Seven years ago, a 15-year-old girl took to the X Factor stage and impressed not only judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh, but also viewers.
She went on to finish seventh place after being mentored by Sharon, 72, ultimately losing out to Rak-Su, who won the 2017 season, but she continued to earn fans on her social media accounts.
Now, Holly Tandy is all grown up and is completely unrecognisable from her TV debut where she sang Alicia Keys’ hit If I Ain’t Got You.
Having undergone a glam transformation, the star, who is in her twenties, regularly shares glimpses of her life with her 90,000 online followers, documenting her travels, outfits, and relationship via Instagram.
One of her most recent posts shows a very different look from her post-X Factor days when she swapped her long brown locks for a short and sharp blonde bob.
Taking to her social media account, Holly shared a mirror selfie of herself sitting in a hairdresser chair, wearing a matching brown athleisure set and debuting a look that is closer to what it was during her time on the show.
Captioning the post ‘Allow me to reintroduce myself’, the singer-turned-influencer showed off her blunt, dark brown bob, which was perfectly curled and styled to frame her face delicately.
Her followers were quick to share their thoughts on the look with many complimenting Holly. Abs Wakefield wrote: ‘Just wow 😍 brunette is back’, while Lex Marsha added: ‘Wow! You look amazing’.
Gemma J commented: ‘Love this colour on you 😍xxx’ and Lizzy Needham told the former singer TV competition star that the dark hair made her bright blue eyes ‘stand out’.
It comes just months after Holly announced she and Lewis Akeister, her partner of four years are engaged and set to become husband and wife.
Lewis popped the question during a romantic getaway to Santorini in Greece following Holly’s 23rd birthday and shared the news with her followers by posting an adorable video capturing the moment Lewis got down on one knee in front of the sunset.
Showing a completely shocked and overwhelmed Holly, she instantly burst into tears, falling to the floor and unable to find the right words as her then-boyfriend anxiously waited for an answer, with the ring box in hand.
Happily accepting, Holly planted a big smooch on Lewis’s lips as fellow holidaymakers cheered for them.
Holly’s caption read: ‘24.07.2024 💍 Mr and Mrs Akeister to be 🥹✨’
Since her X Factor stint catapulted Holly to fame aged just 15, she has continued performing and showcasing her powerful voice, whether it be at local events or via YouTube.
Alongside working on original music, Holly took on the role of Dorothy in a stage version of The Wizard Of Oz in 2018.
Then, in 2019, she was one of six hopefuls competing to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest, just missing out to James Newman.
In 2021, Holly pursued a career change by joining Haus Properties in Yorkshire.
Most recently, she dipped her toe into presenting, fronting social media content for Barnsley FC.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: All the Married at First Sight UK couples still together as another pair split
MORE: The Osbournes producer Cal Boyington found dead at home aged 53
MORE: Huge ITV reality show ends after 10 years as stars bid emotional goodbye
