Little Mix - Maria's part

Little Mix are a British four-piece girl group formed in 2011, consisting of members Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall. They were formed exclusively for the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011, and became the first group to win the competition. Following their victory, they signed with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Records.  

The X FACTOR

Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson successfully auditioned as soloists for the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011, but failed to make it past bootcamp's first challenge. However, the judges decided to give them another chance to be part of the Groups category. They were then put into separate ensembles by the judges during the group's bootcamp stage, with Edwards and Nelson in four-member group Faux Pas and Thirlwall and Pinnock in three-member group Orion. However, both groups failed to make it through to the judges' houses. A later decision saw two members from each group being called back to form the four-piece group Rhythmix, this sending them through to the judges' houses.

First auditions as soloists:

Judges Houses audition:

On 28 October 2011, it was announced that the group's new name would be "Little Mix". On 20 November 2011, Little Mix became the first girl group in the show's eight-year history to progress past the seventh live show.

On 11 December, Little Mix were announced as the winners, making them the first ever group to win the show. Their winner's single was a cover of Damien Rice's song "Cannonball", which was released via digital download on 11 December 2011, and on CD on 14 December 2011.

Little Mix the winners!

Cover of Damien Rice's song "Cannonball"

Songs that Little Mix sang at The X Factor:

As Rythmix:

- Super Bass (Nicki Minaj)

- I'm Like a Bird (Nelly Furtado)

- Tik Tok / Push It (Ke$ha / Salt-n-Pepa)

As Little Mix:

-E.T. (Katy Perry)

- Don't Stop the Music (Rihanna)

- Telephone/Radio Ga Ga (Lady Gaga / Queen)

- Don't Let Go (Love) (En Vogue)

- Baby / Where Did Our Love Go (Justin Bieber / The Supremes)

- Beautiful (Christina Aguilera)

 - You Keep Me Hangin' On (The Supremes)

- If I Were a Boy (Beyonce)

- You've Got the Love (Florence and The Machine)

- If I Ain't Got You / Empire State of Mind  (with Tulisa Contostavlos) (Alicia Keys)

- Don't Let Go (Love) (En Vogue)

- Cannonball  (Damien Rice)

Members:

Perrie Edwards

Perrie Edwards, born 10 July 1993 (age 20), was born and raised in South Shields, Tyne and Wear to parents Alexander Edwards and Deborah Duffy. Edwards has an older brother named Jonnie. Her first audition was "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette. She has been engaged to One Direction member Zayn Malik since August 2013.

Jesy Nelson

Jesy Nelson, born 14 June 1991 (age 22), was born and raised in Romford, London to parents John Nelson and Janice White. She has an older sister named Jade and two brothers named Joseph and Jonathan. Her first audition was "Bust Your Windows" by Jazmine Sullivan. Since joining Little Mix, she has faced cyber-bullying and struggled to cope during her time on The X Factor.Prior to The X Factor, Nelson worked as a barmaid.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Leigh-Anne Pinnock, born 4 October 1991 (age 22), was born and raised in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire along with her two sisters, Sarah and Sian-Louise. Pinnock of Barbadian and Jamaican Ancestry.Before joining Little Mix, she worked as a waitress in Pizza Hut. Her first audition was "Only Girl (In the World)" by Rihanna. Pinnock is currently dating non-league footballer Jordan Kiffin.

Jade Thirlwall

Jade Thirlwall was born on December 26, 1992 (21 years) in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. She previously auditioned for The X Factor during series 5 (2008) and series 7 (2010). Her first audition (2011) was "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles. Her musical influences are Beyoncé Knowles and Cheryl Cole.