X Factor under scrutiny again over mental health of Kitty Brucknell
By Liz Lockhart
It is with regret that we report on the fragile mental state of yet another contestant in a realty/talent show.
Over the weekend we reported on Kerry Katona as she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother after her 
mother said that she was worried sick that the pressure may push her over the edge. Read our report here.
Now we watch and listen to Kitty Brucknell singing about being pushed over the edge. The lyrics seemed appropriate as we watched yet more ‘crash and burn’ t.v. Kitty’s emotional rendition made for painful viewing. Her voice is great but she does not appear to be made of the ‘strong stuff’ that is necessary to survive in this industry.
Already the press is all over her with AOL reporting on her under the title ‘X Factor hopeful Kitty ‘in bootcamp meltdown’’. The Sunday Mirror says that Kitty went into meltdown at bootcamp, crying ‘I want to jump off a cliff. I can’t carry on.’ It then continues by describing her as ‘the new Katie Waissel’ on account of her diva behaviour and reports that she is not popular with other contestants. Yet another report in the Mirror claims that Kitty broke down at Salsdon Park Hotel in Croydon, sobbing ‘This is the worst day of my life. The public are going to hate me. The judges just don’t get me’.
The intense pressure that comes with exposure on these talent and reality programmes is intense. To be hurled suddenly into the spotlight can prove too much for many ordinary people, however much talent they may have.
Whilst Simon Cowell continues to make a fortune from the X Factor he could well consider ploughing some of it back into ensuring the emotional stability of the contestants. The ‘bootcamp’ procedure takes the contestants away from the stability of family and friends. Many are young and vulnerable and need advice on the pitfalls of stardom from trained professionals. Whilst some provision may be in place it seems questionable that it is adequate.
Watching this programme sometimes feels like watching lambs going to slaughter. X Factor offers a unique opportunity for talented individuals to hit the big time but it also offers the possibility to stumble and fall in a very public arena.
