News

X Factor star set to name and shame “powerful” sex offender in tell-all book

The past will come back to haunt some

Former star of The X Factor Sinitta will reveal the names of big wigs who she claims have sexually assaulted her.

The pop star pal of Simon Cowell has decided to speak out now, in a warts and all autobiography, after witnessing the Me Too campaign which has seen many Hollywood actresses speak out about their own alleged abuse.

“It’s not about revenge. I was assaulted by a very ­powerful person. It is scary because you think of the repercussions,” she told The Mirror.

“I’m a single mum and a single woman, literally – it does feel very scary.

“But after all these years of putting a smile on my face, to think these things haven’t ­affected me – I thought that was bravery.”

The 54-year-old, who alleges there were other incidents with more men, now feels she must speak out for other women.

“I thought strength was staying quiet. But I actually think that kind of strength is ­interpreted as weakness, and I think we are doing each other a disservice by not speaking.

“It is to say, ‘It probably looked like you got away with that – but you haven’t’.

“I think it’s going to be empowering in the end but you’ve got to do it scared.”

Sinitta originally revealed news of her upcoming – and forthcoming – book on Friday.

“I have an album coming in the new year, really exciting –  and a book! So look out for that. It’s an autobiography,” she told The Sun as she attended Nativity The Musical last night wearing a skirt made out of Christmas tree baubles.

She teased: “It’s really juicy and a long time coming, but it’s coming!”

Let’s hope she’ll allow Simon to proofread it first as she’s known him for more than 30 years so certainly knows a lot of his secrets.

Read more: Line-up for the Strictly 2018 tour revealed

The pair met when Sinitta, 54, first found fame in the Eighties as a popstar and Simon was working in the music industry.

She was much more famous than him at the time after having hits with songs including So Macho.

They dated for a time and Sinitta even once revealed that she fell pregnant with his baby but decided to have an abortion.

After their relationship didn’t work out romantically, the pair remained the best of friends.

They holiday together every year and Sinitta is Simon’s closest confidant.

He’s also given her numerous on and offscreen roles on The X Factor over the years and she can often be seen sitting behind him in the audience.

In the early days, she was his partner to help pick his acts at judges’ houses.

The 80s hit maker ensured her 2009 appearance was memorable as she wore nothing but palm leaves to help him choose the over 25s, including Olly Murs.

However, she was unhappy when Simon replaced her with more famous names in recent years in a bid to boost the ratings, this year welcoming back Cheryl.

Sinitta admitted this decision did cause her to stop speaking to Simon for a time as she said he’d promised her a “job for life” on the show.

It means she’s now happy to spill the beans on everything she’s seen behind the scenes as she has nothing to lose.

The X Factor isn’t the only show Sinitta has inside information on.

She’s also appeared on I’m A Celebrity, The Jump and been a presenter on Loose Women.

Read more: Strictly star admits “breaking down” ahead of the final

More recently, she’s appeared on Celebrity First Dates in search of a new love after her marriage ended in 2010.

Sinitta, who has also adopted two children, certainly hasn’t had a quiet life and has met many celebs along the way.

Let’s hope they were nice to her or they might not like what they read next year!


Kaggie Hyland
Editor-in-Chief

Related Topics