Culture

Robbie Williams draws criticism after asking transgender X Factor contestant about their birth name

By Matt Moore

9th September 2018

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The judge asked the question following Felix Shepherd’s performance.

The X Factor hasn’t been on our screens long, but it’s already drawing some criticism after new judge Robbie Williams asked a transgender contestant about their birth name.

Felix Shepherd received a standing ovation from the audience after his rendition All I Want by Kodaline, and said that he was on the singing competition to prove that he was “more than just a transgender guy.”

Related: Nicole Scherzinger: X Factor encourages LGBT+ contestants to “celebrate themselves” on the show

However, when it came to judging, Robbie wanted to learn more about Felix. And the first question that Robbie asked him was: “So when you were born, what was your name?”

Felix responded with his birth name, before Robbie asked: “So when did you know you were Felix?”

Although fans of the show were quick to show their support for Felix, many were critical of Williams’s questions.

https://twitter.com/alex_staddon/status/1038519562638172162

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Others defended Robbie’s questions, with some pointing out that Felix was fine to answer them.

Responding to the reaction to Robbie’s question after the episode aired on television, Felix said he wasn’t “offended” by it, and thanked fans for their support.

Felix got through to the next round on The X Factor with Simon Cowell saying: “Felix, you didn’t get four yeses. You got 5,000 yeses.”