2016–2017: The X Factor A week before their audition for
The X Factor, the group chose their name in a rehearsal studio, inspired by a card game they were playing. They narrowed their options down to Four of Diamonds and Four of Hearts. They went with Four of Diamonds because of how popular
diamonds are, as well as how strong the stones can be. Four of Diamonds auditioned for
The X Factor in the third set of room auditions, performing "
No" by
Meghan Trainor. They then progressed to bootcamp and the six-chair challenge, gaining a seat and making it through to judges' houses, mentored by
Louis Walsh. They were eventually sent home by Walsh. However, on 10 October 2016, it was announced that Four of Diamonds would take
Brooks Way's place for the remainder of the live shows, starting in week 2. In week three, Four of Diamonds were in the bottom two against
Relley C. They sang "Who Are You" by
Fifth Harmony and were saved by Walsh,
Nicole Scherzinger and
Simon Cowell. Voting statistics revealed that Relley C received more votes than Four of Diamonds in the main vote, meaning if Cowell sent the result to deadlock, Relley C would have been saved. The following week, they were in the bottom two against
Gifty Louise; they sang "
The Voice Within" by
Christina Aguilera and were saved by Walsh, Scherzinger and
Sharon Osbourne. Once again, Four of Diamonds came behind Louise in the main public vote meaning that if Osbourne sent the result to deadlock, Louise would have been saved. They were sent home on week 5, after a sing-off against
Saara Aalto, when only Walsh voted to save them. In this sing-off, they sang "
When You Believe" by
Whitney Houston and
Mariah Carey. However, voting statistics revealed that Four of Diamonds and Aalto received more votes than
Sam Lavery in the public main vote; meaning if there was no lifeline vote, or if Aalto won the lifeline vote, Four of Diamonds would have competed against Lavery in the final showdown instead of Aalto. Additionally, in that scenario, if the result went to deadlock, Four of Diamonds would have been saved and Lavery would have been eliminated. Following the conclusion of the series, the final eight contestants co-headlined
The X Factor Live Tour around in 2017. As part of this concert tour, Four of Diamonds performed to over 200,000 people across the United Kingdom.
2018–2020: Single releases On 14 June 2018, Four of Diamonds released their debut single, "Name On It", featuring
Burna Boy. In September 2018, they were signed to
EMI Records, becoming the first girl group to be signed to EMI since the
Spice Girls. Following their signing, they released their second single, titled "Stupid Things", featuring
Saweetie. On 30 November 2018, their third single, "Blind" was released. The song samples "
Too Blind to See It" by
Kym Sims, and was produced by
Jonas Blue. Blue has also been confirmed as the executive producer of their debut album. Later that month, they held a three-date concert tour across England, visiting
Birmingham,
Manchester and
London. On 17 May 2019, the group released their fourth single, "Walk Away", In an interview with
Coup De Main, they revealed that both
Rihanna and
Zara Larsson recorded
demos for "Walk Away", but the song was given to Four of Diamonds. After their performance at the
O2 Arena, Philip Logan of CelebMix wrote that they "sparked an energy in the room", and that "commanding the audiences attention with immediate effect, the girls made the O2 stage their own – performing a strong set complete with slick choreography, tight vocal harmonies and killer tunes. With a confidence and chemistry that most girl bands can only dream of, there's a genuine and undeniable sense of camaraderie between the ladies as they perform, so powerful that it translates from the stage right into the audience creating a visceral connection between them and their fans." On 30 May 2019, they performed "Walk Away" on
Blue Peter, and the next day, they appeared as the musical guest on ''
Britain's Got More Talent''. In July 2019, they performed at
Bristol Pride, and later headlined their first show at Borderline,
London. In August 2019, they performed as musical guests at
CBBC's Summer Social event and
Manchester Pride. On 19 September 2019, Four of Diamonds released their fifth single, "Eating Me Up", accompanied by a music video.
Spindle described the song as "empowering, raw and relatable", and featured it on their playlist. On 31 October 2019, the group released a single titled "Long Way To Go", accompanied by a music video. Yasmin explains that the song has a double-meaning: it can be interpreted as describing being lied to in a relationship or about the importance of self-acceptance. which was followed by the release of "
Superstar" in collaboration with Dutch producer
Joe Stone on 27 March 2020. On 29 May 2020, Four of Diamonds released "The Writer" featuring Nigerian singer
Mr Eazi, which Robin Murray of
Clash described as "a neat pop burner with a taste of afrobeats". In November 2020, they released the song "Never Learn My Lesson" via
Fascination after parting with EMI. ==Members==