Is winning XF a poison chalice in some way?
 

I mean if you look at most of the winners have done apart from Leona and Alexandra who have managed to appeal to lots of people and be successful in their own right:).

You see people now like JLS and Diana who didn't win who are doing well for themselves proving that not winning has in fact benefited them a lot:D.

poisoned :p

Well youre more restricted and have to wait longer to release material.

And you have more expectations and more haterz trying to shoot you down. Losers are the underdogs and have more artistic freedom...and lower expectations.

So yeah, can be a curse. Runner ups a good spot.

This. I hate to agree with Zippy but in this case he's spot on.

Wining means they're under Simon Cowells wing and unable to express themselves.

Not many artists last in the mainstream beyond 3-5 years and if you're a talent show winner, the second you fade is the second you're branded a flop. Alex will be able to reinvent herself very easily, Leona will be a bit more difficult and her star has started to fade.

If you finish second or below there is much less expectation. Noone kicked up a fuss when Diana's 2nd single charted quite low, but if that was one of the winners they would have been dropped there and then.

Im sure theyd all still take the victory though. Nobody plays for 2nd spot.

And its just a life defining moment that will stay with you forever and nobody can take it away. You go down in history as a winner.