They were the singers that failed to make it into the band Hear'Say on the ITV talent show Popstars back in 2001 - meaning this year marks the TWENTIETH anniversary of the groups's inception.
But when Liberty X decided to make their own way into the music industry as a group, they showed the public who were the real winners, achieving 10 consecutive UK Top 20 singles and global success.
Their hits, including their most famous Just a Little which was released in 2002, were just banger after banger. And when they split in 2007, the nation's heart broke.
But what have they been up to since?
CHECK OUT: Where are the members of Liberty X now?
Liberty X - Where are they now?
1 of 10Michelle Heaton
After Liberty X split in 2007, it was reported Michelle signed a two album deal with the record label 19 Entertainment, owned by Simon Fuller. However, just two months later she revealed she had walked out on the deal, wanting to pursue a television career over music instead.
2 of 10Michelle Heaton
Michelle definitely chose the right career path as following her decision, her TV profile skyrocketed, becoming a judge on the Irish talent show You're A Star, a contestant on ITV's The Truth About Binge Drinking and in 2009, Michelle was announced as part of the line-up for Celebrity Big Brother, joining Hollywood legends La Toya Jackson and Verne Troyer. After her CBB stint, she joined The Apprentice in Ireland, coming second. The star then took out time from the spotlight, raising two children as well as undergoing a double mastectomy in 2012, followed by a hysterectomy in 2014. She has since become a staple on talk show panels, including Big Brother's Bit On The Side and Loose Women, as well as reuniting with Liberty X in 2012 and 2013 for a UK tour AND becoming a member of Atomic Kitten for a one-off gig in 2016. Michelle is also a vlogger.In May 2021, Michelle sought professional help after turning to alcohol to cope with the pressures of lockdown, her health issues and the death of her close friend, Nikki Grahame, earlier in the year.phew.
3 of 10Kevin Simm
Following the band disembarking, Kevin immediately announced he was to release solo music. However, he only released his music in Japan, becoming a huge hit there when his single Brand New reached number 12 in the charts.
4 of 10Kevin Simm
While Kevin did rejoin the band in 2013 for their reunion, he then returned to his day job as a wedding photographer. But he didn't turn his back on singing altogether, as three years later he auditioned for The Voice UK and won the competition under Ricky Wilson's mentoring, gaining a record deal. Kevin released his solo album, called Recover.Nowadays, Kevin is the new singer for 80s popband Wet Wet Wet and they've just released a new single, Back to Memphis. He's also dad to two adorable sons.
5 of 10Jessica Taylor
Just before the popular band's split, Jessica was a participant in Strictly Ice Dancing in 2005 (the show was short-lived) and then went on to star on Dancing on Ice in 2009, two years after the band parted ways. She came third, boosting her profile as a solo artist.
6 of 10Jessica Taylor
Since then, Jessica has appeared on various TV shows, including Hole In The Wall, The Chase and The Weakest Link. Jessica was also signed as the face and body of Diamond Boutique lingerie by Ultimo in 2009. However, she has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, marrying cricketer Kevin Pietersen in 2007 and welcoming two children.
7 of 10Tony Lundon
As the heartthrob of the band, Tony was offered many deals after the group's split, firstly accepting a presenting role in Ireland, hosting the quiz show TOAST. Yet, in 2010, Tony made a big career change and moved to New York to study film, before going on to found his own production company.
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8 of 10Tony Lundon
Like his other bandmates, Tony returned to the UK for Liberty X's reunion tour, missing some of the rehearsals after his wife went into labour with twins. He now works as a producer, helping other celebs, like Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing, with their YouTube channels. Maybe Michelle and Tony should reunite for a vlog?In May 2019 Tony's company won a Digiday award, and his Twitter bio says he's the CPO of 'social finance platform' AubitNetwork and the director of The Cell Production company. Not too shabby, eh?
9 of 10Kelli Young
Kelli kept out of the spotlight after the band split, only appearing on one other TV show in 2007, where she featured as a contestant on Britain Sings Christmas. She covered Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You.
10 of 10Kelli Young
Kelli made her TV comeback in 2013 for The Big Reunion but then disappeared again until 2017, when she became a guest panellist on Loose Women. Kelli gave birth to twins with Little Mix songwriter Iain James in 2012. What is it with the Liberty X gang having twins? In 2019 she starred as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother in panto in London's Shaw Theatre, and has now turned her attentions to songwriting.
Since the band parted ways, Michelle Heaton has been reminiscing about her days in the band, telling the Daily Star her best moment during their heyday was "performing at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen. That was pretty awesome.
"But touring around Australia with Bon Jovi and Pink, that’s pretty cool. Honestly, when I look back, we did some pretty cool things."
She also recalled her most embarrassing fashion fail, and it was in fact inspired by Lisa Scott-Lee from Steps.
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"I had pink hair in Liberty X. I had pink streaks right at the beginning, that would probably be a real disaster. Not only were they pink hair extensions, they were synthetic pink hair extensions. Imagine trying to straighten my hair and not melt that hair. Game over, every day."
And Michelle has even admitted she'd back her children entering the world of showbiz, revealing, "They could do whatever they wanted. Because I’ve loved it. I know some people can get scarred and it’s hard and it can be cruel, but so can every profession.
"I think it’s the person you are whether you withstand it or let it define or break you. It could’ve broken me many times but I loved it too much to walk away. Or let it break me.
"Also, no one is forcing you to become a successful pop star… Yeah! Is it really that bad? It’s not. I enjoyed every second of being in the band. I can’t complain at all."
She has a point.
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