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The first season finale of the American X Factor airs tonight, concludes tomorrow night, and guarantees to crown another pop act that we will forget about in a month. That is, unless, voters get it right and pick a singer who not only has the vocal talent, but also the star quality and sex appeal to keep the masses truly interested. Case in point: The 15 Hottest Singing Competition Winners from around the world. Keep reading to check them out.
Vierka Beryova
15. VIERKA BERYOVA
Show: Slovensko hľadá SuperStar (Slovakia)
Her win in the third season of Slovakia Searching for a Superstar was a triumph for the Romany community. Unfortunately, despite the 20 year-old’s status as a beloved budding pop star, BMG Recordings terminated her contract while she was working on her first album. She has yet to release her own single.
Agnes Carlsson
14. AGNES CARLSSON
Show: Idol (Sweden)
Now, the fifth winner of Swedish Idol is simply known as Agnes. The 23-year-old has already achieved international success since her start in 2005, at 17 years old. On top of two No. 1 albums in Sweden, Agnes had two singles on her third album, “On and On” and “Release Me,” reach the top-ten in charts around the world.
Carrie Underwood
13. CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Show: American Idol
Arguably the most successful American Idol winner ever, Carrie Underwood has won several Grammys, Country Music Awards, American Music Awards and was even nominated for a Golden Globe. The gracious and gorgeous fourth winner of the long-running singing competition has had a number of sold-out tours, hosted her own CMT Invitation Only, and starred in the mainstream Hollywood film, Soul Surfer.
Asia Nitollano
12. ASIA NITOLLANO
Show: Pussycat Dolls: Search for the Next Doll (US)
While the singer, regarded as the “best all-around performer” among the finalists, did win the competition to be the next Doll, Nitollano never actually assumed her position long enough to perform with the group outside of the show. Instead, the former Knicks cheerleader blazed through that whole group phase and sought her own solo career. After failing, Nitollano attempted to rejoin the New York Knicks organization.
Susanna Petrosyan
11. SUSANNA PETROSYAN
Show: Hay Superstar (Armenia)
Susanna Petrosyan captivated Armenia as the first winner of country’s version of Britain’s Pop Idol. Not only did the 22 year-old have the voice to garner votes, but it was also difficult not to fixate on her beauty.
Gretchen Espina
10. GRETCHEN ESPINA
Show: Pinoy Idol (Philippines)
Gretchen hails as the first ever winner of Pinoy Idol, much to no one’s surprise. During the show, Espina never faced elimination nor received any negative comments. After missing much of 2009 due to a throat ailment, Espina returned to the limelight in 2010 with her debut album Shining Through and her first acting gig in the film Diva.
Eva Avila
9. EVA AVILA
Show: Canadian Idol
Shortly after earning the title, Eva Avila signed with Sony BMG Canada and released her single, “Meant to Fly,” which topped the charts for nine consecutive weeks. Given her mass popularity in Canada, Avila also garnered the attention of the U.S.’s Maybelline New York, who made her the first Canadian to ever represent the brand.
Aubrey O'Day
8. AUBREY O’DAY
Show: Making the Band 3 (US)
Everyone knows Aubrey O’Day as the most infamous member of Diddy’s second attempt at a successful band, Danity Kane. Despite being the first girl chosen for the group, she was the first one fired, thanks to televised disputes with the band and with Diddy. Naturally, O’Day’s flamboyant personality landed the singer her own reality show All About Aubrey, chronicling her quest for even more solo stardom.
Chrystina Sayers
7. CHRYSTINA SAYERS
Show: Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (US)
Although she was selected as one of the members of the group Girlicious, Sayers always seemed to stand out on her own thanks to her looks and vocal ability. With her exit from Girlicious, new reports are circulating that she has joined what is essentially Girlicious’ older sister, the new and regrouped Pussycat Dolls.
Nevena Tsovena
6. NEVENA TSONEVA
Show: Music Idol (Bulgaria)
Nevena Tsoneva had been singing competitively most of her life in Bulgaria before becoming the first winner Music Idol. After a series of strong and competitive performances, Tsoneva would impress her country as an all-around performer and take 64% of the final votes.
Ninet Tayeb
5. NINET TAYEB
Show: Kochav Nolad (Israel)
After winning the first season of the Israeli version of American Idol, Tayeb achieved the longest lasting popularity in the show’s history. She became such a beloved figure in Israeli pop culture that she starred in a show that was created for her and loosely based on her own life called HaShir Shelanu, which translates into Our Song.
Leona Lewis
4. LEONA LEWIS
Show: The X Factor (UK)
After being crowned the winner of the The X Factor, Lewis went onto become a multi-platinum selling artist and a Grammy-nominated singer. The “Bleeding Love” singer also lent her voice to the theme song of the biggest movie in history, James Cameron’s Avatar.
Monika Brodka
3. MONIKA BRODKA
Show: Pop Idol (Poland)
Since winning Poland’s Pop Idol in 2004 at 17 years old, Monika Brodka has released several singles including her most recent, “Granda” and “Krzyżówka dni,” in addition to three studio albums. When she’s not singing, she voices Karai in the Polish version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Cheryl Cole
2. CHERYL COLE
Show: Popstar: The Rivals (UK)
Cole found success as a chosen member of Girls Aloud. Given her undeniable looks and commercial appeal, Cole stood out as the front woman of the group and eventually embarked on her own successful solo career.
Nicole Scherzinger
1. NICOLE SCHERZINGER
Show: Popstars (US)
Nicole Scherzinger is best known as the former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman who is currently judging on the U.S. version of The X Factor. However, people often forget that the sexy songstress also made it big on another televised competition entitled Popstars, which landed her a spot in the now-defunct girl group, Eden’s Crush.
