X Factor Star Mary Byrne Looks Unrecognisable After 15 Years, Embraces New Roles
Fifteen years post-X Factor, Mary Byrne has undergone quite the transformation. The 65-year-old Irish singer, who first captivated audiences on the reality show back in 2010, is now nearly unrecognisable, sporting a chic white-blonde cropped hairstyle instead of her signature brunette locks. Once affectionately known as 'Tesco Mary' for her background working at the supermarket, she now shines not only as a singer but also as an accomplished podcaster and performer.
Mary garnered attention on X Factor, leaving judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl, and Katy Perry impressed with her powerful rendition of Tom Jones's 'I Who Have Nothing.' Finishing fifth, Mary stood out during the season home to One Direction's formation and the victory of Matt Cardle, who eventually took the crown.
Fast forward to today, and Mary is embracing new challenges. Recently, she launched The Wise Owl Wans Podcast with Irish writer and actress Eilish O'Carroll, 72. The podcast celebrates the lives and experiences of two legendary Irish figures, offering listeners candid chats about love, life, and family.
Mary has also stepped back onto the stage as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at the Liberty Panto in Dublin. Sporting vibrant pink hair and donning luxurious costumes, she feels at home performing for audiences once again, fully immersed in her character as she poses for promotional images.
But Mary hasn't only danced between gigs. She has been busy touring Ireland with her one-woman show Check Me Out, which is filled with songs and personal anecdotes and showcases her rich storytelling abilities. This repertoire highlights her talents honed over the years, including her previous performances alongside industry icons on Mediterranean cruises, including Sir Cliff Richard.
The past weeks have been particularly poignant for Mary, as she paid tribute to her X Factor fellow contestant Liam Payne, who tragically passed away recently. She confessed to struggling with coming to terms with his untimely death, reminiscing about their last conversation back in 2018 when he shared insights about his life amid fame. “I wouldn’t say fame wasn’t for him, but they went far too big, far too quick; they literally burned out after five years,” Mary shared, reflecting on the heavy toll of celebrity status.
Mary recalled Liam speaking candidly about the challenges of life on the road amid constant fanfare, saying, “He said, ‘I am loving it, it is brilliant,’ but he said, ‘It is hard and it is not what I expected.’” Her maternal pride for Liam and others like him shone through as she reiterated her feelings of being like “the Mammy figure” among contestants.
Her experiences on X Factor have prompted considerable changes within herself, too. Mary has undergone significant weight loss since her debut on the show, shrinking from 21 stone at the time to 15 stone now. Reflecting on her transformation, she remarked, “I looked at the pictures of me on the show and me now, and I honestly was shocked.” Her weight loss—reported at six stone—came gradually but equated to her shedding “half a person,” she noted. Despite these changes, Mary remains humble about her success and continues to express gratitude for her platform.
Mary recently opened up about her personality, explaining her complex relationship with performing. “I always say it’s not Mary Byrne on stage; it’s the character I portray. It’s the other woman inside me,” she explained. Struggling with shyness, she views the stage as her sanctuary, embracing the persona she adopts to engage with audiences. “Even when I was at Tesco, I was still acting, singing to customers, and laughing with them,” she reflected. The stage grants her the liberation to express herself, combating the insecurities she shared.
The pandemic marked hard times for many, including Mary, who claims to be “a much happier person” now compared to her past self. Although she acknowledges the challenges faced during isolation, she recognizes a commitment to her craft and the joy she finds performing live. “I think we are all actors,” she remarked, echoing her sentiments of face-value resilience.
Now, as Mary Byrne steps forward, she balances nostalgia and growth with every performance, podcast recording, and tribute she shares. Her multifaceted career reflects not just her remarkable talent but also her enduring spirit, one that's transformed with the passage of time and experiences. With fond memories of Liam and her X Factor days, as well as new adventures beckoning, Mary hasn't merely survived; she's flourished, leaving audiences excited about what’s to come next.