Lee Ryan: ‘X Factor winners’ success is because of the show,

Lee Ryan of hit boyband Blue thinks talent shows like X
Factor and Pop Idol are a great way into the music industry but thinks
it is the show that sells the millions of records as opposed to the
artist.
Speaking to Metro about entering the fame game he said: ‘It’s about your profile and getting yourself out there.’
‘I don’t think people from X Factor and these shows have to do that,
they come from such a big audience with such a big following on these
massive shows.’
‘That’s why when they come out and sell a million copies, it’s the
shows that sell a million copies, not so much the artist straight away.’
The former Blue member said the industry is ‘tough’ and if an act
wants to succeed they ‘have to earn their stripes’ as there is ‘always
going to be someone else that can fill your shoes.’
However, he didn’t dismiss the benefits of the talent search shows either.
‘If they want a way in, X Factor and Pop Idol and these sorts of shows really give an opportunity to people who have no clue.’
Blue broke into the UK charts in 2001 before splitting four years later.
Hear’Say, who were the first ‘reality pop group’, formed in 2001
also meaning Blue were one of the last bands to make it on their own
before TV cult shows began.
The straight-talking singer-turned-actor showed his support for the
shows furthermore by saying the talent is getting ‘better and better’.
‘There have been some really s**t artists, crap artists, over the time.’
‘Out of all those bad ones, you do get a couple of gems come
through. Leona Lewis, Lemar…most of our pop industry has come from
these TV programmes.’
[Source: Metro]