Who is Samantha Lavery? X Factor wildcard joining Simon Cowell’s Girls category – here’s what we know

SAMANTHA Lavery has been selected by Louis Walsh as the wildcard for Simon Cowell's girls category in this year's X Factor.

After being rejected and swapped out by Simon during the six chair challenge, 17 year old Samantha said  “I had no idea about the wildcard and couldn’t believe it when I got the call from Louis. I still can’t believe it’s real.

“There were so many tears from me and my family – especially my grandad when I found out I was back in the competition. I feel like I have been given a second chance to prove to Simon I deserve to go to the lives.”

Samantha's inspiration and drive to enter the singing competition was her grandad, who accompanied her to her initial audition.

Samantha revealed her exciting wildcard news to her followers on twitter with a picture of her and Xtra Factor host Rylan Clark.

 

describes her sounds as fresh, different and atmospheric.

However, the young star may have some work to do to impress her mentor Simon Cowell, after her six chair challenge he stated "You have no idea who you are.

"You've over styled yourself, the song was horrible."

The singer blew fans away with her rendition of Ellie Goulding's Explosions in her first auditions, however she failed to impress the judges at the six chair challenge and was swapped out for fellow contestant Gifty Louise.

We'll see Samantha back on our screens again when she takes part in Simon's judges houses, she was picked as a wildcard alongside boyband Yes Lad, contender for the boys  and Saaro Aalto for the overs.

Simon's judges houses will take place at Malibu Beach, where Samantha has been pictured enjoying a day out at the beach with the rest of her fellow Girls category.

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