Katie Waissel opens up on looking for love after 2 stone weight loss

Katie Waissel

by Neeru Sharma |
Updated on

She’s had a turbulent year, which saw her return home to the UK from America in a bid to start life as a single mum. But now Katie Waissel admits she’s ready to put the hardest period of her life behind her as she looks forward to the future. The star –who is mum to 15-month-old Hudson – split from her baby’s father, Andy Speer, months before giving birth. But despite the setbacks, she admits she’s feeling stronger than ever.

Katie, 33, tells Closer, “It’s been a tough year for me, but I’m proud I’ve got through it. I was in a dark place emotionally, I lost a few people in my family and, when I landed back in the UK last December, I found out my ex-partner was in a new relationship.

“It was a lot to contend with, but time has been the biggest healer. I’m beyond excited about next year, and this Christmas is all about Hudson. He’s older now and will actually get to enjoy it. I can’t wait to watch him run around among all the twinkly lights and presents.”

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Katie Waissel ©Closer mag

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While she’s optimistic about 2020, the star, who found fame on The X Factor ten years ago, admits it has been challenging coping with the collapse of her relationship and raising a child alone. She candidly explains, “For a while, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I hardly knew anyone in the UK after being away for seven years, Hudson was a terrible sleeper, and I was just in floods of tears every night – it was incredibly overwhelming. Christmas was especially hard because it’s all about family, yet my family had just broken up. I just wanted someone to ask, ‘Are you okay?’

“I had to change my outlook on something so soul-destroying and realise that whether I laughed or cried, nothing would change. So, rather than wallow, I had to carry on for the sake of Hudson. I went through the motions and let myself heal.”

The size 8 star has been through a physical transformation, too, dropping two dress sizes.She reveals, “Eating better and getting into fitness was the best decision I made. I feel mentally and physically stronger, and it helped me cope with everything. I look back at 2019 as the rebirth of myself.”

CHECK OUT X Factor: The most shocking contestant transformations

Gallery

X Factor: The most shocking contestant transformations - STACKED

LEON JACKSON1 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Leon Jackson

This spiky-haired teen won X Factor waaaaay back in 2007, scoring a Christmas number one with a cover of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey's When You Believe. And, while there's no denying that he was cute, the X Factor champion was definitely a bit too baby-faced for us to lust over properly. But, nowadays, he's looking VERY sexy indeed, after switching up everything from his hairstyle to his workout regime at the gym. He definitely looks good on it, doesn't he? Read more about Leon jackson's comeback career here.

FRANKIE COCOZZA2 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Frankie Cocozza

When Frankie Cocozza joined The X Factor back in 2011, he was a scruffy 18-year-old with birds nest hair and a LOT of eye makeup. Nowadays he looks far more mature and (dare we say it?) mega hot, sporting a wee bit of stubble and curl mousse in favour of his velvet jackets of old. We love his new look - how about you? Read more about his transformation here.

RAY QUINN3 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Ray Quinn

The X Factor star first burst into our lives as a sweet and fresh-faced teenager from Liverpool, starring as tormented child Anthony Murray in the Channel 4 soap opera, Brookside. When he was 18-years-old, he auditioned for The X Factor and survived right up until the show's final, where he lost out to Leona Lewis. Since then, we've seen him appear in Dancing On Ice and in several West End musicals - but, when he was dismissed from his record label in November 2007, he fell off the radar a little bit. Now he's back - and he's DEFINITELY become a fan of lifting weights, hasn't he? Read more about his transformation here.

EOGHAN QUIGG4 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Eoghan Quigg

Eoghan was just 16-year-old when he shot to fame in the ITV competition in 2008, and made it all the way to the final where he finished in third place. He landed a record deal after the show, but was sadly dropped when his debut single limped in at number 96 on the Official UK Singles Chart. Since then, Eoghan has turned his back on music – and instead has made a bit of a name for himself in Irish football. And he looks completely different, doesn't he? Read more about his transformation here.

CHRISTOPHER MALONEY5 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Chris Maloney

X Factor's Christopher Maloney has shocked fans after revealing he spent £60,000 on cosmetic surgery following a nervous breakdown. After coming third in the talent show back in 2012, the 37-year-old fell into a deep depression which made even getting out of bed a struggle. Since leaving the show, Christopher has undergone three hair transplants, an eye lift and two nose jobs. He has also had teeth veneers. He told The Mirror: "I feel so much happier for it." Read more about his transformation here.

