X Factor mentor Nicole Scherzinger has defended finalist Hannah Barrett over her apparently uncontrollable weeping on the show.
The 17-year-old Greggs worker was seen sobbing her way through the audition process and admitted she 'cried buckets' after learning she had made it through to the finals.
However Nicole said that her constant crying was in fact part of her charm.
"She's grown up and she's strong but isn't that why we love her all the more?" the singer said. "That she doesn't hold back and that it means that much to her and that her passion goes that deep?"
Nicole added: "What's wrong with crying? I'm a cry baby too! I'm letting it out, I'm keeping it real, OK?"
Hannah, meanwhile, said that parts of the show had left her "emotionally drained".
"It's so hard and we want it that bad you're obviously going to cry. I'm not going to promise I'm not going to cry, because I cry anyway, I'm so sensitive, but I'll try and suck it up," she explained.
Hannah will take to the stage along with the other 11 X Factor finalists when the live shows get underway on Saturday night at 8pm.
Meanwhile The Sun is reporting that the teenage singer has raised concerns among producers after being put on voice rest for the second time this series.
Hannah was reportedly ordered not to speak before auditioning for Nicole and Mary J Blige at the judges' houses - and has been told to stay quiet again ahead of Saturday's show.
"In the past we've had contestants needing voice rest, but usually in the later stages of the contest," a source told the paper.
"It is worrying that Hannah is having these problems so early on."
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