X Factor girl group 4th Power hit back at claims they were invited to audition for the show as they reveal hopes for UK success
X Factor viewers were left questioning the legitimacy of Filipina pop quartet 4th Power on Sunday, after it emerged that they had achieved success in their native Manila.
But the girl group hit back at claims on Tuesday, when sisters Almira, Celena, Mylene and Irene told This Morning hosts Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that they're simply 'chasing their dream'.
Admitting to entering talent competitions under pseudonyms, the four-piece said they had come to England to discover true success - starting with impressing Simon Cowell.
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Setting the record straight: Fourth Power sisters Almira, Celena, Mylene and Irene appeared on This Morning on Tuesday to slam reports they were invited to audition on the X Factor
'We're chasing our dreams wherever it's possible,' they explained. 'We want to reach our dreams of having that prize and helping our family to have our own house and not be transferring about in different parts of Manila.'
Under the name M.I.C.A., the group last year reached the semi-finals of South Korea's X Factor equivalent, Superstar K6.
4th Power - who have records available to buy on Amazon and as many as 5 million views on their YouTube channel - have also appeared on TV shows in the Philippines, including Pinoy Idol and Showtime.
Dream come true: It was revealed on Sunday - the day after the audition - that the girls had previously auditioned for other talent competitions and done very well
Impressing the judges: The girls certainly impressed when they shook off their shy demeanours and gave an explosive performance
Nevertheless, the girls - who talked of their humble upbringings - said they were hoping to help their family by performing well on the show.
And they certainly took panellists Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw by surprise on Saturday night when they shook off their shy personas and delivered a bold and confident performance of Jessie J's Bang, Bang.
Speaking of the judges' reaction, the girls said: 'It was crazy, it was insane. It was like a dream come true. We were like really, literally floating in the air.'
Speaking out: They had the opportunity to address the criticism with Rylan Clarke
There was one man in particular that the girlband had hoped to impress nonetheless.
'We got a standing ovation from all of the judges and Simon Cowell, for us he was the famous judge in the Philippines.
'He is straightforward in his critique and we thought he was going to be rude to us, but then we saw the standing ovation we were crying and breaking down on stage.'
The one to impress: Simon Cowell was the man that the girls were hoping to impress
Cha ching! Simon was seeing pound signs when he heard the Filipina girls perform
An X Factor spokesperson confirmed after Saturday's show in a statement that the group's audition came about of their 'own accord' in the summer, adding that the band were 'not approached' beforehand.
'Their interview in the programme clearly said that they had been performing together since 2001 and had competed in various places.
'There are no rules preventing anyone who has appeared on other shows from applying for The X Factor.'
TV show stars: X Factor spokespeople were quick to set the record straight on the four piece
No invitation: They explained that the girls had flown over to audition of their own accord
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3218452/X-Factor-girl-group-4th-Power-hit-claims-invited-audition-reveal-hopes-UK-success.html#ixzz3kVZWjUFS
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