Derry's worst fears realised
Reigan Derry's worst fears were realised when she was forced to sing-off against close friend and Over-25s team mate Jason Heerah on Monday night's X Factor elimination.
While viewers were shocked to discover that Derry was in the bottom two, the Perth singer had a funny feeling something bad was coming her way.
"I was expecting to be in the bottom two this week," the 26-year-old told AAA Weekend.
"I hadn't been in the bottom two yet and I just had a cringing feeling on Monday morning when I woke up. I warmed up because I knew I was going to be singing for my life."
Fighting for her spot in the competition against Heerah was a difficult undertaking for the experienced performer, who had bonded closely with the father-of-two throughout the series.
"When I was chosen I got pretty emotional because I was up against Jason and I didn't know what to do," Derry said.
"I'm so close to Jason and I admire him so much, I just couldn't hold it together - it was pretty bad. It was sad but at the same time he's very strong and is just so awesome so he really helped me get through it."
As soon as it was revealed that Derry was in the bottom two, social media channels around the country exploded with support, with some viewers claiming the result was an outrage.
"I couldn't believe what was happening on my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, it was going off," Derry said.
"I've never seen it go so crazy and received so many likes and comments from people who were there for me, it was amazing.
"I was so exhausted after Monday night but after I went on to my social media I felt instantly better - it made me think it was great that I got into the bottom two because I got to see how much people believe in me."
In terms of what she wants to show the judges on the Seven talent quest now that she has made the top five, Derry said she wanted to reveal more of her vulnerable side.
"I'm the oldest person in the competition now and a lot of the time I have to take on a role of support for the other people in the competition but I'm still super-vulnerable," the former Perth Modern student said.
"I really, really want this and I'm scared that it won't happen."
