The X Factor is a long-running TV talent show franchise that has been the origin of many Eurovision contestants in recent years. This year ten artists have a history on one of those talent shows, including one winner and one runner-up. Let’s take a look.

Australia: Isaiah Firebrace – The X Factor (Australia)

Isaiah was a contestant on the most recent Australian series of The X Factor, which he went on to win. He was mentored by Adam Lambert and charmed Australia with his smoky, soulful voice. Here is Isaiah’s grand final performance of Beyoncé’s “Halo”.

Austria: Nathan Trent – X Factor (Germany)

In 2011, Nathan was a contestant on the German edition of X Factor. He auditioned as a solo artist, but the judges paired him up with singer Daniel Leitner to form the dubiously titled duo Boys II Hot. They didn’t make it far in the live shows — their week one performance of “When Will I Be Famous” failed to win over viewers and made them the first act to be sent home.

Watch their performance here. But we totally understand if you just want to gaze at this amazing photo for a while.

Bulgaria: Kristian Kostov – X Factor (Bulgaria)

After getting his start on the Russian edition of The Voice Kids, Kristian Kostov appeared on X Factor in Bulgaria in 2015. The 15-year-old soon became a teen heartthrob and made it all the way to the grand final, where he placed as the runner-up. Here’s his performance of Bruno Mars’ “Lazy Song”.

Cyprus: Hovig – The X Factor (Greece & Cyprus)

Hovig was a contestant on series two of the Greece and Cyprus version of The X Factor in 2009. He placed seventh on the series. That year also featured Ivi Amadou and Eleftheria Eleftheriou, who would go on to represent Cyprus and Greece respectively at Eurovision 2012. Here Hovig sinks his teeth into the soul classic “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”.

Finland: Leena Tirronen (Norma John) – X Factor Finland

Before teaming up with Lasse Piirainen to form the duo Norma John, vocalist Leena was a contestant on the Finnish edition of the X Factor.  In 2010 she participated in the first and only Finnish series of the international franchise. Leena placed third on the show, which launched her music career. Videos from the show are hard to find, but here’s a bootleg of one of Leena’s performances.

Montenegro: Slavko Kalezic – X Factor Adria

In 2013, after auditioning with a Beyonce song, Slavko only made it as far as the Judges’ Houses on X Faktor. But that wasn’t the end of his journey. The show trialled him as the live show host, and returned to the semi-final in both 2014 and 2015 to perform his singles “Krivac” and “Feel the Love”. Previous Eurovision stars to come from X Factor Adria are series one winner Daniel Kajmakoski (FYR Macedonia 2015) and series two finalists Highway (Montenegro 2016).

Romania: Ilinca feat. Alex Florea – X Factor (Romania)

Ilinica was a contestant on X Factor Romania in 2013. She was part of the vocal harmony girl group Quattro. But things didn’t go so well for them. While they made it to the live shows, Quattro were eliminated in the first week.

Alex had better luck on the show the following year. In 2014, he made it to the live shows in the Over 20s category. He was known for his big rock performances, which included Robbie Williams’ “Let Me Entertain You”. Alex placed seventh on the series.

Russia: Julia Samoylova – Faktor A (Russia)

In 2013, Julia competed in the third series of Faktor A. She was mentored by the Russian radio personality Roman Emelyanov, and went to to finish as the series runner-up. Here Julia shows her Eurovision skills with a powerful performance of Marija Serifovic’s “Molitva”.

United Kingdom: Lucie Jones – The X Factor

In 2009, at the age of 18, Lucie made it to the live shows of The X Factor UK. She was mentored by Dannii Minogue, who later mentored Dami Im in The X Factor Australia.. Lucie placed eighth in the series,  and was controversially eliminated by the public vote in a deadlock against Jedward. Here’s Lucie’s emotional audition performance of “I Will Always Love You”.

Who is your favourite X Factor star at Eurovision 2017?

Which of these acts is your favourite? Have your say by voting in our poll. You can vote for as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once — so choose carefully!

[polldaddy poll=9704978]

 

Coming soon: We’ll also be taking a look at Eurovision 2017 artists who have found fame on other talent show, including Idol.

