Who Are The X Factor Contestants

The X Factor reality tv show, recognized as the most popular competiition show on television with over 14M viewers per episode.

It was recently revealed that participants no longer need to win the show in order to sign a record deal! In the UK the four runners up were given recording contracts by Mr. Cowell. This raises the question, what is the point of winning? There is a lot more pressure on the shoulders for the X Factor winner.

Looking at the recent history of the UK version of the X Factor in the past two years, there are several examples of participants for the final winner to make. Let’s compare past the x factor winners and runner ups Olly Murs, Diana Vickers and X Factor winner Joe McElddery. All albums performed well in the charts.

The X Factor Contestants – another runner up

Another runner up, this time from 2008, is JLS. They sold millions of singles and won numerous awards.

Your career seems to have a blanket and could further extend previous winners such as Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward and Leon Jackson.

winning the X Factor a blessing or is it a curse? Steve Brookstein won the first series of X Factor in 2004 beat pop group G4. After the show, he signed with Sony BMG to release a single titled "Against All Odds", but was dropped from the label in the first year – he is now scraping a living performing in small pubs in the UK.

Shayne Ward won the second series in 2005, he received a Christmas number one with "that's my goal." He later went on to release two albums, but unfortunately developed some nodules of the vocal cords, which we are told were successfully treated. Shayne is apparently very popular in Korea.

In terms of sales winners were a great success. But only a few are able to sustain a successful caree. Leona Lewis, who won in 2006 is by far the most successful. She sold more than 4.5 million albums worldwide and received enthusiastic reviews in the United States. Her fifth UK single ‘Run’ became the fastest selling version of all-time digital sales of 69 244 in just two days.

The X Factor Contestants – season 4 winner

The X Factor season 4 winner Leon Jackson published a number one single "When You Believe" and a second "Do Not Call This Love," but neither did well in the charts. He was later dropped by Sony BMG, but conitued to tour with other participants of the X Factor, Same Difference.

Alexandra Burke won the show in 2008, her first single, "Hallelujah", a Jeff Buckley cover song, sold 105,000 units in one day and did more than one million singles sold. She is probably the second most successful winner and had a series of multiple Brit and MOBO Awards.

Joe McElderry’s career has unfortunately disappointing start, a battle against X Factor Christmas number one petition Rage against the machine. His first album, released by Syco Music reached number three.

The X Factor is probably one of the most successful shows ever on our TV. But has enrolled with the final round, a bitter dispute, scandals, Wagner and the revelation that Simon Cowell received four awards participants.

TV talent shows the X Factor and American Idol provide a great catalyst to fame and wealth, or short lived notoriety for the less talented singers.

As many reality singing contests take over our TV screens, the general public seem getting bored of this format. Mega shows like Big Brother and I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here have had a tough time maintaining viewer ratings, and often to resort to more and more outrageous actions to keep viewer interest.

While The X Factor has kept its' viewing numbers, artists who have proven a success on the tv show have been less successful after the show ends.

Music fans, irritated by with the X Factor’s constant dominion over the highly sought-after Xmas number one, challenged The X Factor in 2009 by driving sales for the expletive-heavy Rage Against the Machine song “Killing In the Name Of”, to prevent The X Factor winner from tracking the number one in the Christmas billboard charts.

Although Joe McElderry's song reached number one the week after Christmas, music fans made their voices heard. Joe McElderry later failed to attain any real success following this, and relied heavily on his personal life to keep him in the public eye.

2010 the X Factor winner Matt Cardle attained the highest public votes ever recorded on the tv show, but less than a year later, Matt had only one hit song to his name and has disappeared into anonymity.

What can future the X Factor winners and contestants anticipate? One thing is for certain; they should enjoy their 15 minutes of fame while it persists.