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Singer Rebecca Ferguson tells of music industry abuse in MPs’ report

DJ Annie Mac also provides evidence to report that says racism and misogyny is ‘endemic’ in the sector

The singer-songwriter Rebecca Ferguson has spoken about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her former management company as part of a new parliamentary report, which has called racism and misogyny across the industry “endemic”. Ferguson, who rose to prominence on the ITV talent show The X Factor, said that when she attempted to split from her management team, staff “were instructed to ruin my personal relationships … ignore calls from my children”, while she was told: “‘When you earn as much money as you do, you do as we fucking say’; ‘She’s good, isn’t she, we just need to break her spirit’; ‘He only wants you to perform because you’re black’.” Macmanus told the committee about a female photographer who was repeatedly humiliated on tour by a male musician after he found out she did not find him attractive.

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