Rebecca Ferguson is a British singer-songwriter and activist who gained prominence as the runner-up on The X Factor in 2010. Born in Liverpool, she initially pursued a career as a legal secretary before her musical talents led her to the national stage. Her debut album, Heaven (2011), received critical acclaim and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. Over the years, Ferguson has released several albums, showcasing her soulful voice and songwriting prowess. Beyond her musical achievements, she has been a vocal advocate for artists' rights and welfare within the music industry. In 2021, she met with then-Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to discuss discrimination in the industry and campaigned for the establishment of a regulatory body to protect artists. Her efforts contributed to the formation of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA), aiming to uphold and improve standards of behavior in entertainment and broadcasting. In recognition of her contributions to music and advocacy, Ferguson was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours in 2024.
