," she said. "They really manipulate you and ask probing questions to try and make you emotional."
"I would say to people the show isn't what you think it is. It's really quite a horrible process and it's not kind to people at all."
One former contestant said she had seen several contestants "broken" by the experience and had quit singing after being told they weren't good enough.
Agents, contestants and parents who spoke to Fairfax Media said auditions ran into the morning during the bootcamp stage, with Sydney-based contestants expected to drive home as late as 2am.
A spokesperson for Channel Seven denied the allegations, maintaining that auditions had never run past midnight.
"It's not safe," said one agent who didn't want to be named. "One contestant rang me and said she nearly fell asleep at the wheel driving home."
"They get you up at 8am in the morning and you arrive and they tell you you're going to be on any minute when they have no intention of having you perform until 11pm or 12am at night," said a former contestant.
One artist said performers this season were not allowed to leave the stage for six hours during filming of one round dubbed the seat challenge.
"They were just filming and filming until they were done," he said.
Conditions at the public auditions weren't any better, with parents and contestants complaining about being kept in the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre with no food, water or heating in the middle of winter.
"A lot of the contestants fell sick afterwards because we had to wait all day to be interviewed and it was freezing," said an artist from this season. "One contestant fell really ill and he spent the whole three days of bootcamp in bed rest."
Channel Seven slammed allegations performers weren't given toilet breaks as "bizarre" and said meals were provided and bottled water was on set "at all times". Artists were also reportedly free to leave the audition centre whenever they liked.
The accusations come ahead of The X Factor finale on Monday, with speculation the show won't return in 2017 due to a large drop in ratings.
Mr Bradshaw said the show was "trading on the hopes and aspirations" of people who didn't know any better.
"The biggest point in the end is that it's not about music."
The X Factor finale airs on Seven on Monday at 7.30pm.