caption associated_acts years_active birth_place label image_size name background birth_date instrument genre image article_title birth_name occupation
ferguson performing in milan , italy in 2012 '' the x factor '' finalists 2010 2010 -- present liverpool , england syco rca epic columbia 250px rebecca ferguson solo_singer 21 july 1986 vocals soul pop blues r & b jazz rebecca ferguson milan italy.jpg rebecca ferguson
 rebecca caroline ferguson singer songwriter
rebecca ferguson

rebecca caroline ferguson -lrb- born 21 july 1986 -rrb- is a british singer and songwriter .
she came to prominence in 2010 when she became the runner-up of the seventh series of `` the x factor '' , losing to the winner that year , matt cardle .
she subsequently signed a joint record deal with syco music and epic records in the uk .
she later signed in the united states to columbia records .
ferguson 's debut album , `` heaven '' , was released in december 2011 to commercial and critical success , peaking at number 3 in the united kingdom .
co-written by ferguson , it was certified two times platinum in the uk and platinum ireland .
the album yielded six singles including lead single `` nothing 's real but love '' , which enjoyed commercial success throughout much of europe and oceania , entering the uk singles chart at number 10 .
a deluxe version of the album included the single `` backtrack '' , which entered the charts in october 2012 at number 15 , giving ferguson her second top 20 hit .
ferguson 's second studio album , `` freedom '' , was released in december 2013 , being met with positive reviews from critics and commercial success in the united kingdom where it charted at number 6 and has since been certified gold by the bpi .
the album 's lead single , `` i hope '' , peaked at number 15 in the uk ; whilst `` light on '' was released as the lead single in mainland europe .
she cites aretha franklin , kings of leon , christina aguilera and amy winehouse among her influences .
she has endorsements with nescafé and walkers .
in 2012 , she was nominated for two mobo awards and one mtv europe music award .
