Former X Factor Contestant Reveals What Really Happens At Judges’ Houses

Former X Factor Contestant Reveals What Really Happens At Judges’ Houses

A Former X Factor contestant has lifted the lid about what REALLY happens at the judges’ houses on the popular ITV talent show.

From banning contact with the outside world, to tension among contestants, the process can be a gruelling one.

Kayleigh Marie Morgan was just 19-years-old when she made it through to the competitive round in 2016.

The Welsh singer pulled off a stunning performance of Jessie J’s Who You Are, reducing guest judge Mel B to tears.

In spite of her obvious talent, Kayleigh was sent home by Simon before the live shows.

As this year’s X Factor stars gear up to battle through judges’ houses this Saturday, the former contestant speaks exclusively to The Sun Online about what they have in store

While it may seem like a whirlwind leap from six chair challenge to the next round, the singing hopefuls do actually get some time to prepare.

They have a few weeks to come up with a plan of action before jetting off to the mystery location.

Kayleigh said: “We had some guidance and vocal coaching before we went. It was very rehearsed and we were very prepared”.

But at this stage of the competition, contestants are completely on their own when it comes to the styling.

Not only do they have no idea where they’re travelling, they also have to put together their outfits for the show.

Kayleigh confessed: “It was a huge surprise, you didn’t know what to pack! We just brought our own stuff and styled ourselves.”

Each singer comes to the judge’s ‘house’, which for Simon’s category was in Malibu, with a list of song options they’ve picked themselves.

Show producers and coaches then advise them on which one to choose.

Kayleigh said: “You give all your choices in, five different ones, and then pick out of them.

“They then guide you about which one would be best suited for your voice.”

Many viewers are unaware that each singer performs TWO songs.

Only one of these is aired on telly, so the girls had no idea how they would come across to the public.

Kayleigh revealed: “I had an instinct – the one they showed on TV was the one I wanted them to show on TV.

“They’d go with whatever what fit their production I suppose.”

Each contestant is put through a gruelling process which lasts for around seven days.

Kayleigh remembered: “We were there for about a week and the whole time you’re really nervous.

“You don’t actually sing for the judges until the third day, so you carry it for you the whole time.

“Mentally it’s really hard. It feels like a year.”

If travelling abroad without your loved ones isn’t a tough enough challenge, phones are apparently banned from the moment the contestants start singing.

Kayleigh claims: “For about three days we didn’t have our phones until we landed at the other side.

“On the day that we were performing, up until we arrived home we didn’t have them.

“Because it’s confidential, if one of us posted something it would give away where we were. It does have to be very confidential.

“It was very hard.”

Getting sleep is also difficult for the hopefuls, who stay in shared rooms for two.

Kayleigh, who shared a spot with finalist Emily Middlemas, said she had “hardly any” kip while on the trip, despite the fact that they had some free time when the cameras stopped rolling.

She said: “The competition was constantly in the back of your mind so you couldn’t really relax.”

But the most agonising part of judges’ houses for Kayleigh was waiting to know the results as each singer had to wait 24 hours to know their fate.

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