Rak-Su made X Factor history last year when they became the first male group to ever win the show.
12 months on, childhood friends Ashley Fongho, Jamaal Shurland, Mustafa Rahimtulla and Myles Stephenson are still firmly in the limelight.
Not content with the success of their latest track I Want You To Freak (the music video of which has so far garnered nearly three million views on YouTube) or a roster of upcoming performances including Capital FMs star-studded Jingle Bell Ball, the boys have just made their acting debut by creating their very own Christmas ad, too.
But the four-piece hip-hop and R&B group are quick to affirm that winning the show isnt all glitz, glamour and good times – and success is very much underpinned by hard work and graft.
And as the next wave of X Factor hopefuls make their way into the semi-finals, Rak-Su have issued a frank warning about what winning the show really means.
We were always conscious that this is a different time to eight years ago, people dont just come off the show and rock it to number one, it takes work and you have to build and do the right things, Ashley told Metro.co.uk, as the group partnered with Coca-Cola to create a very special Christmas ad, as they put their spin on the the classic Holidays are Coming advert.
Advertisement Advertisement
This industry is a graft, added Myles.
Its not like youre given fame straight away and success, youve gotta graft at this and youve gotta go a year without sleep, youve gotta go two years without sleep.
Reflecting on the past 12 months, the singer, who is currently dating Love Islands Gabby Allen, added: Its been hands on this year.
Admitting that their dream would be rocking up to the airport for the first leg of a world tour, Ashley insisted they still have a long way to go on the road to success – and winning The X Factor was only a part of it.
The scary thing is, were probably gonna have to work harder, he laughed.
Sometimes when you hear stories about Beyonce or 50 Cent not eating for a couple of days, were starting to realise to get to the top theres a lot to be done, a lot of sacrifice.
Asked what advice theyd give to current contestants of the hit ITV show, Myles urged the acts not to try too hard.
Just be yourself. I think if you try and stand out too much then you get lost because youre not being true to yourself, youre not doing music because you love it or because of why you fell in love with it, he said.
If you try and stand out too much youre gonna get lost, or youre gonna get frowned upon because youll get easily sussed out.
Advertisement Advertisement
And as for the new judging line-up? The boys think it was a much-needed change.
Its been a slight refreshment for viewers, obviously people do like change sometimes and I think its been a nice rearrangement, Myles said.
Acknowledging the controversy around the signing of Ayda Field – whose experience is predominantly in acting – he added: Aydas been with Robbie [Williams] for years now and she knows the game, shes not fickle.
To find out more about Coca-Cola Christmas, visit coca-cola.co.uk, and join the conversation across social media using #HolidaysAreComing.
Got a showbiz story?
If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Cheryls Love Made Me Do It goes up in the charts days after plummeting to number 48
MORE: Dwayne Johnson lives it up as he moves into Brad and Anges massive Surrey mansion
Advertisement Advertisement
[contf] [contfnew] 
METRO
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
