“The X Factor Australia” is a den of paranoia and jealousy, confirmed contestant Dean Ray. The 22-year-old rocker and axed contestant Jason Heerah have some things to say about the show, and not all of them are nice.

Dean, who is currently in the Top 5, confirmed eliminated contestant Rochelle Pitt’s claims that the contestants are jealous with one another.

In a past interview with Confidential, the 41-year-old mother revealed that the show wasn’t entirely harbouring a positive environment.

“I can’t say it was a negative experience. But you can get caught up with everyone … bitching about this, that and the other,” she said. “They’re getting jealous of this one, or that one, and there is competition definitely happening.”

Dean backed Rochelle’s words during a recent interview with Confidential. When asked if the behind-the-scenes paranoia, jealousy and fighting were true, the crooner smiled and replied, “Of course!”

He explained, “It’s a competition. We’re all living on top of each other, cooped up together.

“Put any two people together, cooped up, with no freedom and working their a---- off, there’s gonna be trouble. You need your space, you need your freedom.”

Read: Axed ‘The X Factor Australia’ Contestant Rochelle Pitt Says Mentor Redfoo Was Just ‘OK’ and Has Another Favourite

Jason, who unfortunately didn’t survive the bottom 2 showdown with Reigan Derry on Monday, also has an explanation as to why there’s tension among the contestants.

“It’s like Big Brother, people are in your personal space all the time,” he said. “I’m very used to that anyway, but it takes the toll on the best of people sometimes as well.”

The 31-year-old drummer went on, “Definitely having three teenagers in Brothers 3, who are really loud and in your face all the time, is one thing, it’s also about just adapting and knowing when to walk away from situations if you have to.

“I know Reigan comes from another head space, she likes quiet time. She would have quiet days when she wouldn’t talk. You would have people firing questions at her normally and she would respond with nothing and sign language and people still don’t get it.”

Dean is now the favourite to win after Jason’s exit and Reigan’s narrow escape on Monday. The betting books say that Dean’s popularity rose when Reigan, who was a hot favourite, was revealed to be in the bottom two.

According to SportsBet, he is now the $2.20 favourite to win the singing competition show, while the sibling act Brothers 3 have jumped from $6 to $3.50.

“The X Factor Australia” is now down to five acts. Dean, Brothers 3, Reigan, Marlisa Punzalan and Caitlyn Shadbolt will be performing two shows each on Sunday’s live show.

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