A former X Factor hopeful has shown off her dramatic 16 stone weight loss in pictures posted on Instagram.
Emma Chawner’s amazing transformation comes 17 years after her appearance on the show.
Described as “one of the most unforgettable contestants”, Emma was met with harsh rejection from judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh when she first auditioned in 2007.
Her angry family stormed the audition room to confront the judges after Emma ran out crying.
She returned two years later, this time performing alongside her sister Samantha.
Emma received another four no’s from the panel, with Cheryl Tweedy telling her: “Emma, I have to say, you’re definitely more confident when you’ve got your sister with you. But nothing else has really improved unfortunately.”
Before shedding the weight, Emma said her larger size was due to her genetic makeup, stating, “It’s not because of what I’ve eaten. It’s because of the genes in my family. Mum’s big, dad’s big, my sister’s big. No-one’s thin in our house.”
After her singing aspirations were put on hold, Emma and her family participated in Lorraine Kelly’s Big Fat Challenge, a weight loss initiative.
She opened up to Lorraine, who had once offered assistance to her family in their weight loss efforts, revealing that the catalyst for her journey was the death of her dog and the emotional toll of her parents’ separation.
Tragically, Emma’s mother passed away at 73 this January.
During her conversation with Lorraine, Emma emphasized her self-motivation: “No one’s pushed me to do it, I’ve done it all myself. I was always out of breath and diabetic.”
Emma continued to shed pounds after the show, attributing her success to a 30-day detox and adopting healthy habits such as avoiding snacking and drinking plenty of fluids.
Five years down the line, and she’s dropped an unbelievable 16 stone four pounds.
The 35-year-old said: “I’m still losing it but very slow now.
“I’m happy with how I am and it’s not far to go.”
The Mirror reports fans were quick to praise Emma for her new look. One said: “Fantastic, you look amazing,” and another added: “You look so beautiful and pretty! Please remember weight can not be defined by age, weight, or gender. Your beauty has always shined through! I’m glad to see you! Bless you love!”
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