For me she was certainly the most interesting act that year. However, I think she was too inexperienced for the live shows, and her confidence was dwindling trying so hard to fit into the X Factor mould.
The judges weren't much help either, they only seemed to stick the knife in further, and it was another reason I couldn't bear Gary as a judge. I thought it was a bit of a cheek to get rid of her up against Misha (who had been bottom two many times) it reeked of removing the competition. But in the long run it was probably a good thing.
Overall the X Factor process just didn't agree with her, mainly because she had thoughts of her own, and I bet she's glad to be away from all the ridiculousness that comes with the show and being the winner. lol
Janet became vocal behind the scenes ...and Simon/producers werent having any of it!!! But Janet dug a hole for herself...going by the hype around her she began to believe it herself and thought she was in for the win!!! Even Louis, who was singing her praises at 1st, werent impressed with her as time went on!! He showed a similar dislike towards Misha in week 3....but as we know, that 'incident' backfired on him BIGTIME....the sunday night when he had to apologise, that is!!!
The producers swiftly turned against her, stuck her on early every single week without fail, gave her rubbish songs, undermined her at every opportunity- they even selected the parts where she forgot her words in the voting recap just to remind people. You could tell she was aware of it and it's like she just gave up, lost all confidence and wanted to go. She was 16 and a long way from home, seemed to be a bit isolated and had a mentor who didn't seem to like her or her style of music much.
From what I remember she was supposedly quite stubborn about what sort of artist she wanted to be and didn't want to read some of the scripted comments in her VTs etc. The sort of contestant that scares the **** out of Syco so they did a "Mary Byrne" on her.
I also don't think her popularity was just an Irish thing either as back then her performances used to get a considerably more views than any of the others on Youtube. I don't think people watch videos on Youtube out of patriotism.
Because she was better than bollox stuff she was made to sing once the powers wanted rid of her
She will be the only one of last year that will produce anything credible in the music industry.
The rest are bubblegum turd with a really bad smell
For me she was certainly the most interesting act that year. However, I think she was too inexperienced for the live shows, and her confidence was dwindling trying so hard to fit into the X Factor mould.
The judges weren't much help either, they only seemed to stick the knife in further, and it was another reason I couldn't bear Gary as a judge. I thought it was a bit of a cheek to get rid of her up against Misha (who had been bottom two many times) it reeked of removing the competition. But in the long run it was probably a good thing.
Overall the X Factor process just didn't agree with her, mainly because she had thoughts of her own, and I bet she's glad to be away from all the ridiculousness that comes with the show and being the winner. lol
I saw her on an interview after she left and i think i have to agree with you..she just didnt want to moulded ..either very mature for her tender years or very immature.
As a young teen she still has many oppertunities open to her
I think most sensible people know what happened. It was so obvious but I often wondered what the reasons for the sudden change from the producers. It wasn't even subtle.
From ending week 2 as "Voice of an angel" to starting week 3 being called "boring" by Louis before she had even sung is quite a shift.
I believe that the way the show picks it's winners & losers is based on who is willing to do anything to win no matter what.
I have heard several runours that the show wanted Janet to dump her boyfriend and go out with Naill Horan from 1D to get her publicity and an American audience - but she refused to do this. There was also the issue of them wanting her to sing cheesey pop covers and portray a false image to the public.
Compare this to Little Mix who suddenly came into favour. They all suddenly dumped their boyfriends by text (leigh-anne had been dating the same guy for 5 years) and all subsequently started "dating" people signed to the Syco label inc. Perrie "dating" Zayne from 1D.
To continue the comparison we were told every week that Janet was "Boring, weird, awkward, boring, difficult, not shy, and boring."
At the same time we were told that Little Mix "Loved their mums, were great role models, Jesy was being bullied but was being brave and true to who she was (before they sung beautiful with full on tearful close-ups), they were the next big thing etc. Even to the extent that Tulisa was banging on the table saying "If these girls go out it's YOUR fault."
As for Janet forgetting the words - I have heard a rumour (unproven) that in week 5 they kept her busy so she had little time to rehearse, then switched some of the lyrics around prior to the show.
In week 8 - Mmmbop - she wanted to sing "In the Summertime" but they wouldn't let her and she did say she had food poisoning. It was Louis and the editting that kept repeating the "You forgot the lines" sentence.
