21 February 2024 , 12:00
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X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson has revealed she is in a "strong and happy place" following her battle with the entertainment industry.
The singer shot to fame on the ITV singing competition back in 2010 after placing second behind Matt Cardle. However, she has since spoken out about her experience with industry bosses. Rebecca claimed she was “mentally manipulated, bullied and abused” after the competition and her life became hell when she fell out with two high-powered figures.
Her own experience encouraged her to call for change in the industry including safeguarding for people on reality TV and in music. Reflecting on the past 14 years since the X Factor, Rebecca told The Mirror: "It's been massive, I've learned so much. I've just learned a lot about people. I've learned a lot about myself. I've become a lot stronger, it's just been massive learning for me."
She added: "I feel like I'm in a strong, strong place and a happy place. It took me a long time to become happy, but I feel like I've finally found like happiness, and that's just where I'm at. I'm just in a place where I can look at fame as a bit of an illusion. It's a nice, pretty illusion that people like to read about celebrities, but I do think when you're in it, it's just a bit of an illusion."
Rebecca shot to fame on the X Factor in 2010 (Ken McKay/Rex Features)
She is now focusing her time on her four children (Instagram)Rebecca confessed: "I've just got to that place where I'm like it has been a good ride, but it's all about my kids." The mum-of-four just released her fifth and final album, but has teased it won't be the last time she will release music. She told us: "I think when I initially said that I wanted to leave the industry, I think it was just because it just got to a point where there was just so much happening and I just felt like that at that time.
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"But now that I've had time to think, I think I absolutely love music, and I will still be releasing music." Rebecca shared how doing festival performances works better for her than a full tour so she can be with her children. "I'm in a place where I'm just really pursuing happiness, inner peace, joy and that just feels right and works for me."
Rebecca admitted: "I think for so long, when I was in my early twenties it's all about having a career and being busy and making money. It was not that those things are not important because they are, but balance is more important now. I just want to be able to be at the school gates, pick them up, drop them off." Rebecca, who was fostered as a child, shared how she plans to adopt children in the future.
Reflecting on her decision to speak out about issues in the industry, Rebecca quipped: "It needed a loud Scouser to get it started." She shared how the reaction has been "so positive". Rebecca said: "There's been such a positive reaction, which has been lovely actually. Naturally, you don't know what way it will go, but the reaction industry wide has been positive. You're gonna get the odd person that doesn't like it, but that's normally because they've got stuff to hide. Generally speaking, everyone's been really, really positive and is really welcoming of it."
Rebecca’s Heaven Pt II UK Tour will start in May and shewill also be performing at the North West’s favourite family-friendly festival, Deva Fest this summer. Find out more here.