Willy Moon and Natalia Kills walk between terminals at Los Angeles Airport. Photo/Getty
Willy Moon and Natalia Kills walk between terminals at Los Angeles Airport. Photo/Getty
Disgraced New Zealand X Factor judges Willy Moon and Natalia Kills have fled the country after they were sacked from the show for cruelly bullying a contestant on stage.
The married couple's escape to Los Angeles comes as it's revealed Kills lost her record contract before the current run of the reality series even began on 18 February 2015.
A representative for Cherrytree Records in America told Daily Mail Australia: "Natalia and Cherrytree parted ways months ago."
Willy Moon and Natalia Kills seen at LAX. Photo/Getty
Kills has two albums to her name, and several moderately successful singles. She has also written songs for other stars, including Madonna.
The duo were photographed at Auckland International Airport on Tuesday night, both dressed in all black and wearing sunglasses as they boarded a flight bound for Los Angeles.
In LA, Kills told MTV: "I feel like everyone needs to put the idea of it being a manufactured conspiracy theory behind them, there's really nothing to it.
"I love my husband with all of my heart, we'll stick together no matter what. There are many sides to this story and I am not about to get an entire industry in trouble that has been going on for years and years entertaining the masses, so thank you absolutely everyone for your support, thank you to all of my fans, thank you to my husband," she said.
British singer Kills unleashed a hateful and humiliating tirade at a contestant on Sunday which has shocked and appalled people all over the globe, resulting in a massive public backlash.
However, she and her husband both refused to speak at the airport, with Kills clutching her husband's arm as they were escorted onto their late night plane via a "premium check-in".
Kills had a hint of a smile on her face as she faced the media scrum, with a big floppy hat and a teddy bear attached to her handbag.
An announcement on replacement judges is expected today - a hasty turnaround after the controversial couple were unexpectedly fired.
X Factor backlash - Natalia Kills v Joe Irvine
X Factor NZ judge Natalia Kills is facing an online backlash after she delivered a brutal critique of contestant Joe Irvine, with some accusing the judge of bullying. Video / MediaWorks ...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
1x
Chapters
descriptions off, selected
captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
NOW PLAYING • X Factor backlash - Natalia Kills v Joe Irvine
X Factor NZ judge Natalia Kills is facing an online backlash after she delivered a brutal critique of contestant Joe Irvine, with some accusing the judge of bullying. Video / MediaWorks ...
The hateful spiel caused a social media storm, with thousands of people lending their support for the contestant who was victimised, Joe Irvine, and condemning the actions of the judges responsible.
Chart-topping singer Lorde has thrown her support behind her fellow countryman, Joe Irvine, who is at the centre of The X Factor controversy.
The 18-year-old songstress sent Irvine cupcakes and a touching note after he was roasted by British singers Natalia Kills and Willy Moon following his rendition of Justin Timberlake's Cry Me A River on the show on Sunday.
When giving her feedback to The X Factor contestant, Kills accused Irvine of copying husband Moon's style.
X Factor
...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
1x
Chapters
descriptions off, selected
captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
captions off, selected
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
NOW PLAYING • X Factor
...
The network which airs the show, TV3, bowed to pressure and immediately fired the husband-and-wife duo.
Support for Irvine came from all over the world, including British singer Ed Sheeran, as people took to the internet, accusing Kills of copying the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga and Willy Wonka.
