Misha B is a superstar!

OBV's Director Simon Woolley argues that the X Factor is a racial barometer for equality in the UK.

I’m so pleased I was out of the country and missed Misha B being voted off the X Factor, which incidentally, I won’t be watching anytime soon.

The sad part about the X Factor is that it is supposed to be a family show, a singing contest. Yes, we get to know a little bit about the contestant’s background and their journey as to how they arrived at this point. But that is only one TV spin, shot to make them more likeable. The contest is about singing ability.

But watching the last few weeks with my family, it became obvious that this was no longer a family entertainment competition where at least the best singer has a real chance of wining.

Given that she is so obviously talented, I took some of the media onslaught against this young woman, along with the deluge of online hatred towards her personally. I know, I know, some of you think I’ve got a chip shop on my shoulder, but watching her week after week being told "she’s the best", hearing her talent for myself, and then watching her receive the least amount of votes every almost every week was difficult to understand.

I’m sure there are a number of factors why Misha B was unpopular with the X Factor voters, not least the false claims about bullying, but I cannot help believe that Misha B’s blackness didn’t play a role. For me, this view is consolidated by the amount of race/hate comments I have received since writing about Misha B.

But here’s the good news. Away from the X Factor baggage, Misha B will light up the music scene and I predict will be one of the biggest stars ever to come out of the X Factor. The show at least gave her a platform. Her audience now will be young –Black and White-and they will buy her music based on her brilliance . And yes, I’ll put my money where my mouth is and if I can, I'll bet £50 that Misha B has a number one hit next year.

Oh, and as for Black people going on talent or reality TV shows, remember what your mother said… ‘You’ve got to be better than the rest’, and even then there is no guarantee.

Simon Woolley