Singing competitions aren't quite as popular as they used to be, but they still have a prominent place on the airwaves. Audiences love hearing people sing their hearts out, but love hearing judges rip these dreamers to shreds over a bad performance even more. One of the longest running of these shows is The X Factor, originated in Britain by Simon Cowell. Since the premiere series in 2004, the show has expanded all over the globe, with many countries having their own version.
Like many reality shows, being a part of it means agreeing to countless terms and restrictions. As the next fifteen entries will show, some of these regulations are downright bizarre. They'd be funny if they weren't effecting contestants for the rest of their lives.
So get ready to sing like there's no tomorrow, because here are 15 Crazy Rules Every Contestant Needs To Follow On The X Factor.
15 One Strike And You're Out
This isn't baseball, one penalty and it is bye bye to the prize. In the past, several contestants have been kicked out of their living quarters, or the show entirely, for one infraction. The producers are not playing around, and neither should the contestants who worked so hard to get there in the first place.
14 Signing Over Recording Rights
One of the myths of pop stardom is the idea that the stars themselves are worth millions. More often than not, it is the labels, managers, and everybody else who gets rich while the singer takes scraps. With this in mind, it is not too surprising to know that contestants sign over the rights to their future recordings before appearing on the show.
13 Disclosing Prior Criminal Offenses
This would immediately disqualify most rock stars of the past from competing. Before being approved, one must tell the network any prior crimes of which they have been convicted. Hopefully, a past criminal history does not immediately bar people from competing, and just makes sure said offense was not especially terrible.
12 Allowing One's Voice To Be Dubbed Into Any Language
Because of the show's international appeal and potential for a performance to go viral, one has to allow their voice to be dubbed in foreign languages. It must be a strange feeling to see one's self on a television screen with a different voice coming out of the mouth, but that's the nature of the medium these days.
11 Allow Usage Of Personal Information
Many of the contestants' introductions involve the telling of their life story. Sometimes they are normal, but they usually involve the overcoming of serious obstacles. To this effect, the show requires the usage of personal information and items, such as photos and videos, to convey these stories on TV and the internet.
10 Allow Constant Monitoring
The X Factor is entirely different from a reality show like Big Brother, but they both constantly monitor contestants like they were Santa Claus making a naughty list. To ensure the rules are followed at all times, the program is allowed to check up on the singers at all times during the competition.
9 Sign Contracts Based On A Lawyer's Advice
It's not unheard of for singers to get a lawyer's advice before signing a contract. In this case, however, the attorney is provided by the network. This means that the lawyer will more than likely be looking out for the best interest of the channel, and not those of the singer signing the dotted line.
8 Requiring Permission To Audition For Other Shows Afterwards
Even if someone loses the competition, the network is not done with controlling their life. Should the singer wish to take a crack at another televised vocal competition, they cannot do so without first getting the okay from The X-Factor. Fortunately, this stipulation only lasts a year before going away.
7 Non Disclosure Agreement
Producers don't like it when audiences know what transpires behind the scenes of reality shows. To prevent unwanted information from seeping out, all contestants are required to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement. Breach of this clause is subject to serious legal ramifications, and there's no way a poor singer's lawyer can stand up to a network's.
6 Rights For Media Not Yet Invented
Not only does the network have the rights to a contestant's performances on the internet, CDs, Blu-Rays, and other forms of media, they also claim the rights to use them on media that has yet to be invented. Future proofing contracts is normal, but some of these clauses seem to extend beyond the grave and into the afterlife.
5 Must Promote The Show For One Month Without Pay
One would think a network's marketing budget would be big enough to pay the contestants for their work, but this stipulation says otherwise. Either that, or they are greedy and don't want to pay the people who make audiences tune in in the first place. Whatever the reason, those who want in on the show better clear their calendars.
4 Cannot Perform On Television Or Radio Without Permission
Most people want to be on television, which is what's so appealing about participating on The X Factor. However, if the show doesn't want one going on television afterwards, they are within their rights to refuse permission to a contestant who wants to perform on the air or radio waves.
3 No Drinking
When living under the accommodations provided by the network, alcohol is strictly prohibited. Pop stardom tends to entail a hefty amount of drinking, so it's surprising to discover that the sauce is off limits. Ultimately, it is probably better for the performers that they don't show up to rehearsals sloshed.
2 No Whoopee
This is one thing expected to transpire when a bunch of young, eager, talented people live together for a few weeks, but it is strictly against the rules. Those who want to engage in some naughty business do so at the risk of being kicked out of the competition and losing their chance at stardom.
1 No Partying
Hard partying is not only frowned upon, it is a direct violation of the rules during the competition. When someone makes it onto the show, it is to get serious, and not not to indulge in the finer sides of fame. They should wait until after the season is done to start going crazy.
Who are your favorite singers from The X Factor? Let us know in the comments!