Alabama Shakes were asked to enter X Factor USA, according to lead singer Brittany Howard. The band were approached by a researcher to appear on the US version of the popular television talent contest before they got signed to Rough Trade Records. When asked what her opinion was on TV talent shows...
Alabama Shakes were asked to enter X Factor USA, according to lead singer Brittany Howard.
The band were approached by a researcher to appear on the US version of the popular television talent contest before they got signed to Rough Trade Records.
When asked what her opinion was on TV talent shows, Brittany Howard said they are “kind of fucked up” before revealing that the band were asked to appear on Simon Cowell’s programme.
She told the Independent: “They heard of us through the internet and started sending me emails which kept going into my spam folder. One day she called me to ask and I told her, ‘No, I’m not going to do that.’ She was like, ‘Are you sure about that?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m sure. I have something going on now that I believe in and want to stick to.’ She was shocked.”
The singer went on to vent her anger towards the show, saying it’s “not fair” as contestants “go out there, people gawk at you, they love you or hate you and it doesn’t mean anything to them but it means the world to you.”