X Factor outcry: How Twitter reacted

The first of The X Factor live shows will be remembered for the the cruel and vicious comments made by judges Natalia Kills and her husband Willy Moon over contestant Joe Irvine and his image.

Moon compared Irvine to Norman Bates in his mother's clothes, while Kills believed Irvine was ripping off her husband's image - and she let rip. Kills by name, Kills by nature.

The Moons had already generated negative press over the weekend for an alleged foul-mouthed tirade against a woman in a Grey Lynn bakery, for which X Factor producers apologised for.

Kills was unapologetic about her tirade against Irvine, lapping up the attention on social media last night.

However, New Zealand took to Twitter to air their grievances. They felt Kills had bullied Irvine, and they were not tolerating it.

(Warning: Some of the following tweets contain explicit language)

This All Black led the mood

Those comments were inappropriate and disgraceful.. #xfactornz

— Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) March 15, 2015

Another All Black felt she was making a fuss about nothing

A Black Cap made it topical

What a terribly unlucky day for Willy Moon. Runs into one in a bakery, then is forced to sit next to one that night too!

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 15, 2015

Jesse Ryder really wasn't helping

Must be that time of the month for Natalia. #Chill

— Jesse Ryder (@DijaRyder) March 15, 2015

Hilary Barry brought some common sense

Shame on you Natalia. Shame on you. #xfactornz

— Hilary Barry (@Hilary_Barry) March 15, 2015

Former X Factor contestant Tom Batchelor (the one who hooked up with the winner) let rip with a colourful sense of national fervour

@NataliaKills is a Disgrace !! Fuck em ! Go back to America , That Ain't Kiwi @xfactornz

— Tom Batchelor Music (@TomBatchelorNZ) March 15, 2015

Another former singer, Benny Tipene, was unhappy about his association with Kills. He had played the role of guest judge at her retreat and was determined to distance himself

Oh man gutted that I went back on the show now eh. Especially with someone so heartless. Fuck that feedback. #xfacfornz

— Benny Tipene (@bennytipene) March 15, 2015

Socilaite Gilda Kirkpatrick made it plain

Hubby & wife judges on #xfactornz you both are embarr & stupid. That was disgusting behaviour. Get your toys and f..k off our screens

— 𝙂𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙖 𝙆𝙞𝙧𝙠𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠 (@Strange_G) March 15, 2015

Entrepreneur Daisy Aitken (and wife of Izzy) concurred

I liked Natalia until tonight... Pack your bags and go be a bitch back in England. Not kiwi at all #xtrafactornz

— Daisy Dagg (@aitken_daisy) March 15, 2015

Artist Ginny Blackmore has made herself available

I'm happy to take the seat. #justsaying #xfacfornz

— Ginny Blackmore (@GinnyBlackmore) March 15, 2015

Deputy principal Ronan Bass was reminded of the significant public funding that went into the show

TV3 reporter Ali Ikram made a joke, but later deleted the tweet

Fashion-plate Colin Mathura-Jeffree cut to the bone

No one owns a look Ms Kills....we are all inspired by someone...unless we are insecure & immature...#XfactorNZ #Xfactor

— ColinMathura-Jeffree (@colincitizen) March 15, 2015

Stan Walker called for calm

There is a time & place for everything. For ME it aint on tv. I am completely against bullying, but fighting fire with fire aint the way.

— Stan Walker (@1stanwalker) March 15, 2015

Simon Semper predicted another apology from the network

I hope someone at MediaWorks saved the apology template on Word #xfactornz

— Simon Says (@SimonSemper) March 15, 2015

And the man himself, Joe Irvine, took to Twitter with dignity, aplomb and good old-fashioned Kiwi humour. Hooray for Joe

I survived the Kills! #xfactornz pic.twitter.com/4wxnvjhqGw

— joe irvine (@jooe63_joe) March 15, 2015