‘People Are Finally Taking Me Seriously!'

She’s our X Factor: Celebrity winner – and it’s not hard to see why Megan McKenna has won over the nation

- Rebecca Calderwood

A few months ago you probably knew Megan McKenna best as the mouthy one from The Only Way Is Essex. But the 27-year-old has reinvented herself as a classy country music act, all thanks to a very successful stint on The X Factor: Celebrity. The Essex girl’s appearance on the show came after she released debut album Story Of Me in 2018, but she had her eye on something much bigger – a record deal with none other than Simon Cowell! With her beautiful voice and a catalog of heartfelt, original songs, it’s no wonder Megan was favorite to win the ITV show. Here she opens up to Woman about discovering a new fan base and why she turned her back on reality TV for good…

Hi Megan! Performing on The X Factor must have been a real ‘pinch me’ moment...

It’s been amazing and surreal. I’ve always wanted to do The X Factor, so being able to be on it and do my own songs has made the experience even more incredible. I’m finally being taken seriously for what I love to do and what I’ve worked hard for.

You released an album last year. Was it difficult to crack the music industry all on your own?