Adele has more integrity than soulless 'X Factor', says Jo Whiley

Jo Whiley has said that Adele has more integrity than artists who have come from The X Factor

The BBC Radio 2 DJ told Stylist that despite being influenced by the "cynical" marketing of Girl Power as a 9-year-old, Adele has instead created a brand of "women's strength".

After praising strong females in pop, including Lady GaGa and Beyoncé, Whiley said: "We've also been exposed to the cynical inner workings of the music industry thanks to shows like The X Factor, the birthplace of Leona Lewis.

"There's something soulless about this and I think that's why people are embracing music with true integrity now.

"We know when something's been created like a musical Frankenstein's monster and equally we know there's real, raw talent coming through."

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl agreed last week that Adele's success was because of her "beautiful voice", adding: "People are shocked when they hear actual talent."

Adele and Lewis both attended the famous Brit School in Croydon before launching their respective pop careers. Both singers last week celebrated the 20th anniversary of the institution.



Whiley said of Adele's success: "She's done it entirely on her own terms. She hasn't given into the usual music industry pressure to writhe around on stage in skimpy clothes.

"She's not a package, she has no agenda other than music and that's why people love her - she's a normal girl not styled to within an inch of her life. She's not compromising."

The DJ added: "I have no doubt she will have a great legacy long after she's gone. She is in the same class as a legend like Ella Fitzgerald."

Earlier this month, Adele became the most-played artist in the world on streaming music service Last.fm, beating The Beatles into second place.

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Watch Adele perform 'Someone Like You' live in her home below: