The announcement yesterday by Little Mix of their intention to separate, 10 years after they became famous on The X Factor caused shockwaves in the music industry.
Jesy, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards, all aged between 18 and 20, auditioned to the show. After being placed into a group, they released six studio albums. Five of these were No. They have racked up more than 12 billion streaming streams on all platforms and earned over 1 million No.1s.
What happened to the X Factor hopefuls of 2011? Although none of the eight series contestants has achieved near their fame, others have made a name for themselves as singers at weddings or cruise ships. Ashley Baptiste is now a BBC presenter and journalist who used to be part of boy band The Risk.
Kitty Brucknell, who tried unsuccessfully for Eurovision as a representative of Moldova and Switzerland but was denied entry, is one example. In Los Angeles, she is enjoying the highlife.
Frankie Cocozza was a notorious X Factor snitch who had the names of girls tattooed on to his bum. He now lives in Sydney as a happy family man with his wife, and their son.
FEMAIL reveals Little Mix’s X Factor contemporaries.
Marcus Collins
Runner-up was Marcus Collins from Liverpool. He was only 23 when he won over X Factor viewers under the guidance of Gary Barlow. Although he lost to Little Mix in the final, Collins was able to find enough success to make a name for himself in the entertainment business. Collins (left), on the X Factor stage (right), and in a recent Instagram picture (right).
Famous friends: Marcus and Jade Thirwall are friends from Little Mix. They were pictured holidaying together
The versatile Collins is pictured here on a Dubai work trip and at a Halloween party in drag. He has been performing on the stage for the past decade after the X Factor. Collins recently shared that he had battled anxiety and depression prior to being diagnosed with ADHD.
Marcus Collins was only 23 when he won the hearts of X Factor viewers under Gary Barlow’s mentorship. While he lost the final to Little Mix, Collins was successful enough to start a career as an entertainer.
After finishing his show, Collins released the self-titled album. It reached the top 10 on the UK Albums charts. The single Mercy was also a top 10. Collins split with RCA Records, and there was no plan for a sequel album.
Talented on stage, Seaweed Stubbs was the star of the UK Tour of Hairspray 2013. He later got a West End role as Kinky Boots.
Collins is still friends with Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and performs at events as a drag queen.
After Covid-19 caused havoc and ended live performance, he started a undergraduate degree in counselling and psychology at the Open University.
His course required him to read reviews of ADHD sufferers. This led him to be diagnosed. In October, he spoke to Liverpool Echo about his struggle with depression and anxiety, as well as suicidal thoughts.
“If I felt down, it was because I was depressed. When I felt great, it felt like I had won the lottery. He said that there was no middle ground.
“My reds burn fiery red but when I’m blue it’s deepest, darkest blue that you could ever imagine,” I was quoted saying. This is how I felt all my life. As if each side of the scale were always 100%.
Amelia Lily
Pink! Amelia Lily (age 17) was multitalented on the X Factor and is still looking fresh at 27.
Stage star: In 2015, Amelia Lily joined the case of Green Day musical American Idiot, in the lead role of Whatsername. She also appeared in the 2017–2018 UK tour of Shrek the Musical in the role of Princess Fiona, pictured
Reality TV star: Like many other former X Factor stars, Amelia Lily has also had stints in reality TV. 2017 saw her finish as the runner up on Celebrity Big Brother 20th series, behind Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding
Pucker up! Amelia Lily shared a kiss with James Tindale on Geordie Shore – but the fling ended when he kissed someone else
Teen singer Amelia Lily, from Nunthorpe, North Yorkshire, was one of the breakout stars of the season, landing a £500,000 record deal with Sony once filming wrapped.
Amelia took advantage of her popularity and released three singles quickly. All were in the UK Top 40. She also supported her ITV Talent Show alumni Girls Aloud & Olly Murs at gigs throughout the UK.
Amelia Lily moved into musicals after her solo career failed.
Amelia Lily was the leading role in Whatsername, the Green Day musical American Idiot. She also appeared in the 2017–2018 UK tour of Shrek the Musical in the role of Princess Fiona.
Amelia Lily, like many former X Factor contestants has had stints on reality television. She finished second on Celebrity Big Brother’s 20th season in 2017, behind Sarah Harding from Girls Aloud.
