Rebecca Ferguson has praised a new sexual harassment and bullying watchdog after campaigning for change in the music industry.
The X Factor star, 37, who has just become an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to the music industry, claims she was "mentally manipulated, bullied and abused" after the ITV talent show by two "high-powered figures". Last year, the mum-of-four called for more safeguarding for people on reality TV and in the music industry after speaking out about the toxic side of show business.
On Saturday, Rebecca called her MBE a “lovely surprise”, thanking the King and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and saying she was “very grateful and honoured to be recognised with this most prestigious award”.
X Factor star, Rebecca Ferguson, has thanked a new watchdog, which will monitor sexual harassment and bullying in the entertainment industry (PA)
The Scouse singer shot to fame on the X Factor in 2010 (Ken McKay/Rex Features)Speaking about the CIISA (Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority watchdog, she said: “I would like to thank CIISA (Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority) and every person who has made it happen – we are only starting out, long may this be a new reality for the industry.”
CIISA hopes to “uphold and improve standards of behaviour” in the world of entertainment and broadcasting and has been supported by actresses including Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley.
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Rebecca, who beat One Direction to second place on The X Factor in 2010, also paid tribute to her grandmother, Mavis Jameson, who “taught me my history, which empowered me to be able to speak truth to power”, along with her mother and late grandmother Caroline Ferguson.
The singer campaigned for the introduction of the new regulatory body, which would work to ensure artist welfare. Rebecca had a meeting, which she described at the time as “very productive”, with the then culture secretary Oliver Dowden in 2021, to discuss discrimination in the music industry.
In June 2023, she called on media watchdog Ofcom to conduct an investigation into reality TV shows to “ensure the future safety of contestants”.
On X, formerly Twitter, the Run Free star posted a screenshot of an email, which she said she sent to ITV and Ofcom in 2021 making a “formal complaint” in relation to the treatment of contestants on reality shows, but said “my concerns appeared to be fobbed off”.
At the time, a spokesman for Ofcom said they “listened carefully to the extent of her concerns about the treatment of contestants during her time on The X Factor in 2010”. Meanwhile, ITV said it was “committed to having in place suitable processes to protect the mental health and welfare of programme participants”.
Rebecca also gave evidence last year in September to MPs on the Women And Equalities Committee, as part of a 2023-2024 report into misogyny and discrimination in the UK music industry. During the inquiry, which examined misogynistic attitudes in the industry and what steps could be taken to improve attitudes to and treatment of women, she criticised music managers and agents, whom she claimed manipulate artists.
In December, Rebecca revealed to the Mirror that Simon Cowell personally apologised for not stepping in while she was bullied after the X Factor. The Heaven singer revealed: "I did have an apology from Simon. He invited me to his home in Holland Park and said he was sorry for the way I had been treated, and he wished he had stepped in sooner to ensure I was looked after."
Rebecca recalled: "He said, 'I can tell this is distressing you. These people have been bad to me, too, and I'm sorry I allowed it to happen and sorry I didn't step in'. For a moment, I accepted his apology. He shook my hand and said, 'We will sort it out'. I think it was his way of trying to calm the storm. But no one apologised to me publicly."
The singer added: "I don't want to be completely negative. I don't hate Simon. I don't hate the people who have mistreated me in the industry, maybe they just don't know better. But I think it is always important to call out bullying and injustice."
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