Katie Waissel claims 'was sexually assaulted by one of X Factor team'

‘I was a victim’: Katie Waissel claims she ‘was sexually assaulted by one of the X Factor team at a luxury hotel years after appearing on the show’

• The singer, 35, alleged that the incident happened at a hotel in the US years after she appeared on the X Factor in 2010
• Katie said: ‘I’ve never spoken before as I thought I’d be blacklisted’
• Syco Entertainment said they were made aware of Katie’s claims in 2017 and immediately started an investigation

Katie Waissel has claimed that she was sexually assaulted by somebody on the X Factor team, years after appearing on the show.

The singer, 35, who entered the talent contest in 2010, alleged that the incident happened in the US when she met the person to talk about recording work.  

Speaking with The Sun, Katie said: ‘I can still smell him. I was paralysed with shock. All I could think was, “How am I going to leave this room?”

 ‘I was a victim’: Katie Waissel has claimed that she was sexually assaulted by somebody on the X Factor team, years after appearing on the show

‘I was a victim but I wouldn’t allow myself to recognise just how terrible it had been.’

The publication also claimed that the alleged assault happened at a luxury hotel and Katie detailed why she’s not talked about it before.

She said: ‘I’ve never spoken before as I thought I’d be blacklisted and never work again.’ 

Katie added that she decided not to make a formal complaint at the time as she was pregnant, but that she feels being ‘focussed on success’ after the X Factor made her ‘vulnerable’. 

Claims: The singer, 35, who entered the talent contest in 2010, alleged that the incident happened in the US when she met the person to talk about recording work (pictured in 2010)

The singer said if she could change the past, she would never have appeared on the singing contest in 2010.  

A spokesperson for Syco Entertainment said: ‘We were made aware via the media of Katie’s claims in Autumn 2017 and we immediately contacted her and began an investigation. 

‘We were naturally shocked at the allegations and wanted to do anything we could to help – so we asked her to lodge a complaint with us and detail the allegations for that purpose. In the interim we suspended the accused. 

‘Despite a number of requests to Katie asking her to detail the claims to us, she chose not to make a complaint over his behaviour. As a result, and without other evidence to the contrary, we were obliged to accept his denial of the claims. 

Speaking out: Katie added that she decided not to make a formal complaint at the time, but that she feels being ‘focussed on success’ after the X Factor made her ‘vulnerable’

‘We, of course, remain ready and keen to investigate her claims if she so chooses to detail them to us and even though the alleged perpetrator no longer works for either Syco or Sony Music.’ 

Katie has spoken candidly in recent months about her time on the X Factor and recently told how appearing on the show left her feeling suicidal and she is still receiving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] therapy.

The singer has joined a host of former competitors who have spoken about the ‘abuse’ they suffered while on the show.

Katie insisted she ‘can’t stay silent’ on the matter because people’s careers have been shattered and she claims many are still having counselling.

Speaking to Closer magazine, she said: ‘We all had to go through media training – almost a type of brainwash – ensuring we never said a bad word about the show or those that worked on or alongside it.

‘But how can we stay silent when future careers were shattered, and past contestants, myself included, are still undertaking therapy for PTSD caused by this show?

‘I had experienced such a low point when I was trying to rebuild my life, that I had frighteningly found myself contemplating suicide.’ 

Katie previously moved to the US after being shaken by death threats and cruel messages from vile online trolls. 

Now back in the UK, she has opened up on her time on the show and the way she found it behind the scenes.

An X Factor spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Duty of care to our contestants is of the utmost importance to us. We take welfare very seriously and have measures in place to ensure that they are supported.’

Candid: Katie recently told how appearing on the X Factor left her feeling suicidal and she is still receiving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] therapy 

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