One X Factor star who reduced the judges to tears on the ITV show looks totally different five years after her incredible audition.
Shanaya Atkinson-Jones blew Nicole Scherzinger away as she performed a mind-blowing rendition of Say Something by A Great Big World in 2017, aged just 19.
She was instantly recognisable with her edgy look, donning a burgundy crushed velvet jacket and black skinny jeans for her solo song, with her dark curls framing her face in a stunning halo.
Though she impressed fans around the country, Shanaya was dropped from the programme at Sharon Osbourne’s Six Chair Challenge – though she released her debut single, her cover of Say Something, just a day later.
Speaking to ChronicleLive at the time of its release, she explained: “I love the song as I get to really get to the heart of it.
(Image: ITV)
“My strongest suit is my ballads as I love to give loads of emotion in my performances, so it’s the perfect song for me to be releasing for my single.”
Now 24, Shanaya has a completely different look.
She regularly updates her social media followers on her life, and regularly posts incredible snaps.
(Image: ITV)
The star tends to wear her brunette hair in a sleek style down to her waist, and opts for a range of fashion choices – with her most recent snap showing her in a black t-shirt emblazoned with silver diamantés and a black-and-white striped blazer.
A white leather clutch bag completed the ensemble, as Shanaya donned an array of chunky silver rings that glinted in the sunlight.
“Waiting for cocktails,” she captioned the snap.
(Image: Instagram)
Since her life-changing audition, Shanaya has also opened up on her battle with fibromyalgia – which, according to the NHS, is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Posting a snap in her wheelchair, rocking a black-and-white pinafore and leather jacket, she explained to her fans: “Hey guys, ok so I haven’t been completely honest with you all.
“I’ve been really ill since August 2020, reason being why I haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been having all kinds of symptoms including the most excruciating pain (chronic pain) all over my body from head to toe, to the point where I can’t do the simplest things in life that I took for granted like brush my hair or make myself a cup of tea or even walk.
(Image: Instagram)
“Hence the wheelchair. Another symptom is chronic fatigue (tiredness) all I do is sleep because the pain is so exhausting it drains all of my energy that’s a reason why I haven’t been posting any singing videos.
“So this is my first picture out in my wheels dressed up out of my pjs lol (it took a lot of strength to do my makeup).
“Anyway I could go on and on of what my symptoms are but I won’t it’ll take all day but I’ve been having appointments, blood tests and scans to finally come to the conclusion that in a nutshell, I have fibromyalgia. Great. If there are any updates I will let you guys know. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
