'I had a nation hate me on X Factor, now nothing has been done after Liam Payne's death'
Katie Waissel says that 'nothing has been done' to protect artists in the entertainment industry - and is calling for more care and support for artists after the passing of Liam Payne
Former X Factor sensation Katie Waissel is taking a bold stand to enhance safety in the entertainment sector, lamenting that "nothing has been done" following the death of Liam Payne.
Battling trolls and death threats during her stint on the show alongside One Direction, 38-year-old Katie speaks candidly about her hardships within the music realm. Determined to make a difference, she's equipped herself legally to fight for change. Post the recent loss of her friend, Liam Payne, Katie is more driven than ever to create a safer environment for creative talents.
She is calling for improved care and support mechanisms within the industry to shield young artists from exploitation and abuse. Undertaking a mission to build the Overseeing the Welfare, Human Rights, and Liberty (O. W. H. L), an exclusive membership network championing creatives, Katie aims to gather £2k for crucial verification technology, ensuring the platform remains a sanctuary for artists.
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The Watford-based mum-of-one reflected on her experiences: "I once had an entire nation hate me for no reason." Mournfully, she added: "The very tragic situation of losing Liam Payne - I'm heartbroken for his family." She continued to emphasize the industry's inertia with poignant words: "We lost Caroline Flack tragically. Still nothing was done."
And, marking a call to action after losing Liam again highlights the lack of response: "We've been calling out the industry after losing Liam. Still nothing is done." Katie, who became famous after her stint on an ITV show at just 24 in 2010, was harshly criticised in the press and branded a "drama queen."
She opened up about the aftermath, revealing: "I had death threats. I had acid attack threats. I couldn't understand why this was all happening." After facing tough times in the music industry, which she described as "male-dominated" Katie felt often powerless in situations where she expected support. Her challenging journey inspired her to study law during the pandemic, leading to establishing O. W. H. L in June 2023.
This new venture includes a rigorous verification process and offers creatives a unique QR code for "check-ins" at work locations, enhancing safety with a panic button feature to alert emergency contacts if necessary. Katie expressed the platform's aim is to serve as "gatekeepers" to empower creatives, saying: "I built it and designed it on what I wished I had."
"You never know who you are walking into a room with." With an urgent need to raise funds for technology integration before launching, Katie remains driven by change, especially as a single mum to her six year old son who has a love for music: "He loves music. I think I want him to have that magical feeling I once had in music that got stripped away. It was like Ursula in the Little Mermaid."
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