Shows like X factor do as much harm as good, say Jedward
But they wouldn’t change a thing
POP twins Jedward claimed this weekend that X Factor ‘does as much damage as it does good’ – but they still ‘wouldn’t change a thing’ about their pathway to fame.
Twins John and Edward Grimes were in the news this week after calling their former mentor and manager, Louis Walsh, a ‘coldhearted, two-faced b **** ’, after he sent a call-out for a new girl band.
The pair tweeted: ‘Louis Walsh wants to make another girl band like Girls Aloud who he told had to lose weight.’
The brothers were famously contestants on The X Factor when Irish judge Walsh plucked them from obscurity and managed them to fame before a contentious parting of ways.
But while Jedward harbour some misgivings about the show that propelled their career as pop stars and personalities, they concede that it provided a launch pad to the entertainment industry.
‘It does as much damage as it does good,’ Edward told the Irish Mail on Sunday. ‘In the music industry to get respect, it’s almost better to start from an organic form.’
But John chipped in with a rosier view, saying: ‘But I wouldn’t change anything. It’s great that we can always be the underdog and keep growing as a person.
‘When it comes to a talent show, you don’t want to come on as a 10, you want to go on and give people a taste and grow from there.
‘As long as you’re passionate about music you just want to keep on growing and evolving as a person. That’s what life is all about,’ he said reflectively.
While the brothers Grimes didn’t win The X Factor, they were signed by Walsh, who set about making them stars.
Under his stewardship, the singing siblings went on to achieve success in the music industry, releasing albums and representing Ireland at Eurovision.
But the trio parted ways some years ago and it seems their differences are irreconcilable.
Mayoman and music manager Walsh last week intimated he was poised to step back into the popband realm saying he is seeking ‘young, exciting new girl singers’ this autumn for a proposed band.
Louis’ words drew the wrath of Jedward who responded on Twitter with a scathing rebuke of Louis’ managerial style.
‘Don’t get involved with Toxic Management!’ they tweeted.
The pair dialled up the ire with a second tweet.
They wrote: ‘Louis Walsh at this point only wants acts to manage to make it look like he’s doing something! He’s a cold-hearted two-faced b **** who uses his powers for his own benefit!’
And Louis Walsh isn’t the only X Factor judge in Jedward’s line of fire recently.
In April, they launched a tirade against the talent show’s creator, Simon Cowell, with the Grimes twins tweeting that their biggest regret was ‘not telling the judges on X Factor to f*** off’.
‘Louis uses his powers for his own benefit’