Reigan hits home run
Reigan Derry is still in shock over news she has made The X Factor top 24.
The Perth-raised singer, who first rose to fame on Australian Idol as a teen and then went on to join ill-fated girl band Scarlett Belle, was last night announced as one of six contestants over the age of 25 to make it through to the home visits round - the final stage before the Seven show goes live.
"I got so emotional when I got chosen," Derry told AAA.
"It was just because, at the time, I didn't know if I could do it. I didn't have that inner strength to really believe in myself, so when it came through it was such a relief."
Also making it through was fellow Australian Idol alumnus Amali Ward, who was a finalist on the reality singing show in 2004, two years before Derry.
While sharing a hotel room during X Factor, Derry said she and Ward bonded over their shared experiences.
"We have had a petty similar life with our music and with both of us coming from Idol; we have a lot of expectations on us," the former Perth Modern student explained. "I think Amali is incredible and I really connected with her during boot camp."
Derry will return to WA this weekend for a special appearance on Saturday at Westfield Carousel along with top 24 singers Sydnee Carter, who also hails from Perth, and Melbourne crooner Ryan Imlach. The event kicks off at the Rebel Sport carpark from 1pm.
After revealing she tried out for The X Factor in order to get a fresh start and show her true self, Derry said she had received so much support from the public and could not wait to meet fans in her home town.
"Not only people that I already know but others that may remember me from my time on Idol or Scarlett Belle are telling me they are proud of me," the performer said.
"There is this warmth that people are showing me and they are just being so accepting of who I am now. There was a possibility that people could have gone the other way and not been accepting of me. But it seems a lot of my truth is coming across, I couldn't ask for more."