READ MORE OF OUR EUROVISION LISTS

24 Comments
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Bella
Bella
6 years ago

Ohhhmystars….Isaiah Firebrace with Halo!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 I like his Eurovision song but it's not my favorite. However, his voice is absolutely gorgeous!! Best wishes to him at the contest! <3 "Feel the Love" really shows Slavko's singing talent in a way that "Space" doesn't. I still like space but it doesn't show his vocal talent to its fullest extent! I like Alex's X factor performance! It's cool and he has more of a "bad boy" vibe than he does singing with Ilinca (I still like "yodel it" though)! I also really liked Julia. Last but not least, Lucie… Read more »

Julia
Julia
6 years ago

Kristian of course :3

M_K
M_K
7 years ago

That season of German X-Factor was the only one I – albeit partially – watched. I don’t think I would have recognised him without a hint.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

how is it possible that there are no HD videos of Finnish X Factor?

Lucie is amazing, can’t believe Jedward were the reason she left the show! Also, Hovig was a contestant in the same year Ivi and Eleftheria competed on X Factor!

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Bulgaria !?

Gerg?HUN
Gerg?HUN
7 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvtVP7k8ALY
Ilinca was in the The Voice of Romania too! 🙂

Toni
Toni
7 years ago

Bulgaria is not in the poll.

Kristian Kostov
Kristian Kostov
7 years ago

Why’s Bulgaria and Kris not in this poll?

Iberian
Iberian
7 years ago

I’ve been waiting for something like this. Hunky Alex Florea in leather pants giving us some MÃ¥ns realness. Wow!

Toni
Toni
7 years ago

I’m from Romania and I’ve had no idea that Ilinca and Alex were both in The Voice and X Factor. Who watches those shows? Are useless, and the proof is that their fame came only from National Selection for Eurovision.
There is one thing I know about those useless shows, that last year’s Ovidiu Anton was a former contestant in X Factor and the jury rejected him only because of jealousy. Those shows are vomit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMOvj73AjLs

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Oh dear. It looks like the poll needs to be re-set due to technical gremlins with Bulgaria. I hope this isn’t a bad sign for the actual contest!
(Anyone remember the 2003 re-count? Let’s not do that again.)

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

@Jackson – Exactly. Look what Dami did with a mediocre song last year. Do not count Isaiah out!

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

If anyone has doubts about Hovig delievering live, just check out this performance right here. I must say I didn’t remember it (it’s been a really long time). He was so good! Hope he’ll do great in May!

As for the rest, Lucie sang one of the most difficult songs ever and slayed! As well as Julia performing Molitva! Stunning!

I should also mention Isaiah’s performance in the fnal of X – Factor! Amazing!!

James
James
7 years ago

I can’t wait for the Rising Star list.

Oh wait…There’s only one Rising Star alumnus going into this year’s show though. Never mind. 😀

But I’m most looking forward to Pop Idol’s.

William Lazarev !!!
William Lazarev !!!
7 years ago

Lol Kristian is “dancing with gorillaz”! 😀

MSN
MSN
7 years ago

Where is Bulgaria?? Why it’s not in the poll??

#PROUDFIN
#PROUDFIN
7 years ago

You should show Leena’s songs from her solo career, after the X-factor.
Her stage name was “Leena Ihmemaassa”. She had few hits on finnish radio stations like “Onnun” and “Piru”.

Leena Ihmemaassa: Onnun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc4KcHNsbn4

Aurel
Aurel
7 years ago

Dannii Minogue also mentored Ruth Lorenzo, Spain ESC representative in 2014, who finished 5th in the uk xfactor 2008 and 10th in ESC 2014

Rhingo
Rhingo
7 years ago

I got goosebumps !
Julia is amazing <3

Mark
Mark
7 years ago

Bulgaria isn’t in the poll

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Lucie Jones was (and is) one of my favourite contestants from The X Factor. 🙂

azeraki
azeraki
7 years ago

Wow! is Alla Pugacheva (Eurovision 1995)?

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

Lucie and Julia. <3

azeraki
azeraki
7 years ago

RUSSIA!
Love song.
Beautifull Yuliya.