Former X Factor stylist accuses the show of ‘rife misogyny’

Grace Woodward, a TV presenter and former stylist for The X Factor, has claimed the show was “rife with misogyny” when she worked on it back in 2010.

During an exclusive interview with The Sun, she talked about her questionable experiences with certain contestants in particular – including Liam Payne, ex-member of One Direction. Grace also opened up about how female contestants would allegedly struggle with sexism on set, particularly Katie Waissel, Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson.

Photo via YouTube

Tabloids initially linked the fashion director with 2010 winner Matt Cardle – which she says sparked the attention of Liam Payne. “When he asked me to sit on his lap it was light-hearted,” she said. “But how many ordinary 17-year-olds would ask that of someone working with them in a professional capacity? But no-one said a word.”

She claimed the One Direction boys were “treated differently” from the rest of the artists – they were the first to get their own rooms, they had a separate styling team and their outfits were always “obsessively” thought-through.

Photo via ITV

As well as the female contestants, even former judges Cheryl Cole and Danii Minogue were reduced to tears over mounting pressure.  Grace said: “Every woman on that show was expendable, and that was implicit in everything.

“I felt that everyone who took part was exploited for financial gain. But what I saw over and over again was the women having a hard time, fighting for their places, while the men did what they wanted.”

Grace is now an ambassador for Women’s Aid, as well as a feminist activist.

The Tab has reached out to Syco Entertainment and ITV for comment.

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Featured image via YouTube and ITV.