‘X Factor’ hopeful Saara Aalto has defended her performance over the weekend, after being accused by some critics of cultural appropriation.
During this weekend’s live shows, Saara put on an elaborate show for her performance, covering Girls Aloud’s first number one single, ‘Sound Of The Underground’.
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Good wig
SycoThamesDymond
However, the various Japanese elements of Saara’s staging and wardrobe rubbed some viewers up the wrong way, who took to Twitter to voice their concerns that it was culturally insensitive.
Speaking about whether the more elaborate elements of her performance could have been a distraction during Monday’s (7 November) ‘Good Morning Britain’, Saara said: “We had a party in Tokyo with that song, you know? So that was it.
“I wanted to bring something new to the song, so it was my idea to bring something Asian to it. It was mainly the intro to the song which I sang in an Asian way… but the costume and the staging were, like, woah, very produced. But I loved it, I’ve waited my whole life to do performances like that, so I was very happy to do it.”
‘X Factor’ creative director Brian Friedman, who is heavily involved in the production of each performance behind the scenes, has also had his say on the controversy.
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Brian Friedman is not afraid of a bold coat
Anthony Harvey via Getty Images
Sharing a collage of artists like Madonna, Beyoncé and Katy Perry in ensembles inspired by Asian culture on his Instagram page, he wrote: “Really shocked that people are questioning our cultural appropriateness for [Saara’s] performance... I am obsessed with Japanese culture, have spent much of my life there and speak Japanese!
“If you took this wrong, your head was in the wrong place... only love!”
This isn’t the first time the current series of ‘X Factor’ has been called out for cultural appropriation, with many suggesting that novelty rapper Honey G’s act could be perceived as racist.
She has denied this on more than one occasion, saying on the matter most recently: “I’ve never said anything racist or behaved in that way, just because I’m pushing music from a black origin doesn’t mean I’m attacking black culture.”
“I think people are discriminating against me, they are using the race card against me. I feel like they are discriminating against me because I am white. It makes me question whether they have a problem with someone rapping who is white.”
There were accusations of a fix when Simon Cowell saved novelty act Jedward over Lucie Jones when they landed in the bottom two in 2009, despite his prior dislike of them.
His vote sent it to Deadlock, with the results of the public vote revealing Welsh singer Lucie had been eliminated. (credit:Rex)
Amelia Lily (Series 8)(02 of08)
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Amelia Lily was one of four contestants voted off in the very first week of live shows during the 2011 series, when a cruel twist meant each judge was forced to ditch one act each from their categories.
Viewers felt she was axed before her time, and voted for her to return to the competition when they were given a chance to choose a replacement for axed Frankie Cocozza, following his drugs scandal.
Amelia then went on to finish third in the competition overall, and egg was well and truly on Kelly Rowland's face. (credit:Rex)
Carolynne Poole (Series 9)(03 of08)
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Just think how different the showbiz world would be today if Rylan had been voted off in week one of the 2012 series of 'The X Factor'.
It was a real possibility when he landed in the bottom two alongside Carolynne Poole. Her elimination was particularly controversial as there were claims a producer had told Louis Walsh to send to the judges' vote to Deadlock.
The fact Louis had chosen to save Rylan also prompted fellow judge Gary Barlow to walk off the show in disgust. (credit:Rex)
Laura White (Series 5)(04 of08)
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'X Factor' fans were shocked when former favourite Laura was voted off the show during week five of the 2008 series.
It proved to be one of the greatest sing-offs ever when she went up against Ruth Lorenzo in the bottom two. But when the judges failed to agree on who to send home, it went to Deadlock and Laura was shown the door. (credit:Rex)
Maria Lawson (Series 2)(05 of08)
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Maria's departure was the first ever 'X Factor' exit that proved to be a real shocker. She was favourite ahead of eventual winner Shayne Ward to win, before she landed in the bottom two in week five of the 2005 series.
After going head-to-head with The Conway Sisters in the sing-off, Sharon was the only one to save Maria, as Simon backed his own act, and Louis voted to keep the Irish girlband, obviously. (credit:Rex)
Ella Henderson (Series 9)(06 of08)
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It was probably the biggest shock in 'X Factor' history when both James Arthur and Ella Henderson landed in the bottom two in week seven of the 2012 series.
After Tulisa and Louis voted to send home James, and Nicole and Gary voted to eliminate Ella, Deadlock was called, and it was revealed Ella would be leaving the competition, after receiving the fewest public votes.
James eventually went on to win the series, while coming sixth certainly didn't hamper Ella's future career, as she later signed with Simon Cowell's label. (credit:Rex)
Aiden Grimshaw (Series 7)(07 of08)
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Having been in the bottom two a grand total of three times before, Katie Waissel couldn't quite believe it when a Deadlock situation revealed she'd polled more votes than Aiden Grimshaw.
Years later, we still feel Aiden was sent home far too early. (credit:Rex)
Gamu (Series 7)(08 of08)
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Cheryl Cole (as she then was) went from national treasure to public enemy number one when she failed to pick Gamu as one of her final three girls in 2010.
Her decision proved particularly divisive as she'd put through Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd who'd both messed up their Judges' Houses performances, while Gamu had aced hers.