Amelia Lily started out as just another 'X Factor' hopeful, singing Janis Joplin's 'Take Another Little Piece of my Heart' at her audition to great applause.
But it soon became clear Amelia was made of tougher stuff than some of her predecessors when she was knocked out of the competition in the first week of the finals - only to come back with her head held high when she was reinstated thanks to the public vote.
They have gone on to produce the candyfloss-coloured haired singer's debut album, including her number two single 'You Bring Me Joy' and the top 10 hit 'Shut Up (And Give Me Whatever You Got)'. Now she's back with the clubby and colourful 'Party Over' just in time for summer.
The Huffington Post UK caught up with the young star from Middlesbrough, who found herself mentored by Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland, to see if she's still got that fighting spirit...
Your debut album is out soon, what are you most looking forward to about that?
"I think I'm looking forward to the public hearing a softer side to me, because the album is versatile and diverse. I think it would be nice for people to see the different types of sound on there."
How much of it did you write yourself?
"I wrote six tracks on the album. When I was younger, I kind of just wrote songs about what I was going through. But when I started writing this album, the music was being done, then I created a melody and then we came up with topics, so it was kind of different. We have a different way of working in Xenomania - it's a little bit odd."
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'Party Over' has a 'Skins' feel to its video. Do you go to parties like that yourself?
"No, I wish! That was a really American-style house party, but I had a great time filming it - so if I did ever throw a party like that it would be great fun. It took 17 hours to film."
Did you get to drink on set to make you feel like you were at a party?
"I'm underage to drink over there so I wasn't able to."
NME have called your new song Xenomania's "worst work to date" - what do you think about that?
"Do you know what? I think that people can write what they want about me and everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if they think it's bad than that's totally fine. But I'm proud of it and my fans and supporters are proud of it and that's all that matters to me."
What do you like about it?
"I like it because I never thought I'd have done a drum and bass song before and I really like the lyrics and the spin on it - the fact that it's about a breakup and the end to a party, but also the fact that it's an upbeat song."
You supported Girls Aloud on tour. How was that? Did you have any idea they were splitting up?
"Absolutely incredible, I can't believe I actually did it. It was such an experience for me and it's one of those things where you look up to someone for so many years and then four years later I was opening for them.
It was all kind of go-go-go and everyone was doing their own thing - but when I did see them, they were lovely. I probably bonded with Nadine the most. I literally had no clue they were splitting up and obviously I was just as upset as everybody else was because I think they're great."
What's been the biggest change for you since leaving 'The X Factor'?
"I think having to fend for myself and look after myself, because obviously I'm still a teenager and I depend on my parents a lot - so that's kind of been an eye-opener. But I'm getting better."
WATCH: Amelia auditioning for 'The X Factor'...
How much are you like the average 18-year-old?
"I don't know how to use the washing machine, I don't know how to cook, I don't know how to use a microwave, I'm terrible. Beans on toast is what I'd cook if I had to.
"I live with my brother so he looks after me."
Finally, what have you learnt about fame so far?
"Don't get caught up too much in it. I think people can sometimes get a bit lost being in the public eye all the time. The reason I do my job is because I love to sing and I love to perform - and that's what I've always reminded myself of all the time."
Amelia Lily's latest single 'Party Over' is out now.
X Factor: The Biggest Losers
Olly Murs, Series 6(01 of16)
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Poor old Joe McElderry might have won series six but it was undoubtedly runner-up Olly who ended up victorious. Where Joe's career never really got started, Olly bagged himself a no.1 single with Please Don't Let Me Go and a double platinum debut album. His second album hit the shelves in November and he's currently presenting X Factor spin-off show The Xtra Factor. (Pic: Wire Image)
One Direction, Series 7(02 of16)
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They were thrown together at Bootcamp after they failed to make the grade as solo acts - but for Louis, Harry, Zayn, Niall and Liam it was probably the best thing to ever happen to them. One Direction zoomed straight to the final of the seventh series and while they only finished third, Uncle Simon wasn't going to let them go that easily. Their debut single What Makes You Beautiful shot straight to number one, and their album Up All Night hit number two. Something tells us these lads could be here for a while... (Pic: Rex)
Cher Lloyd, Series 7(03 of16)
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Cher Lloyd was one of the most controversial acts in the seventh series of the show, despite being 'right up Cheryl Cole's street'. While she only finished fourth, the pint-sized popstar was snapped up by Simon and whisked off to LA to record with top American producers. She returned to these shores with her Marmite single Swagger Jagger, which hit the top spot in the summer of 2011. An album soon followed, as did more snarly attitude. (Pic: Rex)
Stacey Solomon, Series 6(04 of16)
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Dagenham gal Stacey might not have won the singing comp but she's gone on to become something of a reality star after being crowned Queen of the Jungle on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! And thanks to Kerry Katona's extra-curricular habits she's also replaced her as the face of 'mum's favourite' Iceland - no surprise then, that she was also voted Mum of the Year. And it looks like singing is back on the agenda too, with an album in the pipeline and live gigs around the country. (Pic: Getty)
Andy Abraham, Series 2(05 of16)
