Fleur East

I used to just sit in the living room and make up songs on the keyboard. ”

It's funny because the perception is that the typical 'X Factor' contestant is the person who's just working 9 to 5 and just decides to one day go and audition. So yeah, for me, it was a very different story. ”

My album is very uplifting and positive and fun. That was my mission - to get people up on their feet and escape the seriousness of life. ”

Everyone assumes it is just 'Wendy who works at Tesco' who goes to audition for 'X Factor,' and then their lives are changed, wham, like that. Me, I am someone who has tried for years in the music industry. ”

I used to hate performing in front of anybody, but I was forced to sing in front of family, at family gatherings. Then it slowly developed, and I started to love it. ”

The X Factor' was the final push I needed to have the presence and confidence on stage, which I didn't have before. It's a crash course in the music industry. If you can survive the show, you're ready for the industry. ”

I used to shop in ASDA all the time. Every now and then I still go in to get a little salad for lunch. ”

I put pressure on myself all the time. I felt it so much with 'Sax,' but I had to just let go and enjoy it. ”

Even before I auditioned for 'X Factor' the second time, I was doing a lot of dance music. ”

Everyone's path is really different, and you just have to be in the right place at the right time. 'The X Factor' gave me that chance I needed, that platform. ”