Anyone who wins The X-Factor has to have built up a level of popularity, as it is through fan votes that the singers are able to remain in the competition, and ultimately win it. However, while some of the winners may have proven popular with their singing, that doesn't always translate to people wanting to know more about their life on social media.
The winners of the show have been varied over the years, from groups to solo acts, and while not every winner is actually on Instagram, plenty of them now use the social media platform to keep engaging with their audience. But out of all the previous X-Factor winners, who is the most popular on Instagram?
Matt Cardle (29k Followers)
Matt Cardle won The X-Factor in 2010, managing to beat One Direction that year (who have gone on to be one of the greatest acts in the history of the show). While Cardle hasn't been involved in the charts as much, he has proven to be a success in his own right, and his Instagram is one that his fans love to follow.
Matt shares a lot of images and updates on his life, which is something that makes him fun to follow. Whether it's updates on his shows or music he's working on, or fun pictures with his dog, Matt is always providing great content.
Sam Bailey (70.1k Followers)
Sam Bailey has a very wholesome Instagram feed, sharing a lot of pictures and videos of her life and her family, which makes her account a joy to follow. She shares a lot of updates on what is going on with her life, which makes the account engaging as she comes across as a very relatable person.
Sam has done well since finishing up with The X-Factor, and a big part of her career has been in musical theater. She has been involved in some huge shows and that is something that comes across within her Instagram as well.
Dalton Harris (193k Followers)
Dalton Harris was the final ever winner of The X-Factor, having been victorious in the final season of the show back in 2018. His performances were brilliant that year, and he quickly won over the fans in order to get the victory. He's clearly built up a good fanbase for himself too, based on how many followers he has.
Instagram is clearly a big thing for him, as Dalton posts a lot of content on there which ranges from selfies and throwbacks to his time on the show, as well as videos from his singing career.
Ben Haenow (259k Followers)
Ben Haenow often showcases images of himself playing music as well as what he is doing on his journey away from music as well. It is a perfect account for fans of Ben, as it brings an overview into everything he does, with some exciting and interesting images.
Since the show, Ben has had two albums released as he continues to develop his career and life after the reality series. While he's not been the biggest name in terms of record sales in comparison to some, his Instagram does hold up as one of the most popular.
Matt Terry (265k Followers)
Matt Terry's Instagram account is one that blends his singing career with his personal life perfectly, making it a strong feed for fans of the show to check out. He often posts videos of himself singing, as well as images of his touring or behind-the-scenes shots from what he's doing with his career.
However, there's also plenty of modeling shots, images from his travels, and his personal life which round out the account nicely. Rather than just relying on his music to bring in the followers, he keeps people updated, especially through his stories.
Rak-Su (291k Followers)
Rak-Su won the show in 2017 and the group proved to be true fan favorites at the time with their charm and personality really pushing through. This is one of the reasons they won the show and is also a reason that they have had such a following on social media.
The Instagram account is a vibrant one that is filled with creativity, whether it be fun videos or different images from their tours. The account is exciting, which is why it's one that fans should check out.
Shayne Ward (307k Followers)
Shayne Ward was the winner of season two, being one of the early success stories from the reality show. He has had a great career since then, both in the music industry and outside of that, with his work in acting taking his career on a different path.
Shayne's Instagram is filled with images of his family, with the life that he leads being highlighted a lot. However, one of the main reasons that he's so popular on social media is because of the live videos that he does, giving his fans a chance to speak with him and learn about him on a more personal level.
Leona Lewis (687k Followers)
Leona Lewis has been one of the greatest acts to have ever come from The X Factor, proving herself to be a consistent and fantastic singer. She's a consistent post-user on Instagram, which is one of the reasons she has so many followers.
Her account is a lot of fun to follow as well, with Leona often sharing details of her life, both in and out of the music industry. She often shows a lot of images and videos about her personal life, giving a glimpse at what she's really like outside of her performances.
James Arthur (2.1 Million Followers)
James Arthur has had a fantastic career since winning The X-Factor, having released three albums. This has led to him gaining a great fanbase which is showcased with his Instagram, and he goes above and beyond to connect with them.
On Instagram, James posts a lot of content to keep in touch with his fans, sharing images and videos from his tours and of his life. Plus, James Arthur often puts covers and songs for his fans to enjoy too.
Little Mix (13.8 Million Followers)
The most popular winners of The X Factor on Instagram are Little Mix, who have an incredible 13.8 million followers on the social media platform. The group has been successful in both the UK and around the world, becoming empowering role models for all.
They won season eight of the show back in 2011, and since then, they have only gone on to release six albums, touring the world on Instagram. They often upload videos and pictures from their shows or backstage moments, allowing fans to get to know them even more.