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Big buzz a two-edged sword

Reigan Derry says all the buzz around her first live X Factor performance is both a blessing and a curse.

The Perth-raised songstress was the final singer to take the stage on Sunday night and wowed with her rendition of Katy Perry's Unconditionally, which saw her perform in a dramatic shower of sand.

The four judges all gave her a standing ovation and the following morning Derry shot up in the betting stakes, with online bookmaker Sportsbet placing her at top odds of $3.00 to take out the Seven competition this year.

However, Derry is now worried that all the hype will discourage the public from voting for her, as they will assume she is safe from elimination.

"I am extremely honoured to be put on the top of the list and to have received those compliments," the former Perth Modern student told Access All Areas.

"But at the same time, I almost feel like it's a bit of a threat because I don't want Australia thinking this is easy and that people will be voting for me. People who get through the competition are the ones the public feels like they need to vote for."

Derry's celebrity mentor Redfoo was also quoted this week saying he believed she would be the Australian talent quest's first international superstar, something that shocked the singer.

"When I read that, I just lost it," Derry said excitedly.

"It gave me a lot of confidence because, even if I got kicked out this week, him saying something like that is pretty massive, coming from an international superstar himself. I am really honoured to hear that from him."

Since Derry first stepped out on the X Factor stage and told of her desire for a fresh start after being a former finalist on Australian Idol and member of sexualised pop duo Scarlett Belle, she said she has received an outpouring of support from around the nation.

While her family are watching on from WA - Derry having relocated to Sydney several years ago - she is certainly feeling the love from afar.

"My mum sends me all these cute messages every week, she sends little quotes every morning so I always have something positive to start my day with," the performer said.

"My dad has been voting and, because he drives a taxi, he has probably told everyone in the back to vote for me too."

But there will be several special faces in the crowd when Derry sings again on The X Factor on Sunday at 6.30pm on Seven/GWN7.

"My two best friends came and watched me last week and my mum is coming this weekend too," she said. "She is coming with my sister *Jessica *, * *who is flying in from Canada."