most of the finalists that have been on this show, are fed the lie that they can crack it, they can make it in this business

but the sad reality is, that the vast majority of them will never have any lasting success.

I predict that this time next year we'll be struggling to even recall any of the finalists from this years x-factor. most of them,if not all, will end up in mundane jobs like the rest of us do. working in some office in slough perhaps.

why? because x-factor fame isn't built around lasting musical talent or ability. it's built upon news stories, image, and singing covers of other peoples songs. these are shifting sands not real foundations.

basically it exists to make simon cowell even richer than he already is. and that makes me sad.

Agreed, however I feel that there is a lot of reasons for this. Cowell has only been successful through being a workaholic and maintains that in the reality the contestants who will make it will need to take on the same type of work ethic. Most people that win dont really see the enormity of that because on the show the hard work is done for them to a large degree. Cowell has always maintained that your lucky if you get one of these types of people in a 10 year space. He believes that one person in 9 years of x factor was Leona Lewis. To him he achieved the ultimate goal with her, i think he grew bored after that.

They'll make a decent amount from the tour and personal appearances.

Hey since most of these kids are just second rate singers who couldn't write a good song if their life depended on it the XF is still a decent gig.