More worryingly was the guy who phone up on Xtra-factor and said "Janet forgot the words - it would be so unfair if she stayed and YOUR favourite went out." For me that was a direct plea to the viewers to pick up the phone and vote for anyone but Janet. In fact it sounded like a member of the X factor team had made the call.
Again (not wanting to pick on Little Mix - just comparing) when they forgot the words the following week the look on the judges' faces was of pure shock. Louis said "there was something missing but I'm not sure what" and there then ensued a fake argument about a lead singer which angered Little Mix fans enuring they voted multiple times. They were then moved to the pimp slot for their second peformance and heaped with OTT praise - greatest girlband in the world ever etc. The fact that hey forgot the words was never mentioned again.
I could go on but I'll just add the link to Sofabet's great article from 2011.
One more worrying point. In the reminder show a couple of months ago they gave most acts a very good profile - Frankie had 20 mins of "Frankie is a lovely guy" nonsense.
Janet received a couple of minutes of "Janet struggled and forgot the words."
I heard on the grapevine that they would only talk to her about Mmmbop on the reminder show and she was very aware that they were manipulating her.
To me this is an indication that Syco still holds a grudge toward Janet for messing up their plans as Simon Cowell admitted he has toward Will Young (and tried to destroy his career) and she will be blanked from X Factor's fellow shows such as This Morning (which also ran a campaign to dampen her vote), and she will need the support of her fans to make sure she has the career she deserves.
This is actually a very important topic.
The numbers are growing within the zombie hoards who buy the crapped out fake music they are spoon-fed by the music industry and are too dumb to realise.
Janet will be releasing her own music independently and is in a unique position of actually being a successful independent - that in itself would be an amazing achievement in an industry which is closed off to all but those willing to play the game.
I thought she was awful but we all have our own opinions.
But the topic was created in basically a warning to what is happening at the minute with Christopher, except he seems to be battling against the manipulation better.
Janet was destroying everyone in the vote and didn't win all of a sudden.
Thiswillbefun I think your observations of all the XF manipulation is probably very close to reality, re Janet. She though is not the only example of a victim of the manipulation there has been over the years.
The show is not a family entertainment show. It appears to be the really ugly side of the Music Industry played out on our screens. A quick route to stardom depending on whether you are willing to do whatever is asked on the "casting couch". Basically, you have to allow yourself to be a cog in the wheel of the machine. Those who say no are branded flops and never to darken the XF door of opportunity again.
XF is a business and it doesn't allow for individuality really. It flys in the face of whoever the 'artistic' people started out being. Enter the XF door of opportunity and you are owned by them. In return you are given the means to superstardom.
I don't resent anyone doing well. Selling your soul though may have its repercussions at some point in their future.
Perhaps using it as a launching pad and going onto a modicum of success is healthier in the long-term.
Comments
The judges weren't much help either, they only seemed to stick the knife in further, and it was another reason I couldn't bear Gary as a judge. I thought it was a bit of a cheek to get rid of her up against Misha (who had been bottom two many times) it reeked of removing the competition. But in the long run it was probably a good thing.
Overall the X Factor process just didn't agree with her, mainly because she had thoughts of her own, and I bet she's glad to be away from all the ridiculousness that comes with the show and being the winner. lol
And Mmm Bop, forgotten lyrics or not, was a colossal mess.
From what I remember she was supposedly quite stubborn about what sort of artist she wanted to be and didn't want to read some of the scripted comments in her VTs etc. The sort of contestant that scares the **** out of Syco so they did a "Mary Byrne" on her.
I also don't think her popularity was just an Irish thing either as back then her performances used to get a considerably more views than any of the others on Youtube. I don't think people watch videos on Youtube out of patriotism.
She will be the only one of last year that will produce anything credible in the music industry.
The rest are bubblegum turd with a really bad smell
They wanted her out so as soon as she reached bottom two she got voted out in favour of Misha.
And his performance was pretty bad too, massive hometown voting,in his favour, working yet again!!!
As a young teen she still has many oppertunities open to her
From ending week 2 as "Voice of an angel" to starting week 3 being called "boring" by Louis before she had even sung is quite a shift.
