Maria Lawson (born 24 May 1979) is a British singer who finished 8th in the second UK series of television talent show The X Factor in 2005. Lawson became the very first female contestant on the UK version to get signed by a major recording label. The second female contestant to achieve this would then be series three winner Leona Lewis. (http://www.marialawson.co.uk) Lawson was born and raised in London. She is the youngest in a family of five, with three brothers and one sister. Maria found fame on Britain’s biggest talent show, the X Factor, which starred Simon Cowell. She was one of the favourites to win under mentor Sharon Osbourne in 2005.