I’m not sure if it’s just because of the culture of music university, but I’ve always had a bit of resentment for the X-Factor. It’s a processed, unnatural and a false representation of how to make it in the music industry. It’s crafted behind the scenes and what you’re watching just isn’t real, making out that talent enters the show in a somewhat organic way, when actually it's a lot more complicated than that. That being said there has been some huge success stories from the show so let’s delve in to these a bit deeper.
One Direction
A fairly obvious one, these boys started out as solo artists before being put together as a group after the audition stages of the X-factor. Although only finishing third, the boy bands success exploded out of the show and they became one of the biggest boy bands in the world. And even after the nations heartache of the band split in 2016, the individuals went on to pursue theirs solo careers, which again was insanely successful for each of them.
Jedward
Surely everyone remembers the high intensity energy, and bouffant hair of these twins? Theirs singing was entirely average by anyones standards but no one can’t doubt them on their showmanship. And it was this energy and charisma that bagged them third place in the 2009 series and since then levered them into multiple other opportunities, including tv presenting and representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Cher Lloyd
She was first seen our screens in the 2010 series, seeming to us like a mirror image of her mentor Cheryl Cole. Again her vocal talent wasn’t anything to shout about but the way she owned the stage throughout her performance is what helped the nation love her. After coming fourth on the show she was signed by Simon Cowell’s Syco Music which she later broke from quoting she ‘couldn’t handle the level of control’. Since then she’s gone on to release music outside of this label.
Little Mix
If you haven’t heard of these girls you really have been living under a rock. One of the biggest selling girl groups of all time, who won the show in 2011, these girls absolutely made a name for themselves. Again a group starting out as soloists but being grouped together on the show, they’re now one of the most iconic and successful winners of the show.
Fleur East
Being part of the show not once but twice, some may say that Fleur was really due her breakthrough. Shown on the show as part of a group back in 2004 and then going on as a solo artist to come second on the show in 2014, Fleur really did make a name for herself. She went on to release multiple successful singles after the show, then entering the ‘I’m a Celeb’ jungle in 2018 to gain a high level of recognition. From that popularity, she climbed the ladder in the radio industry to become a presenter on Hits Radio.
Olly Murs
One of the most lovable contests of all time, Olly came second in the 2019 series. He then went on to release six very successful albums and hundreds of sold out shows. Since then he become the nations sweetheart, went on to present the X-Factor and became a judge on the ‘The Voice’.
James Arthur
Another winner who actually became a success story, James Arthur was crowned the winner of the 2012 series. After what seemed to be a rather quiet stint after his first single after the show, he can back bigger and better than ever and is still releasing chart topping singles today.
JLS
The band that made all the girls scream, and the first group to become a great success after audition as a band for the show. They finished in second place on the show in 2008 and built a loyal fan base to continuously release music and sell out tours for seven years until they split in 2015. Since then the band members continued their paths of fame to present, teach and finally to regrouping 2020 for a new tour and new release of music.
Stacey Solomon
The most loveable woman on TV in my opinion. Stacey first graced our screens in 2009 finishing 3rd place on the show. She release a few singles but it was mainly her warm and welcoming presence that catapulted her career. She went on to win ‘I’m a Celeb’ in 2010 and from that earned multiple presenting jobs. She now has her own show ‘Sort Your Life Out’, after she became an online sensation with her DIY life hacks and storage solutions, becoming the representative of tv mums and a guest panellist in Loose Women.
Ella Henderson
Finishing only 6th place in 2012, Ella has only get bigger and stronger over the years. She has released huge hits throughout the years and is still churning out popular hits today. Her debut album sold over a million copies worldwide and she has partnered up with multiple DJs to produce chart topping music.
Leona Lewis
One of the earliest winners of the show, the vocals on Leona were somewhat incompatible. Being classically trained and with a tone that rung in your ears she was always the clear winner of the show. From the show she won a £1 million recording contract and went on to release 5 further successful albums, performed in broadway and released a Xmas single.
And there you have it, the artists that rose to fame after the show, whether this was due to the show itself or the platform it gave them, they still have the X-Factor to thank for it. One piece of advice for anyone thinking about using these types of shows to showcase themselves is to ALWAYS read the small print. These sharks will want to own your entire repertoire and give nothing in return! Believe it or not, guaranteed 3rd place in the show is not enough for you to sign over every song you’ve written or ever will write in the next five years, this is basically theft! So this is a warning to tread very carefully!
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