Eliminated ‘X Factor’ contestant Honey G was pulled off-air mid-way through a live radio interview, after she was posed a series of awkward questions.
The rapper appeared on BBC Radio 1Xtra following her exit from the ITV talent show on Sunday (27 November) night, but her management brought her chat to an abrupt end when DJ Charlie Sloth quizzed her about her authenticity.
Open Image Modal
Honey G
Neil Mockford via Getty Images
When Charlie broke away from the interview to play a song, Honey G was pulled out of the studio, leaving him to explain the situation to listeners.
“The questions needed to be asked and I tried to do it in as fair a way as I could while keeping it light-hearted and fun,” he said. “Unfortunately, the interview can’t continue, there you go.
“Her manager was like, ‘get out!’. The manager shouted at me. I don’t know why you’re shouting at me, I’m just doing my job!” he explained.
Earlier in the show, Charlie had raised listeners’ concerns about her credibility as a rapper, as well as highlighting speculation that she could be playing a character.
“I think it’s the mannerisms, going from being yourself and just a normal person to like going into character and being Honey G,” he said.
“Like the body language, some of terminology that you use. I think that people feel that you don’t use that in every day life and that’s where the conflict is. I don’t necessarily think it’s a race thing.”
Open Image Modal
BBC Radio 1 Xtra DJ Charlie Sloth
Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
The ‘North Wheezy’ rapper responded: “Okay, understandable. Obviously, I think I’ve picked up street lingo in my life as I’ve grown up on the underground music scene.
“I think I’ve picked up street lingo and it’s been part of my diction, so it’s strange for people to say, ‘Why are you acting like this or why are you speaking like this or why are you doing these mannerisms?’
“It’s something that’s been completely natural for me and that I’ve grown up with, so for someone to start an argument with me over that - it’s really strange for me and it puts me out of my comfort zone a bit.”
Prior to the interview, Honey G had shared her excitement on Twitter, posting a video of herself for fans:
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
'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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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)
Open Image Modal
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.