Yahoo News 9 huge X Factor stars who completely disappeared
The X Factor has created countless stars over the years, but not all of them have managed to stick around for long.
The show builds them up and then throws them out into the real world where it's up to them to keep the public interested. It's a game of luck, and many of them haven't had the careers they were hoping for despite their best efforts.
Here, we take a look back at the X Factor stars we thought were going to be huge, but instead vanished before our very eyes. Seriously, where the heck did they go?
1. Cher Lloyd
Cher hit the big time with her debut single 'Swagger Jagger'. She polarised audiences, but the song shot straight to the top spot in the charts. She followed it up with two more hits from her album, including the global smash 'Want U Back'.
But then things went quiet. Three years later she came back with new single 'Oath', but it failed to make a dent on either side of the Atlantic. The following album performed similarly, and Cher was quietly dropped from her label.
Her 2016 comeback single 'Activated' didn't manage to chart either, but in May of 2017 she revealed that she'd been signed to a new label with the promise of music to come in 2018. So stay tuned.
2. Leona Lewis
At the time she was the biggest star to emerge from X Factor ever. Leona was set to be the next global superstar, and she was... for one album. After that, her subsequent releases saw diminishing returns and she was eventually dropped by Simon Cowell. She signed to a new label and released a comeback album in 2015, but it didn't set the charts alight.
The should-have-been megastar left the label in 2016 because "something didn't click," but has yet to reveal if she's found a new home. She went on to feature in Cats on Broadway, but only for four months.
We've heard nothing from her at all recently, other than her admirable activism against animal cruelty on social media.
3. Steve Brookstein
His debut album Heart and Soul went in at number one in the official charts, but that was his last major taste of success.
Steve was dropped by Sony BMG just eight months into his contract, and he went on to become locked in a bitter feud with Simon Cowell over The X Factor.
In 2014, despite being free from the show for almost a decade, Steve decided to release a tell-all book about his time with Simon. Seriously Steve, move on.
It became a hit, but he failed to capitalise on its success with new music. Now all the former popstar appears to do is troll celebrities on Twitter and share his political opinions.
4. Leon Jackson
His win was described as one of the biggest ever upsets in reality TV history, so it's no surprise that just a year later Leon ended up being dumped by Simon Cowell.
While he never signed to a new label, Leon has continued to write songs and perform acoustic sets live over the past few years following a move to the US. He's also transformed himself since the show, and has now become a total hottie.
If you don't believe us, just take a look at his Instagram – you won't be disappointed.
5. Ben Haenow
Considering his first single was with none other than Kelly Clarkson, big things were expected of Ben. However, the success failed to materialise, and Simon appeared to put all his focus on Fleur East instead.
Ben was quietly dropped from his record label, and he's been focusing on his personal life ever since. The star married his partner Jessica Jones in 2015, and remained out of the spotlight will a slew of singles in 2017 and a new album, announced to come out on May 25, 2018.
6. Misha B
Misha was one of the most talked-about finalists while she was on the show, and hit the headlines over claims she was a "bully". But a few short months later, she returned to the spotlight with her smash hit 'Home Run', and looked set for superstardom after performing at the MOBO Awards.
It was an absolute banger, and follow-up single 'Do You Think of Me?' charted even higher. Two years later, in 2014, she set up her own record label and toured several Pride events around the UK with a new single. But despite her efforts to make a comeback, she's not been heard from since.
7. Diana Vickers
Though she was one of the most marmite X Factor finalists ever, we were thoroughly #TeamDiana, so we couldn't have been happier when she scored a #1 album and single after exiting the show.
Sadly, it didn't last long, and it took three years and a new record label to get another album out in 2013. Since then, Diana's focused on her acting with a few bit parts in some BBC sitcoms. She was last seen in an episode of Josh that aired in 2017, but there doesn't appear to be any music on the horizon.
8. Rhydian Roberts
Rhydian won over viewers with his operatic style and ended up making it all the way to the final two. His debut album went on to sell a massive 800,000 copies, but not long after that he seemed to fade out of the spotlight.
So it was a shock even to us when we discovered Rhydian's actually released FIVE albums. But not only that, he went on a tour back in 2015 in support of his most recent record. So perhaps he shouldn't be in this feature after all.
In between records, Rhydian's been keeping busy in musicals, most recently starring as The Dentist in The Little Shop of Horrors.
9. Same Difference
Brother and sister duo Sarah and Sean Smith entertained viewers with their adorable double act all the way back in 2007. However, it was all over by 2009 when they got dropped by Simon.
Things went quiet for a while, until the duo emerged again in 2011 in a bid to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest. No, seriously.
It didn't go to plan, and they announced their split in 2014. Sean has since hit the gym and attempted a solo career away from his sister, but he failed to bother the charts.
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