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By Liz Thomas and Andrea Magrath
Recording deal: X Factor bosses are under pressure to disqualify contestant Katie Waissel after it emerged she has recorded a jazz album in the USX Factor bosses are under pressure today to disqualify one of their successful auditionees, crowd favourite Katie Waissel.
The 24-year-old Madonna lookalike wowed the audience and won over Cheryl Cole to secure a place through to the next round during Saturday night's opening episode, which drew a record 12.6 million viewers.
But it has emerged that the hair salon receptionist, who appeared to be an amateur as she struggled with nerves and flubbed her lines on stage, actually has a record deal in the US, and starred in a hit YouTube show.
Miss Waissel stumbled over Queen’s We Are The Champions, but wowed the judges with her rendition of At Last by Etta James, securing her place in the Boot Camp stage of auditions.
When Cheryl asked her what experience she had, Katie replied: 'I sing all the time... anywhere that will have me I sing. I sing on trains with my guitar... I sing in the salon,' but failed to reveal her substantial professional experience.
The singer, from Harewood, Herts, has recorded a jazz album with US based Chamberlain Records.
Jason Silverman, who claims to be her manager, told News of the World: 'We're just about to release a record - it's brand new. She came to LA and we signed her to a two-record deal.'
No amateur: The 24-year-old appeared nervous and stumbled over Queen's We Are the Champions, but is actually an experienced performer'We just finished one and then she went back home to work over there while we get ready to release the record in the fall.'
'I've taken this competition very seriously,' Katie said before her audition. 'I've really prepared myself.' But she seemingly failed to read the rule book, or chose to ignore it completely.
The X Factor has strict rules about contestant’s previous musical work – they face disqualification if they have a music management contract
A spokesman said: ‘We are looking to the whole thing to see if a contract does exist and if there is found to be one, what the wording is.
‘An existing record or management contract could result in Katie not being able to continue, but she is a fantastic contestant, and it demonstrates her determination to succeed in the business.’
Mistaken identity? The Madonna lookalike signed a two-year deal under the name Lola Fontaine. Her album is due to be released shortlyFans of the show appear to disagree, and have taken to forums to air their anger, saying the scandal is further proof that the X Factor is no longer 'reality'.
In a chat room entitled 'Katie Waissel / Katie Vogel / Lola Fontaine - Another Setup', member Tenchgirl says, 'Nothing surprises me about x factor anymore, they might as well just go straight in the with live shows and bypass all the audition/judges houses c**p.'
Member Quizmike agrees, and complains that ' there are still people out there who think the show is 100% real and that they can still go from karaoke bar to megastar.
YouTube star: Katie also appeared in her own series, Green Eyed World, which showed her moving to New York to sing. It received 155,000 views'At least it would be fine if they were up front about it and didn't give the impression that these people wander in off the street
In addition to her recording deal, Miss Waissel also appeared in YouTube show Green Eyed World last year, as Katie Vogel.
The 14 part series followed Katie travelling to New York to pursue her dream of singing. It was produced by Sprite and received 155,000 hits. But canny viewers on YouTube were sceptical of the singer long ago, with one commenter posting 'this is just a fake show on youtube'.
source :dailymail
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