She was named as the new Geordie Shore cast member by MTV in 2020.
Amelia Lily is a performer and makeup artist. She now provides event and bridal makeup at a Middlesbrough-based salon.
Misha B
Clouded by unfair bullying claims: Misha was just 19 when she appeared on the singing competition and was a favourite to win under the guidance of judge Kelly Rowland. Tulisa Contostavlos, Louis Walsh, and Misha were accused of bullying her during their third live broadcast. She revealed that this made her feel suicidal last year. Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis apologized later and didn’t comment when they were contacted last year. Misha, on the show (left) & in an Instagram snapshot (right).
Social media star Misha is a social media superstar. She boasts 73,000 Instagram followers and is believed be involved in the National Diversity Awards.
Misha, who was only 19 at the time of the competition’s singing contest, was one of the favourites to win the title under Kelly Rowland.
Tulisa and Louis Walsh also accused Misha of bullying them during their third live broadcast. Misha revealed this last year, and it left her feeling depressed. Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis apologized later and didn’t comment when they were contacted last year.
Gary Barlow, X Factor judge, opened up in A Better Me about the incident a few decades later. He claimed that the bosses of the show instructed the judges to employ the bullying line.
Misha signed a record contract and released Home Run (2012), which reached number 11 on the UK charts. After touring with Nicki Minaj, Misha released additional singles and EPs. In 2014 she left her record label to start her own label called Emboom.
In the years since, Misha has established herself as an Instagram star, boasting 73,000 followers, and is believed to be involved with the National Diversity Awards, an annual event which recognises positive role models and organisations who are connected to diversity.
She released Rosa Parks Flowers in 2018, followed by Letter To My SiStars next year. She continues performing and was recently the headliner at Manchester United’s Old Trafford gig.
Speaking on the ‘bullying’ incident last year, an X Factor spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We are very concerned to hear Misha’s comments regarding her experience on The X Factor in 2011.
“We are looking into the matter at present and will be reaching out Misha in order to resolve any important points she raises. Our priority is the welfare and equal rights of all contestants.
Janet Devlin
Behind-the-scenes struggle: Northern Irish singer Janet Devlin, then 17, was a shining star on the X Factor, left, finishing in fifth place, but behind the scenes was battling with her mental health. Janet today promoting her music
Song bird: Despite her private struggles, Devlin found success in the music industry and released her debut album in October 2021. Confessional was her second studio album. It was released June 2020. Photo taken on December 18, 2018.
Devlin opened up last year, revealing that she also suffered from alcoholism but has been sober since age 20
Janet Devlin was a Northern Irish singer at the age of 17. She finished fifth on the X Factor. But, she struggled with her mental well-being.
She spoke out about feeling in dark places while on the show. In her memoir, My Confessional, she stated that the “dark clouds” returned to full strength during her time on the show. If I wasn’t rehearsing a performance or surrounded by other contestants at the X Factor house, I would be contemplating suicide, though I could never bring myself to think that word.’
She was taken to London’s Harley Street for an assessment. Janet revealed that Janet had suffered from mental illness. Janet said: “On a scale 1-10, 100 is the worst. I got 93. It was bad news. This was a good example of the danger I was of suicide.
MailOnline reached out at that point to X Factor in order for a comment.
Devlin stated last year she struggled with alcohol, however had been sober for 20 years.
Devlin, despite her personal struggles, found success in music and her debut album was released in October 2021. Confessional was her second studio album and it was released June 2020.
This singer worked alongside Newton Faulkner as a singer/songwriter and was featured in the 2018 short film Songbird. She also composed two songs for it.
She released last month a cover of Elton John’s Your Song. Janet has also made TikTok videos on her mental health. She has over 135,000 Instagram followers.
Craig Colton
Transformation: Craig Colton is pictured at the left and right today on the show. He said that he had lost 4st during the five-year period after X Factor.
Powerful voice: Colton has also made headlines for his weight loss, telling Loose Women he had shed 4st since the show but was less confident in himself. Colton is seen on The X Factor.
