This week has seen over a thousand people file complaints to The X Factor about the decision to keep unpopular contestant Katie Waissel in the show.
Inevitably, a facebook campaign has started up and now there are claims that Katie is seeking hypnotherapy. The Guardian’s Deborah Orr is even citing Guy Debord in her analysis of the events.
Now, while we admit that Katie’s insincere drama queen shenanigans, aversion to shoes and general air of self-conscious quirkiness is intensely annoying, what effect can all this publicity be having on the 24-year-old singer’s mental health?
‘The power of public ridicule is penetrating,’ says Dr Alex Yellowlees, consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Hospitals Glasgow and Edinburgh. ‘It can lower self worth, undermine confidence and lead to self loathing, self destructive feelings and depression.’
Having been in the bottom two three times now, anyone can see that she is not going to win. And, as has been revealed this week, ejected contestant TreyC received three times as many votes as her. So why are producers keeping her in the show, against so much clear evidence that the viewers don’t like her?
It’s pretty clear why. People are talking about her, and viewers watch the show to see how she’ll behave next. But is the decision to keep Katie Waissel in The X Factor (and, tomorrow, sing Elton John’s The Bitch Is Back) doing her more harm than good? What do you think?
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