Fromer X Factor star Katie Waissell, 33, reveals she learnt about finances the hard way after being taken advantage of
I'm a lot more careful now
Ex-lovers and dodgy accountants have ripped me off multiple times. I think it’s incredibly important to educate yourself on finances and things like tax returns. When I was younger, I was naïve with my money, especially after I left X Factor.
I put my trust in people who took advantage of it and decided to treat themselves to a little extra when handling my finances. Let’s just say, I’m a lot more careful now.
I have tarted up furniture left on the street
When I lived in Los Angeles, litter-picking was common – where people would leave out their unwanted bits of furniture on the pavement for others to take.
![Katie Waissel and baby](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5cd5/59a7/8bba/af17/c092/d8ce/katie-baby-resized.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
I found some of the most incredible things left on the curb – from signed Barbara Streisand records, to original Ninja Turtles comics. I’d also collect unwanted furniture, like coffee tables and bed frames, and sand them down and bring them back to life.
NYC was expensive
The rent in New York is through the roof! You’re looking at $3,750-$4,200 (£2,900 – £3,250) a month to rent a one-bed apartment, and that’s before you’ve paid any bills. I am so happy to be back home in London now – it isn’t cheap, but it’s more affordable than NYC.
CHECK OUT the best and most shocking X Factor transformation
X Factor: The most shocking contestant transformations - SLIDER
![LEON JACKSON](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/_factor-transformations-leon-jackson.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 COCOZZA](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/_factor-transformations-frankie-cocozza.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 QUINN](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/x-factor-transformations-ray-quinn.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 QUIGG](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/x-factor-transformations-eoghan-quigg.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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.
![RHYDIAN ROBERTS](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/x-factor-transformations-rhydian-roberts.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Rhydian Roberts
Remember Rhydian Roberts, who came runner-up on the 2007 series of The X Factor? Well the classical crooner has shown off a completely different look on Twitter, and we almost didn't recognise him! Rhydian, 32, has clearly been spending A LOT of time at the gym, and proudly showed off his new beefed up physique. Alongside the saucy snaps, Rhydian sent a cheeky message to a fan. He wrote: "Hey Ga! Took it off for you. Now will you stop asking me to get naked for you!?? Hope you're satisfied ." Read more about his transformation here.
![CHRISTOPHER MALONEY](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/_factor-transformations-crhis-maloney.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 MAFIA](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/x-factor-transformations-chloe-mafia.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 DOUGLAS](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/x-factor-transformations-jahmene.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 PINNOCK](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/_factor-transformations-leigh-anne-pinnock.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 BAILEY](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/sam-bailey-factor-transformations.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 LLOYD](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/_factor-transformations-cher-lloyd.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 SHELLEY](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/_factor-transformations-george-shelley.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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?
![JEDWARD](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/573c506230a19aec55a55735/jedward-factor-transformations.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 Wassel](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5cd5/58a7/8bba/af17/c092/d8b3/Katie-Waissel-before-after.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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 Chawner](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d37/140d/6933/03c8/e9d4/e79e/emma-chawner.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
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!"
![Closer magazine cover](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5cd5/5a39/8bba/af17/c092/d8f3/Screen%20Shot%202019-05-07%20at%204.12.57%20PM.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
I spend most of my money on my son Hudson
After my mortgage and bills, nothing gives me greater pleasure than buying my 10-month-old son toys and new clothes.
Hudson [whose father is Katie’s ex, Andy Speer] grows so quickly, his clothes have to be updated every few months. I love H&M and Next Baby, and when he’s grown out of things I’ll donate them to the children’s hospice charity shop. Hudson definitely has more clothes than me – I’m still living in my maternity leggings!
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I'd have a mummy makeover if I won the lottery
Since having Hudson, my stomach and boobs are not what they used to be and I have lines on my face. So if I won the Lottery, I’d love to have a little bit of Botox, a tummy treatment to tighten the loose skin, laser hair removal and a laser facial to remove the melasma on my face that I got during pregnancy.
I wouldn’t get my boobs done though, in case I have another baby. Aside from that, I’d also spend the money on giving to charity and buying a home mortgage-free.
I bought a car on a total whim
After the X Factor in 2010, I went out and bought a new car without doing any research; I just picked something that looked nice. I bought a Mini Cooper convertible. It cost £40,000, and I wish someone had told me not to buy it because it was so expensive.
Read the full story in this week's Closer magazine, out now!