Aussie 'X Factor' Contestants Allege Brutal Working Conditions On Set

A number of former contestants and industry workers have claimed they endured brutal conditions while working on Aussie singing competition, The X Factor, including allegations that they were forced to film without any breaks.

As Fairfax reports, many of those who have spoken out have asked to remain anonymous due to non-disclosure agreements with the Seven Network and FremantleMedia, however Johanna and Bianca Vitalone, who reached the top 12 last year, have openly slammed the show.

"I think the reason they put a lot of stress on young people and don't give them water or breaks is for ratings," Vitalone said.  

"It makes people break down more when they're run down."

Vitalone also alleged that a younger contestant fainted during filming.

"I think he was around 14," she claimed.

"We were filming from really early in the morning and nobody had any water."

The mother-daughter duo claim that the songs performed by the contestants on The X Factor are never chosen by the contestant.

"They don't let you choose songs, but then the judges will say, 'Why did you choose that song?'.

"My daughter said to me, 'Why did they say that when they make you sing what you don't want to sing?'"

Melbourne producer Lee Bradshaw, who has worked with a number of The X Factor contestants, as well as renowned artist Christine Anu, supported the Vitalones' claims.

"I know people who have been kept waiting 10 to 12 hours to audition," Bradshaw said.

"They don't know what's happening. They don't get fed. I know people who have completely just given up performing because they have a bad experience."

2010 The X Factor champion Altiyan Childs career has been plagued with controversy since he appeared on the reality show.

The singer was accused of having a meltdown during the second season after he disappeared from rehearsals and could not be contacted.

Childs later explained that in a need to "reconnect with part of my sadness", he went into a cave at Sydney’s northern beaches and fell asleep, where his phone died.

In January 2012, Childs was found guilty of having methamphetamine and marijuana after being pulled over by police. He parted ways with Sony Music in the same month.

It has been heavily speculated that The X Factor will not return in 2017 due to poor ratings and the fact that the program has failed to provide lasting careers for its winners.

Excluding 2013 champion Dami Im, who this year represented Australia at Eurovision, many of The X Factor winners have not carried on with their success, including Childs, season one winners and R&B group, Random, Marlisa Punzalan and Cyrus Villanueva.

There have also been allegations that Sydney auditions this year were incredibly rough, with contestants and families being left in Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre with no food or water.

One artist has also alleged that contestants were not allowed to leave the stage for up to six hours during filming.

Seven have denied all allegations against the show in a statement to Fairfax.

"The welfare of contestants at every stage of the competition is an absolute priority for the production," a Seven spokeswoman said.

"Every effort is made to ensure they are safe, cared for and their needs are being met. There are well-established procedures in place to ensure the safety and welfare of contestants is of the highest industry standards at all times."