The X-Factor has launched careers of music superstars like One Direction and Little Mix, making a significant impact on the industry. Some winners like Sam Bailey and Alexandra Burke have achieved massive success post-show, proving their talent and hard work. Despite not winning, artists like James Arthur and Olly Murs have built successful music careers, showcasing the benefit of appearing on the show.

The X-Factor is coming back, leading to a reflection on the biggest successes of the reality TV series. Simon Cowell announced The X-Factor would return to the U.S. after a ten-year hiatus, and with it, new music careers will be launched on one of the hit reality TV series of yore. Whether past contestants won the show or not, the show has been the launching pad for some of the biggest names in pop music, from One Direction to Little Mix, and the show has had...