I believe that the way the show picks it's winners & losers is based on who is willing to do anything to win no matter what.
I have heard several runours that the show wanted Janet to dump her boyfriend and go out with Naill Horan from 1D to get her publicity and an American audience - but she refused to do this. There was also the issue of them wanting her to sing cheesey pop covers and portray a false image to the public.
Compare this to Little Mix who suddenly came into favour. They all suddenly dumped their boyfriends by text (leigh-anne had been dating the same guy for 5 years) and all subsequently started "dating" people signed to the Syco label inc. Perrie "dating" Zayne from 1D.
To continue the comparison we were told every week that Janet was "Boring, weird, awkward, boring, difficult, not shy, and boring."
At the same time we were told that Little Mix "Loved their mums, were great role models, Jesy was being bullied but was being brave and true to who she was (before they sung beautiful with full on tearful close-ups), they were the next big thing etc. Even to the extent that Tulisa was banging on the table saying "If these girls go out it's YOUR fault."
As for Janet forgetting the words - I have heard a rumour (unproven) that in week 5 they kept her busy so she had little time to rehearse, then switched some of the lyrics around prior to the show.
In week 8 - Mmmbop - she wanted to sing "In the Summertime" but they wouldn't let her and she did say she had food poisoning. It was Louis and the editting that kept repeating the "You forgot the lines" sentence.
More worryingly was the guy who phone up on Xtra-factor and said "Janet forgot the words - it would be so unfair if she stayed and YOUR favourite went out." For me that was a direct plea to the viewers to pick up the phone and vote for anyone but Janet. In fact it sounded like a member of the X factor team had made the call.
Again (not wanting to pick on Little Mix - just comparing) when they forgot the words the following week the look on the judges' faces was of pure shock. Louis said "there was something missing but I'm not sure what" and there then ensued a fake argument about a lead singer which angered Little Mix fans enuring they voted multiple times. They were then moved to the pimp slot for their second peformance and heaped with OTT praise - greatest girlband in the world ever etc. The fact that hey forgot the words was never mentioned again.
I could go on but I'll just add the link to Sofabet's great article from 2011.
http://sofabet.com/2011/11/27/x-factor-2011-week-8-post-mortem-janet-devlin-dies-a-death-of-thousand-cuts/
One more worrying point. In the reminder show a couple of months ago they gave most acts a very good profile - Frankie had 20 mins of "Frankie is a lovely guy" nonsense.
Janet received a couple of minutes of "Janet struggled and forgot the words."
I heard on the grapevine that they would only talk to her about Mmmbop on the reminder show and she was very aware that they were manipulating her.
To me this is an indication that Syco still holds a grudge toward Janet for messing up their plans as Simon Cowell admitted he has toward Will Young (and tried to destroy his career) and she will be blanked from X Factor's fellow shows such as This Morning (which also ran a campaign to dampen her vote), and she will need the support of her fans to make sure she has the career she deserves.
This is actually a very important topic.
The numbers are growing within the zombie hoards who buy the crapped out fake music they are spoon-fed by the music industry and are too dumb to realise.
Janet will be releasing her own music independently and is in a unique position of actually being a successful independent - that in itself would be an amazing achievement in an industry which is closed off to all but those willing to play the game.
Even when I was supporting Bo Bruce on The Voice I was thinking about how I still missed Janet, so I look forward to her new music with huge interest.
Janet was destroying everyone in the vote and didn't win all of a sudden.
At the end Syco needs a commercial success. Or else how is the franchise relevant?
I wish Janet all the luck and I think she will do well on her own.
The show is not a family entertainment show. It appears to be the really ugly side of the Music Industry played out on our screens. A quick route to stardom depending on whether you are willing to do whatever is asked on the "casting couch". Basically, you have to allow yourself to be a cog in the wheel of the machine. Those who say no are branded flops and never to darken the XF door of opportunity again.
XF is a business and it doesn't allow for individuality really. It flys in the face of whoever the 'artistic' people started out being. Enter the XF door of opportunity and you are owned by them. In return you are given the means to superstardom.
I don't resent anyone doing well. Selling your soul though may have its repercussions at some point in their future.
Perhaps using it as a launching pad and going onto a modicum of success is healthier in the long-term.