James Michael is one of The X Factor finalists (UK series 8).
James Michael (20, born James Michael Stillings) is from Widnes, Cheshire. The unemployed singer taught himself a few songs on guitar while job-hunting after finishing school at 16. He describes himself as "not academic" but realised he had a love for music and went to college to study music technology. He sang "Ticket to Ride" and was the first in the boys' category to be elimated from the live shows on October 9 by decision of mentor Gary Barlow, as there was no public vote in the inaugural live show.