X Factor Gamu finally gets her moment in the spotlight as she joins rappers and WAGs at the MOBOs

By Emily Sheridan
Last updated at 7:37 AM on 21st October 2010

After being rejected by Cheryl Cole for The X Factor and facing possible deportation from the UK, pop star hopeful Gamu Nhengu finally got her moment in the spotlight last night.
Taking her mind off the uncertainty surrounding her future in the country, the 18-year-old rubbed shoulders with the stars at the Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards in Liverpool.
The Zimbabwean-born singer, who has lived in Scotland for eight years, admitted her visa issues were 'still a little up in the air' as she posed on the red carpet in a little black dress and leopard-print heels.

Mingling with stars: X Factor reject Gamu Nhengu took her mind off her visa woes by mixing with celebrities including Alesha Dixon at the MOBO Awards in Liverpool

Mingling with stars: X Factor reject Gamu Nhengu (left) took her mind off her visa woes by mixing with celebrities including Alesha Dixon at the MOBO Awards in Liverpool

When asked if she had gotten over being rejected by Cheryl, she said: 'Have I got over the pain? I guess so... It was gutting but the love I've got from people has definitely helped, definitely helped to heal the wound.'
Gamu is battling to stay in Britain after her mother Nokuthula Ngazana's visa application for the whole family was rejected by the Home Office, who allege she claimed £16,000 in benefits she was not entitled to for Gamu and her brothers Milton, 12, and Marty, 10.
When asked for an update on her visa issues, Gamu said: 'It's still a little up in the air we don't know what's happening and haven't had any contact yet.'

Leggy: WAG Alex Gerrard wore a leopard-print jersey dress and platform heels (left), while N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos wore a gold babydoll dress

Arriving on the Echo Arena, Gamu was greeted with cheers by the crowds lined up outside for the glimpse of the stars.
Leading the glamour was Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon, who was performing and also co-hosting the event alongside Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates.
Dixon arrived on the red carpet in a striking black and pink dress with pointed shoulderpads before changing into a white structured basque and big knickers for her performance later in the evening.

Covered up: Singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae wore a green wrap dress (left), while American singer and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Michelle Williams shimmered in a silver creation

It's a long way from London: The Saturdays singer Rochelle Wiseman (left) and former Mis-teeq bandmember Su-Elise Nash travelled up from the capital

While Dixon didn't win any gongs this year, boy band JLS and rapper Tinie Tempah were the big winners last night.
X Factor 2008 runner-up JLS won Best Album and Best UK Act, while Tinie Tempah - real name Patrick Okogwu - won Best Newcomer and Best Video for his single Frisky.
Urban trio N-Dubz - led by glamourous frontwoman Tula Contostavlos in a gold babydoll dress - picked up Best Song for Playing With Fire and also performed to the crowds of screaming fans.

Girl power: Alesha performed in a spiky basque and hotpants (left) while N-Dubz singer Tulisa slipped into a pink dress

Accepting their award, her bandmate and cousin Dino 'Dappy' Contostavlos said: 'If you've got something to party over, then party.
'But if you're not winning nothing, go home, feel bad, wake up tomorrow and work harder.'
With the event being in Liverpool, unsurprisingly there was a host of WAGs and northern soap stars in attendance.

Warming up the crowds: Mark Ronson performed Bang Bang Bang with MNDR singer Amanda Warner to open the show

Loving the ladies: R&B singer Jay Sean looks like he's enjoying the view of his sexy dancers

Queen Liverpool WAG Alex Gerrard, 28, wore a leopard-print jersey dress and platform sandals with black bows on them.
Mrs Gerrrard made a girls' night of it with friend Sheree Murphy - ex-Emmerdale actress and wife of Australian footballer Harry Kewell.
Everton footballers Tim Cahill and Phil Jagielka - who brought respective WAGs Rebekah Greenhill and Emily Jagielka - received a large cheer from Blues supporters in the audience following their 2-0 win over Liverpool.

We've got the X Factor: JLS (L-R) Aston Merrygold, Oritse Williams, Marvin Humes and Jonathan 'JB' Gill won two awards

Celebrate: Professor Green accepts his Best UK Hip Hop/Grime award (left), while Tinie Tempah poses with one of his two accolades

Let's party: DJ Trevor Nelson presents Billy Ocean with a Lifetime Achievement Award (left), while award presenter Jermaine Jackson arrives at the ceremony with wife Halima

Other WAGs at the bash included glamour model Amanda Harrington, the girlfriend of Newcastle played Joey Barton.
The glitzy show was kicked off with a performance of Bang Bang Bang by Mark Ronson and The Business International.
Other performers included U.S. rapper Nelly, Professor Green, Roll Deep and Jay Sean.

Blonde ambition: Glamour model Amanda Harrington - girlfriend of Newcastle footballer Joey Barton - and Big Brother 7 star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace

Glamming up: (L-R) Former Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton, ex-EastEnders actress Preeya Kalidas and MOBOs founder Kanya King

Glamming up: (L-R) Former Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton, ex-EastEnders actress Preeya Kalidas and MOBOs founder Kanya King

Here come The Blues: Everton footballers Tim Cahill (left) and Phil Jagielka bring their respective WAGs Rebekah Greenhill and Emily Jagielka

The winners are...

Best Newcomer - Tinie Tempah
Best UK R&B / Soul Act - Plan B
Best UK Hip Hop / Grime Act - Professor Green
Best International Act - Eminem
Best Reggae Act - Gyptian
Best Album - JLS, 'JLS'
Best Video - Tinie Tempah ft Labrinth - Frisky
Best UK Act - JLS
Best Song - NDubz FEAT. Mr Hudson - Playing with Fire
Best African Act - K'Naan
Best Jazz Act - Empirical
Best Gospel Act - Guvna BLifetime Achievement - Billy Ocean
BeMOBO - Merseyside Dance Initiative