X Factor's Louisa Johnson reveals weight plummeted to seven stone

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Louisa Johnson, 17, from Thurrock, Essex, is tipped to win X Factor
Her big voice and confident stage presence have wowed judges
But a year ago she was 'really low' because of stress and wasn't eating
Struggled to fit in at school as she always knew she wanted to perform
See more of the latest on Louisa Johnson and other X Factor stars

Published: 12:41 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 13:37 EST, 22 November 2015

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She's wowed audiences with her huge voice and assured performances in the live shows.

But X Factor favourite Louisa Johnson, 17, from Thurrock, Essex, admits that a just a year ago, her confidence was in tatters as her weight plummeted to seven stone from stress.

Describing the periods as one of 'the hardest times of my life', she told Fabulous magazine: 'I was really low. I wasn't eating properly, I got really, really skinny.

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Louisa Johnson, 17, from Thurrock, Essex is the favourite to win X Factor after a slew of assured performances. But the hopeful admits that just a year ago she was at rock bottom when stress caused her weight to plummet to seven stone

Her passionate performances portray a confidence beyond her years

'I was about seven stone and I had no shape. I was stressed and confused. You wouldn't even recognise me.'

Opening up about her dramatic weight loss, Louisa says her problems were caused by stress over being pushed to perform academically at school when her goal was to be a performer.

And things only got worse when she went to a sixth form college to study business, aged 16.

'I never belonged there,' she explains. 'It wasn't the people. I just didn't want to be told what to do or who to be - I've known who I want to be my whole life.'

The teenager finally quit her course and enrolled at a performing arts college, where she instantly felt more at ease.

'I went running all the time and started eating properly and everything was cool,' she says. 'I'm here and I'm happy.'

The hopeful clung tightly to mentor Rita Ora as she waited to hear if she'd survived elimination

The girls couldn't hide their delight as Louisa learned she was through to next week's live show. She's hotly tipped to win the contest and even has the backing of Cheryl Fernandez-Versini who is mentoring the groups

Things could be set to get even better for the teenager as she's already hotly tipped as this year's winner.

Although Rita Ora is her mentor, she also has the backing of Cheryl Fernandez-Versini who has heaped her with praise, despite being in a rival category.

And Louisa reveals that she's impressed the Geordie star so much that she's given her a very generous present.

At the live judges' houses Louisa was wearing a sparkly pink top and Cheryl said she had something similar which she would bring in for her.

Two days later she arrived at the house with a matching sparkly pink skirt and jumper.

After kicking off her shoes and performing barefoot, Louisa's rendition of James Bay's Let It Go won all round praise from the judges. Simon Cowell said it was 'stunning' while Cheryl and Nick Grimshaw were impressed by the way she filled the song with heartfelt emotion

Louisa was all smiles as she left the X Factor studious and braved the freezing temperatures in a silver crop top and distressed metallic jeans. She admits that a year ago she was unrecognisable because of her weight loss, but has regained her shape with running and a sensible diet

'It was Alexander Wang,' Louisa reveals. 'I was so, so shocked. I've not worn it yet. I'll save it for something nice.'

Last night, Louisa impressed Cheryl and her fellow judges yet again with her rendition of James Bay's Let It Go.

Taking to the stage in white criss-cross crop top with chain detail and flowing trousers, she chose a similar outfit to mentor Rita Ora who was wearing a white trouser suit.

Simon described her performance as 'stunning', saying: 'You’re very sweet and humble, and you could be a monster.'

Meanwhile Cheryl praised her for filling the song with emotion.

Her love of pink sparkly outfits prompted Cheryl to present the delighted singer with a skirt and jumper from Alexander Wang

The judges started bickering over who would get to mentor Louisa as as she performed Michael Jackson’s Who’s Loving You at her first audition

'It’s unbelievable that you can create those feelings,' she said.

Nick Grimshaw agreed,: 'That was your best performance to date.

'I don’t think the impressive thing is your voice, but I think what is impressive at 17 is to tell a story and convey that emotion.

The show saw Mason Noise eliminated from X Factor in a surprising flash vote.

The wannabe found himself in the bottom three alongside Anton Stephens and 4th Impact and was sent home after it was revealed he'd received the fewest number of public votes