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In the closest ever X Factor final, bin man Andy was pipped to the post by Shayne Ward by just 1.2% of the vote. It was still enough for him to secure a recording contract and his debut album reached no.2 (beaten to the top spot by fellow X Factor losers Journey South). Other less successful albums followed before Andy was chosen to represent the UK at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. He came last. Despite this, his website describes him as a man 'who has braved and exceeded all expectations over the last 4 years'. Hmmm. (Pic: Getty)
Chico Slimani, Series 2(06 of16)
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Proving that a little luck can go a VERY long way, the former stripper made it to the quarter finals of series two and even managed to score a number 1 single (the all-time classic It's Chico Time) before doing the obligatory tour of Butlins. He later went on to sing at Muslim events under his original name of Yousseph Slimani and even re-recorded his first single as It's England Time after having a vision that England won the 2010 World Cup. Oh dear. He is now married to the sister of tennis star Nenad Zimonjic who he is expecting his third child with. (Pics: Rex)
Eoghan Quigg, Series 5(07 of16)
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For every JLS there are a dozen Eoghan Quiggs (or Eggnog as he *coughs*affectionately became known). Despite bagging himself a record deal and a support slot on Boyzone's UK tour, things sped downhill quickly for the big-haired Irish lad after his debut album flopped and was declared 'the worst album in the history of recorded sound' by the Guardian. Ouch. He was last seen popping up on Harry Hill's TV Burp. Say no more. (Pic: Redferns)
G4, Series 1(08 of16)
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The four piece vocal troupe might have been runners-up to series 1 winner Steve Brookstein but actually went on to outsell him - shifting 240,000 copies of their debut album in the first week of release - but eventually split in 2007 due to disagreements within the band. Nothing has been heard from any of them since apart from ickle Jonathan (the blond) who is about to embark on a mammoth eight date 'intimate' tour of the likes of Hartlepool. Aaah, the fickle finger of fame. (Pic: Rex)
Jedward, Series 6(09 of16)
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Who'd have thought that Irish twins John and Edward Grimes would go so, so far? Despite no obvious talent the brothers are already both millionaires and can count David Cameron amongst their fans. They've released two albums, been the face of Nintendo DS , Rowntrees Randoms, Travel Supermarket and Shake 'n' Vac and represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Heck, they've even performed for President Obama. And then they had a turn in Celebrity Big Brother for a reported £1million. (Pic: Getty)
JLS, Series 5(10 of16)
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If ever there was proof that you don't need to win X Factor to go on to have a successful career then JLS are it. The boys' debut album sold over a million copies, they've had five number one singles (the only X Factor act to do so), won two Brits and four MOBOs. And if any further proof were needed that JLS have hit the big time - they also have their own line of condoms. (Pic: Getty)
Lucie Jones, Series 6(11 of16)
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Life's been pretty good for Lucy since appearing on the X Factor. She landed a modelling contract (and became the face and body of Wonderbra), performed opposite rumoured love interest Nick Jonas on the London stage, spent a year in Les Mis and is about to give a pop another stab. She was briefly linked to Louis from One Direction and is currently dating Cameron Mackintosh's personal trainer after being introduced by the impresario. Busy gal. (Pic: Film Magic)
Ray Quinn, Series 3(12 of16)
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If it wasn't for a certain Leona Lewis, Ray would have won the third series of X Factor but had to make do with the runner's up role. He still managed to bag himself a number 1 album though before being unceremoniously dumped by Mr. Cowell. Proving you can't keep a chipmunk-faced crooner down, he went on to star in Grease the Musical before skating off as the winner of Dancing on Ice in 2009. He was last spotted opening a fete but things are looking up again with a panto and another stint in Grease in the pipeline. (Pic: Rex)
Rebecca Ferguson, Series 7(13 of16)
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Rebecca kept in the spotlight post-X Factor after hitting the headlines thanks to her relationship with 18-year-old Zayn Malik from One Direction, who is six years her junior. She insisted she was "genuinely in love" with her fellow X Factor finalist but they split in summer 2011. Despite advertising Walkers crisps on the telly she's signed to Epic Records who have help steer Olly Murs and JLS on to chart success. Her album Heaven was released in December. (Pics: Wire Image)
Rhydian Roberts, Series 4(14 of16)
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The classically trained Welsh baritone had already been in the biz for a number of years before auditioning for The X Factor and he's continued to do well since. His debut album went platinum, he completed a 27-date solo tour of the UK, performed for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th birthday in Hyde Park and was even asked by Prince Charles to become a patron of The Prince's Trust. He's just released his third album and is set to join Grease the Musical on tour as well as reprising his role of Khashoggi in We Will Rock You. (Pic: Rex)
Rowetta Satchell, Series 1(15 of16)
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'Barking mad' Rowetta (Simon Cowell's words, not ours) has popped up on The Weakest Link, Celebrity Scissorhands and Footballers' Wives since leaving The X Factor but also continues to sing in musical theatre. She's featured in productions of The Best of Broadway, Christmas on Broadway and the Songs of Sister Act but her biggest recent claim to fame was being sampled on the Black Eyed Peas hit Boom Boom Pow. (Pic: Rex)
Same Difference, Series 4(16 of16)
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Love-em-or-hate-em smiley siblings Sean and Sarah left the competition and headed straight into the recording studio thanks to Simon Cowell but despite recording with some of the biggest names in pop - including Pete Waterman - the duo's debut album didn't exactly set the charts alight and they were quickly dropped. Undeterred, they've since released another album independently and were last seen touring Butlins up and down the land. (Pic: Rex)