UK Edition
Feeds
X Factor star Marisa Billitteri has admitted that she came close to giving up on her dream of stardom after being bullied for wanting to be a singer.
The 19-year-old, who is part of the group Girlband, reportedly broke down in tears as she discussed the experience with her mentor Louis Walsh.
Recalling the way she was treated as a youngster, Billitteri said: "It really did knock me back... I thought I'm going to go for it. I became stronger as a person when I met the girls."
Billitteri and her bandmates Tita and Phoebe Lau, 20 and 18, and Layla Manoochehri, 22, were picked by Walsh in Sunday night's episode. The 'Groups' category is also being represented by Bad Lashes and JSL.
The X Factor continues at 7.15pm on Saturday on ITV1.