Loved up: The former reality TV star also credits his long-term boyfriend Shane Cooper, with having a positive impact on his life. Shane works as a cosmetics and skincare specialist at a London spa, where stars like Vicky McClure, Maya Jama, and Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor frequent him.
Craig Colton is still a worker at Biscuit Factory. However, there’s no information about his professional life over the past ten years.
A 2016 interview with him revealed that he wanted to move into songwriting. He also mentioned having sent Robbie Williams a song. However, it isn’t clear whether the song ever was made.
Colton also has been in the news for his weight loss. He told Loose Women that he lost 4st and felt less confident about himself since then.
He stated that “my insecurities started to increase.” People who lose weight can feel more confident.
Former reality TV star Shane Cooper is also credited with making a positive difference in his life.
Shane, a specialist in skincare and cosmetics procedures with a London salon that is frequented often by celebrities like Vicky McClure and Maya Jama.
Craig also performs under the pseudonym Colton. In July, he posted a picture of two guitars and suggested he might be getting back in the music business.
Kitty Brucknell
Living in La La land. Kitty Brucknell’s journey to La La land has seen her experience highs and lows in the 10 years that have passed since The X Factor. Kitty Brucknell is now an LA girl, after two unsuccessful attempts at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Kitty is a girl in town and frequents the best restaurants. She also gets invited to club openings and film premieres. Kitty has an entire Instagram account dedicated solely to ice skating.
Kitty Brucknell’s journey since The X Factor has seen many highs and lows.
Kitty competed under 25 and launched her own tour in January 2013, garnering critical praises for original music. Queen’s Brian May also praised a track.
However, her second attempt at the Eurovision Song Contest was unsuccessful. The first time she tried to enter the Eurovision Song Contest, her original song Yearning was rejected by Switzerland. She did not make it through to the final round. She was shortlisted for Moldova with the same song, but she did not make it to the final rounds.
One stage was open to the idea of recording Broadway-covers music, but it has yet to be released.
Kitty is originally from Cheltenham and now lives in Los Angeles. She lives an extravagant lifestyle there, earning money modeling.
Kitty is a girl in town and frequents the coolest restaurants. She’s also invited to premieres of films and club openings.
Her passion for ice skating has led her to create an entire Instagram account dedicated solely to it.
Frankie Cocozza
X Factor Bad Boy: Frankie Cocozza, then 17, garnered headlines almost immediately on the show when he famously announced he had the names of six girls tattooed on his bum. After an episode that was later attributed to him ‘boasting’ about his cocaine-fueled sex sessions, he was expelled from The X Factor. Frankie now has a son-in-law in Sydney.
Highs and lows: In January 2012, the musician made a reported £30,000 for his appearance on Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother. He was second behind Denise Welch. But in 2017 revealed he was earning just £7.50 an hour working on a building site
Frankie and Bianca were married in May 2018.
Familie man: This couple lives in Sydney with their son. He was born in May 2019, and they now share their home in Australia.
Frankie Cocozza was 17 years old when he announced that he has six names tattooed on him bum.
The aspiring star, after showing his back to the judges won over the judges to make it to the live show.
Frankie was then removed from The X Factor, following an incident later attributed on to Frankie’s boasting about coca-fuelled sexsessions’.
Although the performer was only 18 years old at the time, he issued an apology statement admitting that his life was ‘out of control’ after it became clear that his exit was due to drug use.
In January 2012, the musician made a reported £30,000 for his appearance on Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother. Denise Welch was second.
But in later years Frankie turned his back on fame, and in 2017 revealed he was earning just £7.50 an hour working on a building site.
He signed up for reality television show Celebs go Dating that same year. He snubbed the women with whom he had been set up, and instead chose to date Ex On The Beach star Charlotte Dawson (daughter of comedian Les Dawson).
He was then engaged to Bianca Murphy, his wife of just three months. In a small ceremony held in Brighton in May 2018, the couple married and gave birth to a son the same year.
Frankie, Bianca and their son live in Sydney with Frankie. Frankie performs with a band. He also offers up videos on Cameo for £34.
Johnny Robinson
Ageless: The oldest finalist, Johnny Robinson, from Harrow, was 46 years old when he wowed judges with his rendition of the Etta James classic At Last. Right Johnny in an image shared recently on Facebook. It isn’t known when this photo was taken.
