Dermot O’Leary Reflects on The X Factor and Duty of Care in the Music Industry
Seven years after The X Factor ended, presenter Dermot O’Leary has spoken out about the show’s legacy and the duty of care owed to musicians across the music industry. According to a report in The Times, O’Leary defended the show against criticism, stating that most negative experiences of contestants occurred after they left the set.
The Irish presenter, who hosted the singing contest from 2007 to 2014 and returned for its final three seasons between 2016 to 2018, said that the culture of the show was "pretty much always celebratory". "If the show was made now, it’d be made differently," he told The Times. "The culture is different, but it was pretty much always celebratory. Look, not everyone on the show is going to knock it out of the park. Not everyone is going to have the best experience."
O’Leary’s comments come as the music industry continues to grapple with concerns about the treatment of contestants on reality TV shows. The X Factor, which launched the careers of One Direction and Olly Murs, drew 19.4 million viewers at its peak, but its legacy has been marred by retrospective concerns about the treatment of contestants. According to O’Leary, most of the negative experiences of contestants occurred after they left the set. "But most of the people we had on were treated really well, and a lot of people who have talked negatively about their experiences are talking about what happened after they left," he said. "I think 99 out of 100 actually missed the show — they missed the bubble. So if there is a duty of care to be looked at, it’s what happens afterwards."
The issue of duty of care in the music industry has taken on a new urgency following the death of former X Factor contestant Liam Payne last year. Payne, who was just 31 years old, died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. O’Leary paid tribute to Payne, describing him as "both wise and sort of a young soul at the same time". "And that’s an industry-wide conversation that should be had," he said. "Duty of care is the most important thing when doing shows like this and I wouldn’t dare to presume to speak for everyone. But in my experience, it was always taken seriously on the show — and would be even more thorough now."
As reported by The Independent, O’Leary’s comments highlight the need for a wider conversation about the duty of care owed to musicians across the music industry. The Independent has long reported on the issue of mental health in the music industry, and the need for greater support and resources for artists. According to a source close to the industry, "The music industry is waking up to the fact that it needs to take care of its own. The death of Liam Payne is a tragic reminder of the pressures and pitfalls that artists can face."
In an interview with The Independent, O’Leary emphasised the importance of providing support and resources for artists. "The music industry is a high-pressure industry, and it’s not just the artists who are affected," he said. "The crew, the management, everyone is under a lot of pressure. We need to make sure that we’re providing the support and resources that people need to cope with that pressure."
The Independent has previously reported on the issue of mental health in the music industry, and the need for greater support and resources for artists. As O’Leary noted, "Duty of care is the most important thing when doing shows like this." As the music industry continues to grapple with these issues, it is clear that the conversation about duty of care is only just beginning.
The legacy of The X Factor and its impact on contestants has been a topic of debate in recent years. While the show launched the careers of many successful artists, it has also been criticised for its treatment of contestants. As O’Leary noted, "Not everyone on the show is going to knock it out of the park. Not everyone is going to have the best experience." However, he emphasised that the show’s producers and staff did take the duty of care of contestants seriously.
In conclusion, Dermot O’Leary’s comments on The X Factor and duty of care in the music industry highlight the need for a wider conversation about the support and resources provided to artists. As the music industry continues to evolve, it is clear that the issue of duty of care will remain a pressing concern. By providing more support and resources for artists, the industry can help to ensure that artists are able to thrive and succeed in a healthy and sustainable way.
