Winning Isn’t Everything – X Factor Is Back!

Ella Henderson is back on the music scene after her shock exit from the X Factor in 2012. Despite finishing in sixth place Ella is making waves in the

…UK charts with her debut single “Ghost” going straight to number one and holding onto a stop in the Top 5 for eight weeks. Ella is not the only X Factor loser who turned out to be the real winner however.

Cher Lloyd

When you mention Cher Lloyd you instantly think of that first audition, then her rendition of “Stay” then “Swagger Jagger” *shudder. Despite finishing in fourth place in 2010, the year Matt Cardle won, Cher Lloyd has done what even Cheryl Cole – sorry Fernandez-Versini – couldn’t, break America!

After joining forces with music god, L.A. Reid, Cher’s second album “Sticks and Stones” broke into the Top 10 in the US Charts. She’s gone for a more stripped back look, ditched that annoying squeaky voice, thankfully and we don’t quite want to punch her in the face as much.

JLS

JLS looked to be the first band to win the X Factor but were piped at the post by Alexandra Burke in 2008. That didn’t stop Marvin, Oritse, Aston and JB though. Nooooo, the lads went on to win Best British Breakthrough and Best British single in 2010 and a total of five MOBO awards.

As Alexandra Burke joined Steve Brookstein, Leon Jackson, Joe McElderry and Matt Cardle in the land of washed up X Factor winners JLS basked in their legions of screaming fans.

It all got too much for the lads when they announced that they would split after their fifth album and a farewell arena tour this year. Hearts broke around the globe but they will always make us go “Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh”.

The video for their latest single “Billion Lights” reminisces on their journey from X Factor to Boyband royalty.

Olly Murs

Ah Olly! Where do we start with Olly?

Undoubtedly one of the most charismatic and endearing singers to grace the X Factor stage. He was robbed, absolutely robbed, in 2009 by Joe McElderry, who I might add never once busted a move or made anyone swoon.

But three albums, and one No.2 hit that went double platinum should have eased his pain of losing. Olly went back to the X Factor two years later as a presenter on the Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack.

Their bond on the show had everyone transfixed and wishing for a romance but alas it never happened and Olly left the show in 2013. They have been trying to replace him ever since.

Finally Olly achieved ultimate stardom when he appeared on the Late Late Toy Show. Take that Joe McElderry.

Rylan Clark

Success in the charts is not the only way to stick it to the X Factor, just ask Rylan Clark.

Rylan first came into our lives in a flash of peroxide extensions and fake tan. We can all agree Rylan hasn’t a note in his head but his over the top performances and love/hate relationship with Gary won us over.

After some new hair (and teeth) Rylan became the hottest television personality around getting nabbed by Celebrity Juice, Family Fortunes, This Morning, Daybreak, the list goes on. He went on to win Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 and is now the main presenter on the spin off show, Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.

Rylan may have finished in fifth place and will never have a career in music but he is not going anywhere anytime soon. We do love you Rylan but it is hilarious to watch you cry.

Ray Quinn

Ray said in his X Factor audition that once he got that break there would be no stopping him and he wasn’t kidding around.

He had short lived success in the charts with a No.1 platinum album just after his stint on the X Factor. However Ray turned his hand to theatre and shone through. He took over the West End starring in Aladdin, Grease, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dirty Dancing, Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty. Not only can the cheeky scouser sing he can dance too, and on ice.

Starring in the fourth series of Dancing On Ice Ray showed off his skills on the ice and went on to win won, he then came back five years later and did it all again in the All Star series.

So there you have it, winning isn’t everything, in fact in the X Factor it means damn all.

Am I forgetting anyone?… oh yeah 😉

Need I say more?