Dannii admits making 'X Factor' hopeful cry

Dannii Minogue has confirmed that she has a reputation for straight-talking on the set of The X Factor.

The Australian singer joined the show's judging panel after being recruited by Simon Cowell earlier this year, and there were soon reports that she had shocked hopefuls with her cutting comments. There have also been rumours that she does not get along with co-stars Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.

"I'm very Australian. Australians are very honest and very direct. Especially the women," Dannii told the Mail On Sunday. "Apparently, I have made someone cry already - and that was just week one."

Minogue revealed that the most heartbreaking moment so far came when a Muslim girl auditioned - and spoke of her fears that her family would disown her for doing so.

"She was really shaking," Dannii explained. "So we said, 'What's wrong? Something's going on here?' And she said, 'My parents don't know I'm here. I'm 16 and if they find out they will throw me out and never speak to me again.'

"And we said, 'Well, is that what you want?' And she said, 'It's my dream to be a singer. I've got to do it even though it means I'll never speak to my parents again.' So we said, 'OK, let's go ahead with the audition'."