CHLOE MAFIA6 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Chloe Mafia

Remember when Chloe Mafia auditioned for The X Factor in 2010? Well, it seems like rejection from the show has done her no harm, as the Wakefield lass looks unrecognisable these days. In fact, Chloe - now known as Chloe Khan - is now a MILLIONAIRE and living a life of luxury overseas. She said: "My lifestyle is pretty incredible now – it's mansions and private jets and everything else that I could only imagine when I was younger." The money allowed her to completely reinvent herself with cosmetic surgery and designer clothes - and she's confessed to a boob job or two, as well as rhinoplasty. Read more about her transformation here.

JAHMENE DOUGLAS7 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Jahmene Douglas

The shy and retiring singer shot to fame, thanks to his modest nature and sweet-as-an-angel voice, back on The X Factor in 2012. He finished in second place, and has since gone on to find success as a singer; in fact, his second album (which features collaborations with the likes of Diane Warren) is currently in the works. But Nicole Scherzinger's protégé hasn't just been working on his music; he's also been working on his look, too. Think makeup and VERY well manicured eyebrows - we're jealous. To critics of his new look, he said simply: "Any judgement of beauty will always be an opinion." Read more about his transformation here.

LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK8 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / WENN

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

One of the biggest X Factor success stories, Leigh-Anne Pinnock is now 1/4 of Little Mix - but she's just as prone to a makeover as her fellow former X Factor contestants. The songstress recently went and dyed her dark locks a bright shade of blonde - and she looked incredible! Read more about her transformation here.

SAM BAILEY9 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / Rex Features

Sam Bailey

The mum-of-three burst into our lives as the prison guard with a very powerful voice - and we thought she looked beautiful. But there's no denying that the X Factor winner looks absolutely phenomenal nowadays, sporting a much more polished look.

CHER LLOYD10 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / Rex Features

Cher Lloyd

Cher surprised us all when she burst out into R'n'B song Turn My Swag On back in 2010 - but she's ditched her rapper style for a far more polished look nowadays. In fact, Cher looks a LOT like her X Factor mentor, Cheryl Cole, nowadays, doesn't she?

GEORGE SHELLEY11 of 14
CREDIT: Instagram / Rex Features

George Shelley

George first appeared as a baby-face solo artist when he auditioned with Britney Spears's Toxic back in 2012. Now in his 20s, he looks VERY different - with many labelling the Union J as the ULTIMATE man candy. Thoughts?

JEDWARD12 of 14
CREDIT: Rex Features

Jedward

John and Edward Grimes were the X Factor twins with BOUNDS of energy and gravity defying uairsylts. Nowadays, however, they are all grown up now and they look pretty different from their days on the hit ITV talent show. They're still making music, sure, but they're sporting a much more grown up 'do - and we kinda love it. Way to go, Jedward!

Katie Wassel13 of 14
CREDIT: Getty/Instagram

Katie Waissel

Not only has she ditched her tired looking bleach blonde looks, Katie Waissel has gone full on mummy mode, toning down her trademark indie rocker look in favour of relaxed leisurewear and a make-up free face.

Emma Chawner14 of 14
CREDIT: ITV/Liz Gregg

Emma Chawner

Emma first auditioned for X Factor in 2007 to scathing responses from Simon, before getting back up on the X Factor stage with her sister, Sam, a few years later. Now she's dropped an incredible 12 stone and exclusively told Closer magazine, "I'd love Simon to see me now – he wouldn't recognize me!"

But despite facing heartbreak, the former CBB star remains hopeful about finding love again. She says, “Would I love to find someone who would take on Hudson, my dog Norman and me? Absolutely! I can’t remember the last time I kissed somebody, so if there’s a fittie who wants to give me a quick snog under some mistletoe, I’ll be happy with that!”

It would take “someone special” to sweep her off her feet, though. She adds, “I’m in no immediate rush to go on dating apps. I don’t mind being introduced to people but I’d like it to happen organically. There would have to be a solid individual for me to give my all to, but I’m up for it.’

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Read more in this week's Closer magazine, out now! ©Closer magazine

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Meanwhile, after spending the last seven years rubbing shoulders with the likes of One Direction and Rita Ora in LA and New York, Katie’s excited to have a traditional Christmas at home.

She says, “Nothing beats a British Christmas. It was very odd to be sitting somewhere warm with a blow-up Santa.”

However, she admits she’ll never forget the many memorable celebrities she encountered in the States. She adds, “One December, I was in a posh hotel bar when someone with a British accent shouted, ‘Katie, come here!’ I turned around and it was bloody David Beckham! I couldn’t believe my eyes as we’d never met before. I went and joined him, along with Robbie Keane and other pals. I asked him how Victoria and his kids were, and it was the most bizarre situation. The US was a huge chapter in my life, but I’m much happier to be home.”

Read more in this week's Closer magazine, out now!

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