Pop Idol star Rosie Ribbons looks unrecognisable 21 years after bringing judge Pete Waterman to tears

POP Idol finalist Rosie Ribbons moved the judging panel to tears with her rendition of Mariah Carey hit Hero in 2001.

The singer was a fresh-faced teen when she performed for the judges – including show favourite Pete Waterman – but now looks totally different more than two decades on.



Pop Idol star Rosie Ribbons looks unrecognisable 21 years after bringing judge Pete Waterman to tears
Rosie rose to fame on the first ever series of Pop Idol in 2001

Pop Idol star Rosie Ribbons looks unrecognisable 21 years after bringing judge Pete Waterman to tears
Rosie looks all grown up 21 years after the show

Rosie, 39, featured in the same series as iconic Pop Idol winner Will Young and wound up in 6th place after weeks of competition.

The then-supermarket worker auditioned in front of judges Simon Cowell, Nicki Chapman, Neil Fox and Pete Waterman in the first series of the iconic show.

Performing her own song Colours, she went on to sing Mariah Carey hit Hero after being prompted by Simon, 62, to pick a more familiar tune.

Her rendition of the song moved record producer Pete, 75, to tears – and Rosie was immediately voted through to the top 50 contestants.

She went on to win her heat by a landslide vote after performing Bryan Adam’s Everything I Do, pipping her as the favourite to win.

However, she was voted out of the competition in 6th place just a matter of weeks before Leave Right Now singer Will, 43, was crowned winner.

Despite not winning the show, Rosie reportedly signed a £1million deal with Telstar Records, and supported hit band Liberty X on tour.

She went on to release two singles – titled Blink and A Little Bit – which both reached the Top 20 in the UK charts.

In 2012, she featured as a vocalist on ALONESTAR’s EP Warrior, which also featured his cousin – Brit Award winner Ed Sheeran.

Fans will likely remember Rosie first appearing as a fresh-faced youngster on the programme, with her short blonde locks tied back.

The then nervous teen is now all grown up, and despite keeping her signature tresses, looks almost unrecognisable from her audition.

Rosie isn’t the only Pop Idol star to have shocked fans by their changing visage – as Korben Nibblet has been seen looking all grown up.

Korben’s attempts after the competition to secure a pop career soon ended after he failed to land a record deal.

Turning his back on singing, Korben – real name Chris – began carving out a career for himself in the beauty industry.

Pictures and videos on his social media profile see him out and about in New York – where he appears to have made his home – plus time in California, Barcelona and visits to London.



Pop Idol star Rosie Ribbons looks unrecognisable 21 years after bringing judge Pete Waterman to tears
The star signed a £1million record deal after she left the show

Pop Idol star Rosie Ribbons looks unrecognisable 21 years after bringing judge Pete Waterman to tears
Rosie made Pop Idol favourite Pete Waterman, second from right, cry in her audition