X Factor legend Chico Slimani has opened up about a devastating Dubai investment scam that saw him lose "everything," marking a dramatic turn in his career from entertainer to wellness entrepreneur.
From Reality TV Stardom to Financial Ruin
The 54-year-old, who rose to fame on the 2005 series of ITV's X Factor under mentor Sharon Osbourne, enjoyed a brief but notable music career. His debut single, It's Chico Time, soared to number one in the UK charts, but his third release was, by his own admission, a "flop." Seeking new opportunities, Chico made a fateful investment in the Middle East in 2014 that ultimately collapsed.
Speaking candidly to the Sun, Chico revealed, "We invested lots of money in a business in Dubai. Unfortunately we got conned and we lost everything." He reflected on the experience with a philosophical outlook, stating, "I always thought, all right, that wasn't meant to be. You've obviously got a bigger plan for me type of thing."
Rebirth as a Wellness Pioneer
Despite the financial devastation, this setback became the catalyst for Chico's successful reinvention. He channelled his lifelong passion for health and fitness into creating the BlockFit programme, which was subsequently adopted by Bannatyne's Health Clubs. BlockFit uniquely blends dance, combat, high-intensity yoga, and meditation set to original music.
Chico explained, "It was a natural transition because I've been in the health and fitness industry all my life really at one time or another. As I was younger, I was into martial arts and I wanted to do natural bodybuilding." He emphasised the holistic approach of his work: "It's about getting the right knowledge as to how your body works, how your mind works, and how you can become the best version of yourself."
Expanding His Wellness Empire
Beyond BlockFit, Chico now oversees several wellness retreats in Morocco and Portugal. The COVID-19 pandemic further spurred his focus on mental health, leading him to help individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. He describes his method as "your doctor, therapist, spiritual master all in one."
Earlier this year, he self-published a book titled THE SECRET 19: Cancer Questions Worth, adding author to his list of accomplishments.
Reflections on The X Factor Experience
Chico's comments come after he previously criticised The X Factor in 2021, claiming the show "uses and abuses" its contestants. Speaking on Late Night with Cristo on talkRADIO, he elaborated, "It gave me the chance to earn a good living, I've been around the country entertaining the masses, so much has come from that. I can't complain because I again, I knew what it was, they use you, or abuse you, and you use that platform to go on."
He added starkly, "They don't care about you. You're a commodity; you are as good as the money you're going to make them. That is it. You are completely replaceable and as I said it's a conveyor belt. If you're not going to do it, someone else will take your place to do it."
Chico's journey from pop star to scam victim to wellness advocate underscores a remarkable resilience, turning personal loss into a thriving new career dedicated to helping others achieve physical and mental wellbeing.
