The X Factor finalist has defended the controversial rapper against online criticism, saying she's completely genuine...
X Factor finalist Freddy Parker has jumped to the defence of fellow contestant Honey G, who’s come under fire from fans of the show.
Many have accused the controversial rapper – real name Anna Georgette Gilford – of not being 'real' with some even suggesting she's a prank set up by producers.
Furious viewers on Twitter threatened to boycott The X Factor when Over 25s mentor Sharon Osbourne put Honey G through to the live shows, starting this Saturday.
But Freddy, one of judge Nicole Scherzinger's final three boys, had nothing but kind words for his singing rival, telling What’s on TV: "We love her. Living with her in the house is actually really nice – she’s really friendly and interacts with all of us.
"She is really genuine; how she is on TV, that’s exactly the artist she is, she’s not fake at all. I just think she’s a really lovely person and I really hope the public fall in love with her as much as we have.”
The 18-year-old student from Ashford believed Honey G deserved her place in the competition as much as anyone.
"This show is not called The Voice; it's not based on just vocals or just musicality, it's based on the x factor, which is almost indefinable. I do think, in their own way, every single one of the final 12 acts does have the x factor."
Freddy’s feeling particularly nervous about performing live for the first time this Saturday following a last-minute change of song for this week's theme 'express yourself'.
"I changed my song on Thursday night," Freddy revealed. "Me and Nicole discussed things and we decided together to change it. We just felt the song I was doing didn't really express me as the artist I am at the moment and it's nothing like I'd been doing up to this point.
"It's actually a song I do know already and that I love to pieces, so I am really happy about that, but it is stressful because I have a day to practice it!"
Freddy also admitted he's anxious about how his voice will hold up on the night. “Literally, on day one I was put on voice rest,” he said. “My vocal stamina is so poor at the moment, it's something I've really got to work on. I'm really stressed because of how my vocals are now – but it's something we've all got to deal with."
Watch Freddy's first audition singing Amy Winehouse's Love is a Losing Game:
https://youtu.be/autEgMbk2EE
Freddy did say, however, that he wasn't phased by The X Factor's new twist, which sees the song themes for the series determined by an onstage, mechanical jukebox.
Each Sunday, after the sing-off, host Dermot O’Leary will be joined by a special guest who will spin the jukebox wheel to reveal to the remaining contestants and the viewers at home the following week's theme.
Themes include Oscars, Boy Band vs Girl Band, Disco, Motown, 80’s, Divas and Louis Loves.
"I'm ready to deal with whatever they throw at me to be honest," said Freddy. "Even if it's something I'm not comfortable with and I don't know the genre too well, I'm just excited to try new things really."
The X Factor live shows kick off on Saturday October 8 at 8pm, with the results show on Sunday at 8pm on ITV.
