Popstar reject says show will help her career

The latest reject from ITV’s Popstars talent show today rebutted claims by one former contestant that the show asked young hopefuls to “sign their lives away”.

Lynsey Brown, 19, who was voted off the programme last night said: “We knew what was going on from the beginning.”

In fact, she said, the publicity from the competition would be a massive boost to her continuing dream of making it in the music business.

The student, from Manchester, added: “I don’t feel exploited in any sense. People in a band don’t get so much exposure.”

She was disagreeing with claims by 19-year-old Nicola Ward, who stormed off the programme last week saying contract demands by producers were “outrageous”.

Lynsey added: “I feel great. I am feeling very positive. I have had a fantastic experience. Obviously I am going to keep trying.

“Obviously I was disappointed but I didn’t think I would get as far as this. I was just happy to meet all the people that I met.”

Louis Walsh, one of the show’s judges, said he was sure she would go on to be successful.

He said: “I’m disappointed we lost Lynsey. I didn’t think we were going to. She reminds me of Dani Behr.

“She is great. We think she has got what it takes. She would be amazing in a group like the Spice Girls. I think she will be in a successful band.”

Lynsey last night became the first girl to be knocked out of Popstars: The Rivals, winning the least phone votes after singing live with other contestants.

She now loses her chance of joining the girls’ band which will compete with the boys for a Christmas number one.

In last night’s show, presented by Davina McCall, Lynsey sang Lisa Stansfield’s Been Around the World. She said later: “I think I could have done better.”

Both the boys and girls face being eliminated one by one until just five of each remain to form the final two bands.

They live in two luxury mansions under the watchful eye of TV cameras.

After each solo performance, the judges, Louis Walsh, Pete Waterman and Geri Halliwell, gave their own verdicts on how well the contestants had done – then the public decided.

The boys will sing live next week.