In 2011, Brucknell auditioned for the eighth series of The X Factor. She sang "The Edge of Glory" for her first audition; all four judges (Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa and Louis Walsh) voted to put her through to the "boot camp" stage of the competition. She performed "You Got the Love" and "Feeling Good" at boot camp, and made it through to judges' houses. Brucknell, who was 26 years old at the time, was put into the Over 25s category, which was mentored by Walsh. After performing "Beautiful Disaster", Walsh chose her to advance to the live shows.