Ryan Lawrie

Biography

Born in Bellshill and raised in Coatbridge. Lawrie started his musical career posting covers on YouTube before being signed to Tutrax Records. Ryans first single "You're Free" was released in 2013, and rose into the UK iTunes charts at number 39. Lawrie later joined UK boyband Exposure, who completed two UK tours. Lawrie left Exposure to continue as a solo artist.

In 2016, Lawrie auditioned for The X Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh. He received three yes votes and progressed to the boot camp stage of the competition. He was eliminated at boot camp, before returning as part of an unnamed boyband. After they did not make it through the six chair challenge, Lawrie was reinstated as a wildcard and won a place in the live shows as part of the final 12 contestants.

Since March 2016, Lawrie is dating fellow finalist Emily Middlemas.

2013: "You're Free"

On 28 March 2013, Lawrie released his debut single titled "You're Free" which was devoted to a terminally ill fan who had asked him to write a song. Due to exams, he was unable to write and record the song until after the fan had died. The song was released in memory of the young fan with all proceedings being donated to Yorkhill Children's Hospital, and the song peaking at number 39 in the iTunes UK singles chart.

2016–present: "If Only" and The X Factor

During 2016, Lawrie released his second single "If Only". Although it did not make an impact on the iTunes singles chart, it earned him recognition as a Vodafone "Future Breaker", winning a vote to perform at the Capital FM Summertime Ball, where he performed a cover of "Stitches" by Shawn Mendes.

Lawrie auditioned for the thirteenth series of The X Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh (fourth judge Sharon Osbourne was absent). He performed "Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)" by The Vamps featuring Shawn Mendes, and received three yeses to progress to the boot camp stage. The audition was aired on ITV on Saturday 27 August 2016, during episode 1. During boot camp, Lawrie was put into a group to sing "Little Things" alongside Melissa Pedro and Freddy Parker, and whilst they all progressed through the first stage, Lawrie was sent home at the second stage.

Lawrie was later put together as part of a boyband alongside Ed Goacher, Jamie Miller, Josh Marshfield and Talis Eros, and the unnamed boyband took part in the six chair challenge stage of The X Factor. They performed "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", and did not progress, as Cowell felt he had made a mistake by not sending Lawrie through as a solo artist. He was announced on The Xtra Factor as the wildcard act for the boys category and would be progressing to judges' houses, to be mentored by Scherzinger. Lawrie performed "You Make My Dreams" in front of Scherzinger and guest judge Calvin Harris during judges' houses, and made it to the final 3 boys, taking part in the live shows. On 6 November 2016, Lawrie was confirmed to be taking part on The X Factor Live Tour 2017 alongside the rest of the final 8 in the contest, playing at venues around the UK in February and March 2017 including The O2 Arena. Lawrie was eliminated on the seventh week of the live shows, in a tense sing off with rapper Honey G, with the judges opting to send Lawrie home. Lawrie finished in sixth place. Many viewers saw this elimination as controversial as Honey G was labeled the "entertainment act" with a debatable rapping ability.