4. Cher Lloyd
Cher auditioned for the seventh series of The X Factor when she was just 16 years old, and even after her first audition, she was one of the bookies favourites to be crowned winner of the show. Despite finishing fourth, she was signed to Simon Cowells Syco label, a decision he has not regretted. While she has had some success in the UK and other countries, especially with her annoying Swagger Jagger, Cher has spent a lot of her time trying to build up a reputation in the cash cow that is the US. It looks like her efforts have paid off too not only has she had two hits on the Billboard Hot 100, but her debut album, Sticks and Stones, reached number 9 in the US album charts. Impressive stuff compared to Matt Cardle, the winner of the X factor the year she competed. His debut single from his second album, The Fire, peaked at 175 in the UK last year.