Stacey Solomon

Stacey Solomon, a 20-year-old single mother from the working-class London suburb of Dagenham, is a finalist on the 2009 edition of the U.K.'s televised X Factor talent competition. Solomon debuted on first episode of the sixth season with a rendition of the Louis Armstrong hit "What a Wonderful World" that was praised by all four judges.http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/126083-x-factors-stacey-solomon-wants-to-make-son-proud/

Stacey Solomon has been singing since she was a young child, according to her stepmother, Karen.http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/122248/Party-girl-with-X-factor While attending King Solomon High School, Solomon focused on music study, impressing her music teacher as a natural talent.http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/20824/how-golders-green-got-x-factor-and-stacey-solomon After the birth of Solomon's son, Zachary, in early 2008, the then-teenage mother continued her musical education, studying for a degree in Performing Arts at Havering College in Hornchurch, Essex. http://www.havering-college.ac.uk/college-calendar-dates/college-news/news.aspx?p=109421

Although Solomon had auditioned for X Factor twice before, she finally made the cut in the series' sixth season.http://www.staceyxsolomon.co.uk/News/pulse.html In an August 1, 2009 performance during the contest's pre-season elimination period, she sang a rendition of the 1968 Louis Armstrong hit "What a Wonderful World," becoming one of 24 finalists. The performance was aired on the season's first episode, September 27, 2009. In subsequent live episodes, Solomon has remained in the contest with versions of Coldplay's "The Scientist," the classic r&b ballad "At Last" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Disney's Pinocchio, respectively.

As of the fourth week of live broadcast episodes, Solomon is one of 12 remaining X Factor finalists.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1222804/X-Factor-Finalists-record-Jackson-charity-single-aid-Great-Ormond-Street-Hospital.html