Some former contestants of The X Factor have had quite the transformation over the years, including Cher Lloyd, Diana Vickers and James Arthur
One of the best parts of The X Factor isn’t the incredible (and sometimes also questionable) vocals, the fashion-off over whose dress you like more, or even the one-liner comments that the judges dish out. No, it’s the makeovers the contestants get when they get through to the live shows! Cue wind-machines and smouldering down the lens of the camera as Peter Dickson says your name.
But the transformations continue long after the show is over, and some are more severe and unexpected than others. Don’t believe us? Take a look…
George Shelley appeared on the X Factor in 2012.
He first auditioned as a solo act with the song Toxic by Britney Spears, and the X Factor producers wanted George to join MK1 originally, however he chose to join Triple J. George Shelley is the youngest member of the band, which changed their name to Union J.
But these days George Shelley is a million miles away from the curly-haired kid who appeared on the show – JUST LOOK AT HIM!
The 22-year-old Union J star first started showing off his new look earlier this year and he just keeps getting better!
Leon Jackson won the competition back in 2007, under the wings of then-judge Dannii Minogue, and even performed a duet with her bootyliscious sister, Kylie Minogue in a rendition of Better the Devil You Know. The scottish singer went on to release his debut album Right Now the following year, and has since been pretty quiet on the music scene, with just a few festival appearances here and there.
Cher Lloyd surprised everyone when her petite frame burst out into R’n’B song Turn My Swag On and rapped her way through the lyrics of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida –yes really – back in 2010. But long gone are the days of her mega ripped jeans and major gold bling. These days, after Cher had a rather successful time over the pond in America, she sports a much more sleek and sophisticated look. Fancy!
Jahméne Douglas was one of the sweetest contestants in X Factor history. The whole nation fell in love with the gospel singer when he appeared on our screens in 2012 and ab-so-lute-ly killed Etta James’ At Last. With a clean shaven head and a clean-cut image of smart suits, he was a parents favourite. But look at him now! Luscious curls and brows completely on point. We’re going to guess the new album he’s working on is going to be going in a different direction?
But before both Cher and Jahméne, in the vintage X Factor days of 2008, Diana Vickers was our favourite barefoot boho babe who filled our Saturday nights with her whimsical vocals. But now she’s swapped floaty dresses for leather shorts, and switched her backcombed barnet for a smooth blonde locks. Our Vickers looks like quite the model nowadays don’t ya think?
Eoghan Quinn melted our hearts with his Irish charm and schoolboy innocence. He was only 15-years-old at when he auditioned in 2008 and loved a spiked up ‘do and to sport a waistcoat a la borrowed off an older sibling for prom. But lil’ Eoghan isn’t quite so little anymore as he’s quite the sportsman these days. And has the muscles to prove it!
Remember when Leona Lewis won The X Factor and we never thought we’d find anyone else with to match her sch-mazing vocals? That was until Alexandra Burke came along in 2008, after having got to the judge’s house in 2005, got us all feeling a bit emotional with her rendition of the Whitney Houston classic Saving All My Love. Even Cheryl was in tears! And Alexandra hasn’t just got a superstar voice, but now also looks every part the superstar with bodycon dresses, matching co-ords and hair so shiny that even Ariel would be jealous of.
James Arthur’s post-X Factor career has been a bit of a roller-coaster. After impressing Simon Cowell and co. with an acoustic version of then-judge Tulisa’s song, Young – the charmer eh? – and ultimately going on to win the show in 2012, James got himself into a spot of bother when he used homophobic lyrics. Not cool Jamie. After a stint of Twitter arguments, his management took over his account. But seems he learnt to think before he speaks and is now tweeting for himself like a big boy, and has grown out of those skinny scarves he was fond of, and grown out his hair too.
Sam Bailey’s X Factor story was legit like a Cinderella story. She went from being a prison officer to being an supporting act for Beyoncé and getting a Christmas number one – the first one that an X-Factor contestant had had in 3 years as well! But since her X Factor days in 2013, Sam now looks every part a popstar with tousled waves and Jen-An worthy highlights.
We’re going to apply for this year’s X Factor now so we can meet new guy Nick Grimshaw and got our very own makeover worthy of a popster! If only we had the voice of one too…
WOAH! The X Factor juging panel has changed so much over the years!
Amy Lo
The post You HAVE to see these X Factor contestants look like now! appeared first on Now magazine.