Rita Ora has revealed that it was Simon Cowell’s vision and planned changes for this season of X-Factor that made her decide to leave The Voice after just one season.
The songstress joins Cheryl, Simon and Nick Grimshaw for this year’s judges panel, and has defended her right to judge the music competition.
In a front cover feature with Glamour magazine, the 24-year old revealed that she was convinced to switch over from the BBC reality music show after her chats with music mogul Simon:
“Simon and I planned to meet and just chat. There wasn’t any pressure. We could only meet around midnight ’cause we were so busy. So we met at his place in west London.
“We spoke about the changes in the show, about his goals and aims, and I started to agree with the changes that were gonna happen…. We had a two-hour conversation and I really liked his vision.”
The 24-year old added that she plans to use her own experience to help her contestant win this year’s X-Factor.
Silencing critics who have questioned her ability to judge other performers, Rita added:
“It’s not about thinking, “Oh my God, I want to be on TV every Saturday night!” I’m a musician, I’ve built this bond with my team, with the music industry.
“I’ve worked hard to be involved with everything you see my name associated with. It doesn’t happen overnight, and I feel I have as much right to be on that panel as everyone does.”
The new series of the X-Factor is set to kick off next month, with rumours rife that tensions are frosty between Cheryl and head judge Simon Cowell.
