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Bizarre clause in X Factor contract
Last updated at 12:26pm on 10.12.08A bizarre clause in the X Factor finalists' contracts is revealed today.
The contract, which is enforceable anywhere in the world "and the solar system" says the artists must not make any comments that are unduly negative, critical or derogatory of the company " including its personnel and, in particular, Simon Cowell".
Don't diss him: Simon Cowell
The 80- page contract, which has hundreds of clauses, also reveals that the winner does NOT receive a £1m recording deal. Instead they will only pocket a tenth of that sum.
The winning artist gets an advance of £150,000, out of which they must pay their expenses. The only chance of hitting the £1m mark is several years down the line, after at least four albums.
A source said: "Even then, chances are they will never see that sort of money." The contract, which had to be signed by finalists Alexandra Burke, JLS and Eoghan Quigg before Saturday's live show, says the two acts who do not win are bound to Cowell's label for three months, even if they are not used.
And contestants booted off the show have to fork out five per cent of all earnings to Cowell for a year.
An X Factor spokesman said the £1m figure had to account for recording costs.
Meanwhile, Diana Vickers, the latest contestant to be booted off, performed at Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush last night, but the gig was nearly cancelled as organisers feared a repeat of scenes at Monday's JLS concert in Croydon, when up to 30 fans were hurt in a stampede.
Stampede fear: Diana Vickers at Westfield
A source said: " They decided to go ahead, but stepped up security to ensure maximum safety, for the crowd and Diana."
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Reader views (10)
Good luck to Simon they all get a chance to have a career due to his idea and show.Our Goverment screw us all the time with TV Licence complain about that lol .
- Ronnie Armstrong, Crawley west sussex
P Shah, London "Simon Cowell is GOD" - well, he THINKS he is, anyway.
- Diana, Edinburgh
you don't get owt for nowt...
Simon Cowell proves himself to be a genius all over again. Good luck to the man. Whatever success the X Factor contestants get should be shared with Cowell for making them something out of nothing.
Simon Cowell is GOD.
- P Shah, London
As a general principle, contract terms that breach people's freedom of speech should not be enforceable.
- Oliver Chettle, Bedford
Record labels have always sucked musicians dry. This is nothing new. . .
- Phil_Style, London
So contestants booted off the show have to fork out five per cent of all earnings to Cowell for a year. The average full time Mcdonalds worker Gets approx £12,000 pa. 5%=£600 That will keep cowel in tight fitting tops for at least a month.
- Donny, sunderland
What the problem here? these people had nothing before the X Factor and if they all really only ever wanted to be in the music business they would have spent years trawling the pub and club circuits with their bands, writing, and performing and not just entering a talant show. In addition they have had the benefit of voice and dance coaching and master classes on the show by internationally recognised professionals and public exposure that is worth millions. Seems like a fair deal to me.
- Howard, London UK
more fool them, if you want a proper musical career, learn to play a proper instrument, and put the proper effort in
- Rob, Peterborough
Sounds similar to Scientologies one billion year contract
- Mangoat, Worcester
So they dont get the £1,000,000 quid when they win and can go
holidaying every week. Got that completely wrong , so they have to
record an album, promote it , then pay for the studio time etc .
There will not be much left after all that ,about £150000 , i suppose.
- Mick, portsmouth uk
