Shan Ako's journey to centre stage started in the halls of the acclaimed Brit School, where she started releasing self-produced music as a teenager. Just a few years later she would find herself touring arenas as part of The X Factor Arena Tour, after being mentored by Simon Cowell in the final series of The X Factor, only to then be thrust into the West End to play Eponine in Les Miserables (The Staged Concert). Currently, Shan is playing her dream role, Eliza Hamilton in the West End production of Hamilton. In this episode of Your 5 Minute Call, Amber and Shan talk two years of being in Hamilton (and her impending departure from the show), her X Factor journey, knowing her "why" and, of course, her pre-show ritual. Thank you to our sponsors... Factor’s delicious, ready-to-eat meals make eating better every day easy. Head to factormeals.com/your5minute50 and use code your5minute50 to get 50% off. Follow Your 5 Minute Call Instagram: @your5minutecall TikTok: @your5minutecall YouTube: @your5minutecall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices