The X Factor stars: Where are they now?
Every weekend they lit up out living rooms with their powerful vocals, or inventive dancing or, in some cases, just their innovative hairdos. But what happens when the lights go out and the winner moves on to their quest for pop stardom? What about the finalist who don’t make it all the way?
We take a look at what happened next for some of the most memorable X Factor contestants, and maybe even a couple of stars you might not have remembered…
Tabby Callaghan
Irish rocker Tabby finished third in series 1, mentored by Sharon Osbourne. Tabby was the star of a fly-on-the-wall documentary the year after his appearance on the show, and released music in Ireland. He’s still performing at gigs and, according to his Twitter account, is in the middle of having his teeth straightened. We want proper makeover before and after pics, Tabby – don’t let us down.
Voices With Soul
The family trio of Hilda, Grace and Corene were huge personalities on the very first series of The X Factor before losing out to eventual runners-up G4 in week four of live shows. The band is still together and spend most of their time performing at events in their hometown of Luton. One of the members recently posted that she’d be appearing in Mary J Blige’s new video and the group are set to represent the UK at the Official World Championship of Performing Arts in LA next year. If you need a regular Voices With Soul fix before then, Grace and Corene are to star in the new series of Channel 4 reality show Coach Tripin November!
The Conway Sisters
Laura, Marie, Sharon and Sinead Conway caused one of the big upsets of the second series of The X Factor in 2005 when judge Louis Walsh saved them from elimination in bottom two over fan favourite Maria Lawson. They appeared in the bottom two for the following two weeks before losing out to Chico, when Simon Cowell voted them off – even though he was their mentor. Harsh.
Despite the fact they were sisters, the band broke up soon after – that must make things awkward at Christmas – to pursue solo interests. Laura Conway is still making music and posts songs to her YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/Lauraconway
Ray Quinn
Former soapstar Ray found himself in the unenviable position of playing competitor to Leona Lewis in the 2006 final of The X Factor. He may not have won the show, but he’s done pretty well since, scoring a Number 1 album of swing-type tunes with Doing It My Way in 2007 (do you see what he did there?) and landing roles in stage shows of Grease, Dirty Dancing and Legally Blonde. Not only that, but he won ITV ice skating contest Dancing On Ice twice, in 2009 and 2014. The boy can move! Even in really tight spandex!
Leon Jackson
Winning the fourth series in 2007, Leon managed a couple of Top 10 hits and performed with Michael Bublé. He’s still performing and recording, doing shows across the UK. He doesn’t tweet much, but when he does, it’s usually a nice picture of him looking all handsome so we suppose you could do worse than give him a follow.
Rhydian Roberts
Runner-up to Leon in 2007, Rhydian has scored four Top 40 albums. Currently touring latest release One Day Like This, which spent ten consecutive weeks atop the Official Classical Albums Chart earlier this year. He’s also appeared in Grease, The Rocky Horror Show and We Will Rock You. And, yes, he’s still got that platinum blond barnet!
Eoghan Quigg
Babyfaced Eoghan, who finished third behind Alexandra Burke and JLS in 2008, released a self-titled album in 2009, which reached Number 14. Eoghan did some growing up pretty quickly and in 2012 revealed a new buff bod and an armful of tattoos. In 2014, Eoghan entered the race to represent Ireland in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest with The Movie Song, but finished second in the selection process. Always the bridesmaid, our Eoghan.
Ruth Lorenzo
The Spanish powerhouse may have finished fifth in the 2008 series that saw Alexandra Burke romp to victory, but it didn’t put her off entering further contests! La Lorenzo represented her native Spain at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, coming in tenth place, which is considerably higher than the UK managed! Her performance of Purple Rain is one of the highlights of the series.
Laura White
Laura’s shock early exit in week five of the 2008 series caused a media storm, with even guest artist Mariah Carey saying she thought it was a mistake and Laura’s MP Andy Burnham bringing it up in Parliament. Laura still performs and last year released an EP called What My Mother Taught Me. She’s also modelling and writing for other artists, so she’s keeping plenty busy.
Katie Waissel
Controversial Katie survived four final showdowns before being automatically voted off in week eight of the live shows in a double elimination. Famous for losing her nerve during the judges’ houses round and actually giving up during a sing-off and plonking herself on the floor, Katie was a regular in the tabloids thanks to her weekly antics on the show. When it was all over, Katie picked herself up from the X Factor rejection – and, indeed, the floor – to release an album of previously recorded material and has since formed a band Red Velvet, and is currently recording with them. She pops up on Instagram quite often revealing her latest news.
Rachel Adedeji
Coming to the nation's attention in the 2009 series thanks to falling over with excitement when Dannii Minogue revealed herself to be her mentor, Rachel has since recorded a few dance singles and appeared in the Michael Jackson musical Thriller Live. She made the news again earlier this year when her boyfriend disturbed a burglar in their home. Luckily, nobody was hurt and the intruder was arrested. Here’s Rachel’s single Club Lights from 2012. Great song, but we’re not sure that umbrella’s going to be much use in the rain, Rach.
Aiden Grimshaw
Following his exit from the 2010 live shows, the Blackpool lad scored a Top 20 album and a Top 40 single and last year released a free EP.
Kitty Brucknell
The former Britney and Lady Gaga tribute act was the talk of the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011, thanks to her kooky personality, huge ambition and unwavering message of self-belief. She sang for her survival twice and succeeded, but it was third time unlucky on the sixth live show when she lost out to Misha B. Lady Gaga, that week’s musical guest, rushed on stage to comfort her.
Once the show was over, Kitty toured for a while, before releasing a few tracks including Chains and 2014 single Glitter In The Sky. Eurovision is certainly a popular choice for X Factor alumni – Kitty is aiming to represent Switzerland in the 2015 contest, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, following Conchita Wurst’s victory in May 2014. You get douze points from us, Kitty!
Frankie Cocozza
Feisty rebel Frankie Cocozza left the 2011 series of The X Factor in a blaze of controversy, following media reports he was partying just a little too hard. After finishing second on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, funtime Frankie returned to music, first solo and now as lead singer of The Telescreen. Their debut self-titled album is out now. He does seem to have calmed down a bit, but his hair certainly hasn’t!
2 Shoes
Despite being eliminated by mentor Tulisa in the first live shows, the Essex duo didn’t let it get them down. The chirpy twosome – who got their name from the nickname they call each other – released a cover of Kathy Brown’s club classic Turn Me On (Turn Me Out) in 2012, and are still performing at private events and are set to tour in the run-up to Christmas. The girls can be found occasionally presenting on This Morning’s Hub and have also turned up on Celebrity Juice, Xtra Factor and Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.
Chris Maloney
Chris ruffled quite a few feathers when he made it to the final three in 2012. The self-confessed guilty pleasure released an album which failed to chart, and has since moved on to running an acting school in his hometown of Liverpool. Christopher has said he plans to get married next year, but he’s got a season in panto to get through first!
Which other X Factor contestants do you remember – fondly or not? Got some updated info on what your fave former X Factor star is up to? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.
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