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Sam firms as X Factor winner

Samantha Jade has won hearts as The X Factor hopeful with the big voice, friendly demeanour and never-give-up attitude, but the grand finalist reveals just how close she was to quitting music for good before auditioning for the Seven show.

As a teen the Morley-raised songstress ventured to Los Angeles to chase her pop star dreams, scoring a record deal with US label Jive at the age of 16 and collaborating with renowned producers such as Timbaland and David Guetta.

However, her repeated attempts at the big time failed to stick and Jade returned home last year ready to turn her back on the industry.

"I had lost a lot of my confidence," Jade, now 25, says.

"I was going to give up music, I was working with my dad in a factory and I wasn't singing anymore - I wasn't even singing around the house.

"I had really given up because I thought it wasn't going to work for me. No labels would meet with me, no one would even let me do a demo. It was really bad.

"Coming on The X Factor and hearing that I have a good voice and I could be something, that was just an amazing feeling. Maybe it is all possible."

Her last-ditch bid certainly paid off, with Jade defying the odds to land a spot in tonight's grand final against country crooner Jason Owen and Australia's answer to One Direction, the Collective.

The pint-sized singer is now being heralded as an inspiration to other would-be stars for her consistent positive attitude and "fighter" spirit, which has seen her bounce back from being in the show's bottom two more than any other act.

Jade says the idea of being an inspiration was the precise reason she continued to press forward.

"I have grown up being inspired by people like Mariah (Carey) and Whitney (Houston) and Katy Perry, who lost two deals and then made it," she says.

"They helped me to not give up. Now it's such an amazing thing with me being an inspiration, that's so lovely.

"I hope I can continue to inspire people because I know how it feels to have someone to aspire to. I hope I can be that for girls."

Though it may have taken her longer than some of the other acts on The X Factor to build up a loyal fan base, Jade has now well and truly secured a dedicated band of followers keen to see her succeed.

Just last week more than 1000 punters turned out to watch her perform at a Perth shopping centre and social media sites are abuzz with admiration for Jade's transformation in confidence.

The local conglomerate is spearheaded by her mother Jacquie Gibbs, who sings the star's praises as a potential winner.

"She's very talented and she's a real sweetheart," Ms Gibbs says. "People have got to see that a little on the show. She's very driven, works hard and she loves what she does. She can't wait to bring her music to the people."

With bookies now placing Jade as the frontrunner to win The X Factor title tomorrow night, Ms Gibbs will make sure the family are well represented at the final in Sydney

"We are all making our way now that we know," Ms Gibbs says.

"Every person that can do it, will do it for her. We have a big, close family so I am sure everyone will be trying to get over there to give her the support she deserves."