Glasgow X Factor star signs global record deal as she returns to spotlight 8 years on

Former X Factor star Emily Middlemas whose stage name is ili.
-Credit: (Image: Instagram)


A former X Factor star from Glasgow looks unrecognisable as she signed a global publishing deal eight years after appearing on the hit ITV show.

Emily Middlemas, 25, whose stage name is ili, auditioned for Simon Cowell's popular singing-talent show in 2014 but didn't make it through to the live shows.

The determined Glaswegian returned two years later, in 2016, where she got through to the live shows before becoming the ninth contestant eliminated.

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Over the last few years, the singer has undergone a dramatic transformation and looks worlds away from her former teenage self.

She released her new single Gelato at midnight on Wednesday, September 11, and has signed a record deal in what she describes as a "huge milestone".

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, ili told fans: "I signed a global publishing deal.

"This is a huge milestone for me as a songwriter, I am completely and utterly over the moon. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me over the years as a songwriter and artist - you all know who you are!

"This sounds so cliche but this is only the beginning of my songwriting career and I am so excited to see what’s to come. A huge thank you to @peermusic and all of the team for believing in me and having me in your roster along side huge icons.

"There are hundreds of people to thank who I am incredibly grateful for. I honestly think I would be here for days going through the list. Although, my mum and dad deserve the world, I quite literally wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you both- I love you."

ili's new single Gelato is available to stream on multiple platforms including YouTube, Spotify and iTunes.

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