X Factor’s Honey G fiercely defends Simon Cowell’s show amid backlash: ‘There was no pressure to hide my sexuality’

X Factor’s Honey G has defended Simon Cowell and the ITV programme amid backlash from other former contestants.

The rapper, whose real name is Anna Gilford, appeared on the show’s 13^th series in 2016 and exited in fifth place, with Nicole Scherzinger’s act Matt Terry going on to win.

X Factor was blasted by Jedward earlier this month, who claimed ‘every contestant was a slave to the show’, with Lloyd Daniels previously saying he didn’t feel he could be open about dating a man during his time on the programme. Chico also came forward and said bosses ‘don’t care about you’ and that the show ‘use you and then abuse you’.

A spokesperson for The X Factor told Metro.co.uk: ‘Duty of care to our contestants is of the utmost importance to us. We take welfare very seriously and have measures in place to ensure that they are supported.’

Honey G supported the idea that X Factor was a safe environment in an exclusive interview with Metro.co.uk and said she was given access to dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).

The artist, who came out as lesbian in 2017, also disclosed that she was never pressured to either hide her sexuality or to come out.

‘I have to jump to Simon Cowell’s defence in this instance because I really can’t fault the duty of care that they had,’ Honey G told us. ‘My experience was very, very positive and I think they were lovely people. It was completely life-changing.’

Talking about the support she received behind-the-scenes, Honey G recalled: ‘I suffer from PTSD after I was car hijacked, sexually assaulted and kidnapped when I was at university in 2003 and when I got through to judges’ houses, I explained this to them.

‘They gave me my own bedroom in the X Factor house. They also paid for me to have weekly therapy with my DBT therapist. I also saw The X Factor doctor sometimes in person and I would sometimes speak to her on the phone. I also built a very strong relationship with their welfare producer, who was an absolute star. Not only did she exercise her duty of care over me, but also other contestants as well.’

Honey G continued: ‘They didn’t use and abuse people, they didn’t exploit people. I built some really strong relationships with the X Factor production team. To me, it was very much like a family.’

The rapper came out one year after appearing on the X Factor and said she wasn’t ready to share her sexuality with the world during her time on the show.

‘I just didn’t really feel it was the right time for me,’ she said. ‘I was maybe concerned about a homophobic backlash from fans. I was never ever under any pressure to disguise or hide my sexuality ever.

‘I was doing an interview with the press and I was with Sharon [Osbourne] and the press asked me about my sexuality and at no point did she ever pressure me not to reveal or not reveal my sexuality. She respected me and saw that I wasn’t ready.’

Honey G added: ‘I was on the show with Saara Aalto who was always very open about her sexuality during the show and we all had the utmost respect for each other. They also never had any problems with me deciding it wasn’t the right time for me to come out to the public.’

She also insisted the judges took a hands-on approach with the contestants and claimed Sharon would send luxury gifts to those who didn’t make it far into the competition.

‘There were certain times we were having rehearsals at Wembley and sometimes Simon would come over and have a chat with us as a group,’ Honey G remembered.

‘I was text messaging Sharon, I’m still friends with Sharon…’

Honey G, who is currently writing her tell-all memoir, credits X Factor for launching her career and says that she would return to the show in a heartbeat.

‘My experience after the show was very positive, it changed my life. I became a rap music star and a TV personality. I starred in panto, TV adverts, I performed internationally.

‘I’m hugely grateful for the experience that I had with all the judges. I haven’t got a bad thing to say about any of the judges for that year.’

She concluded: ‘I would be honoured to get the opportunity to either perform again on X Factor. I’d love to come back as a guest judge or even a judge. I’ve got the right credentials for it. I think I have a good eye for talent and a good ear as well.’

Got a story?  

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.