Alter-ego. In 2016, he was on Loose Women to promote his new single as Sara Lee. He claimed that he mistakenly thought he was Katie Price. Although he said he would like to drag perform on the X Factor, producers ‘wouldn’t allow him.
Johnny Robinson (Harrow) was 46 years of age when he performed the Etta James masterpiece At Last to impress judges.
Robinson, a favorite judge and fan favourite, left the show.
He revealed later that he was suffering from PTSD during filming of the series. In 2016, he revealed that he was suffering from PTSD and had an backstory which remained secret.
“The public got sick of the idea that contestants appeared on the show to sell their pet hamsters. However, I lost my father in 2008. In 2011, I auditioned. His lung cancer was also diagnosed, as well as two brain tumours.
“He refused to be admitted into hospice, so I cared for him. From the time he was diagnosed to his death, he had been dead for 12 weeks. He had both a nervous breakdown as well as PTSD.
He appeared on Loose Women in 2016 as Sara Lee (his drag artist alter-ego) to promote his new single. He claimed he would like to drag perform on the X Factor, but producers ‘wouldn’t allow him to’.
He said, “It was too radical.” He said, “Before I was born.”
Johnny’s current financial situation is unknown, but he continues to be active on social media where he posts viral videos of dogs and states that he’s interested in paranormal science and free speech.
The Risk
Boy band: A year after X Factor produced One Direction, Simon Cowell and the team were no doubt hoping to recapture the fandom with boyband The Risk, also put together from solo acts. They lost out in the final round of competition. Pictured left to right: Andrew Merry, Ashley Baptiste, Charlie Healy and Derry Mensah. Baptiste eventually left the group.
Simon Cowell and his team were hopeful of capturing the fandom a decade after One Direction’s success on X Factor. They also planned to reunite the fans with The Risk, a boyband formed from single acts.
Initially consisting of Ashley Baptiste, Andy Merry, Derry Mensah, Marlon McKenzie and Mitchell McPike, both Marlon and Mitchell were removed from the group at the judges’ houses stage of the competition. Charlie Healy was previously in another band and was added to the group.
The judges loved them and celebrities including JLS expected them to win the final.
Baptiste was a performer in the live performances, but he left before the beginning of the fourth round. He stated that he did not see the future of being in boybands and was replaced in this role by Ashford Campbell who, previously, had been part of Nu Vibe. After Baptiste’s departure, the Risk were expelled.
Baptiste dropped out of auditions: Baptiste was pictured performing in live shows, but he left before the beginning of the fourth round because he couldn’t see his future being in boybands. He was replaced by Ashford Campbell
TV career: It turned out to be the best possible decision for Cambridge University graduate Baptiste, who is now a BBC journalist and presenter who has worked on BBC News and BBC1 show For Love Or Money with Kym Marsh, pictured
Ashley Baptiste:This was the right decision for Baptiste, a Cambridge University graduate, and he is now a BBC journalist/presenter. He has previously worked on BBC News and BBC1’s For Love Or Money With Kym Marsh, as well as The One Show. A BBC Sounds podcast is also presented by him.
He also fronted a BBC Three documentary Care Home Kids: Looking For Love, where he opened up about his own experiences of living in care. Baptiste worked previously for Victoria Derbyshire.
Baptiste is now a father to Joanna, and has also welcomed their daughter.
Andy Merry Andrew Merry, a former Volkswagen salesman, is from Scotland and was able build a career in music after leaving The X Factor.
He now lives in Oslo, Norway, with his fiancée Benedicte Bodin, a singer, dancer and actress.
Charlie Healy: Charlie Healy of Coventry is another proud dad. He continues performing and working as a wedding musician. In addition to sharing videos from his gigs, he also shares details about his accomplishments as a long-distance runner.
Derry MensahDerry, like his fellow band members, continues to perform. Derry headlined a Ghanaian concert recently. Derry is currently in Ghana where he lives with his partner, family, and friends.
Derry, who describes himself as singer, actor and dancer, released Sweetheart in September.
Charlie was present to witness his “brother” Derry’s performance on the UK tour earlier in the year.