Last year's X Factor: Looking back

Where are they now? - Girls04 Aug 09

Alexandra Burke

What a difference a year makes. Roll the clock back 12 months and Alexandra Burke was an aspiring young singer struggling to get a break in the fiercely competitive music business. Fast forward to the present day and The X Factor’s current reigning champion looks set to become a global superstar, having recently signed a five album US record deal with American label Epic Records.

She made history when she became the first British female solo artist to sell over a million records in the UK, with her BRIT nominated debut single, Hallelujah. The whirlwind year for this London lady has seen her perform alongside Elton John at the O2 Arena, sign a contract to become a face for Dolce & Gabbana’s younger clothes collection, as well as work with some of the biggest names in the industry on her highly anticipated debut album, due out later this year – go girl!

Diana Vickers

As soon as Diana glided into the audition room to perform Damien Rice’s, The Blower’s Daughter, it was obvious she had the pedigree to make it all the way.

Her unique singing style made her an instant hit with the viewers and her popularity online has continued to grow with her Facebook group currently attracting over a quarter of a million fans!

Signed to record label RCA, Diana’s debut album is due out early next year and she is also set to star in the title role in the West End production The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Laura White

When Laura was voted off the show in week five few could have predicted the public backlash that would follow her departure.

Convinced that she was wrongly ejected, fans of Laura set about campaigning for her reinstatement, she even got a mention in the Houses of Parliament! Since her infamous exit Laura has been busy working on a new album, attending glamorous events such as the BRIT Awards launch party, and performing at a host of public functions including the Miss England Contest 2009!

Fame and fortune or back to the day job? Discover what happened to some more of your favourite acts from each series:

Best of previous series

Series 5 - Boys

Series 5 - Groups

Series 5 - Overs

The winners

 

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livewirer 23/11/2009 13:26:57

The second week of Laura Whites new single it dropped from #32 to #89. Where are are the so called 100,000 fans who signed her petition in Nov 2008? Without major LABEL clout (MONEY) an Inde artist cannot "easily" get themselves playlisted on BBC & commercial Radio or run TV adverts but rely on fan loyalty which seems in short supply these days. I hope someone signs Laura and her debut album in 2010 will get the proper promotion she deserves. Cheryl Cole didn't mention her once on this series.

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livewirer 23/11/2009 13:20:27

This thread is and last years contestants are beginning to get forgotten about. If your not in the Final 2 of X Factor the realty is its very hard to make a success after its ended. Yes Laura White had a 100,000 petition after 8 weeks on our TV screens from auditions to her exit. One year on after recent TV appearances on BBC Breakfast,GMTV, Loose Women, Alan Titchmarsh and Channel 5 in the first week of her New single 'You Should Have known' she sold 9449 copies with a New Entry at #32.

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juiceylucyxxx 11/11/2009 19:47:42

i would buy laura whites cd she brilliant x

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xcarly_ 19/10/2009 18:36:27

diana vickers was absolutly amazine (::)

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rob a 17/10/2009 23:03:17

I'd buy Laura's and Diana's albums in a heart beat which is more than I can say for some previous winners but what about Ruth?

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mistyblueeyes 13/10/2009 19:37:21

I always thought Hannah would get through to live shows she realy had a voice ... alex was my fav out of the girls

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erin campbell 11/10/2009 21:52:55

nice bunch of girls though, JLS, Alex Burke, Diana Vickers, Ruth Lorenzo and Eoghann Quigg were definetly the entertainers in the house!

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erin campbell 11/10/2009 21:51:19

yes, Laura was good and us Britain's showed we are supportive and prepared to fight, but whilst this was all going on didnt anybody think about poor Ruth Lorenzo? She for one didnt deserve to be in the bottom two neither, what with Rachel and Daniel straight through...it was a fix-Ruth, Laura and Alexandra were the strongest vocalists in the competition. Ruth Lorenzo should of won by far, i still love alex though! lol TEAM LORENZO FOREVER!!!!!!!!

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jen_1107 28/09/2009 13:46:13

laura was my fave contestant last yr, she recently sang in a local pub in my area, waited til about 12.30 to come on stage and sang 5 songs... we all bought tickets!! was really disappointed but still love her lol. would def buy her album if she brought one out!!!

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livewirer 28/09/2009 12:19:52

Laura White will sell records. Hope she will be invited back to sing on nthe show. Not enough people voted for her last year with something like 7.3% when she went out. Judges then let her down looking after their own acts. Diana Vickers might be fine for Little Voice but after that? Alexandra as good as the songs being pitched to her?

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