Advertisement

Dami Im keeps the faith

Dami Im. Picture: Supplied

Quietly spoken X Factor grand finalist Dami Im keeps the social media wolves at bay and her feet on the ground by reading the Bible and praying every day.

A committed Christian, Im says she is enjoying the experience of appearing on the Seven series but knows the entertainment industry is extremely fickle.

The Queenslander says her faith has helped her cope not just with being away from her husband for three months and with the heavy work schedule, but also with the ugly side of social media.

“People say all these good, positive things, but there are heaps of people saying negative things, and if you try and believe everything, you're going to go crazy,” Im said.

“I don't think I could handle it without holding on to the faith ... It's the truth that doesn't change. “It doesn't say one day you are good and the next day you are this way and that, it's stable, it's a rock ... It helps me remember who I am.”

Im faces stiff opposition from popular 14-year-old Jai Waetford and Victorian Taylor Henderson to claim the talent quest, which will be decided by viewers on Monday night.

The Korean-born Australian already feels like a winner for having come this far, after being eliminated earlier in the series when she forgot her words during a boot camp challenge.

Im gained a reprieve after another contestant pulled out. She is now the bookies' favourite.

The 24-year-old says she has been drumming up local support.

On Wednesday she was mobbed when she visited her former Brisbane high school, John Paul College.

She was scheduled to perform at one of Brisbane's biggest shopping centres later in the day.

She says Waetford will be hard to beat because he has a great voice and is very popular among young viewers.

“Jai's very popular, definitely, and I shouldn't say this because it's not good for me, but I have never met a 14-year-old who is so mature and so strong mentally,” Im says.

“He is such a nice kid and I am happy for all the support he is getting, but I feel my supporters are of a different age demographic.

“I will be busy this week and it comes down to whose supporters vote more.”

Im came to Australia when she was nine years old. Like Britain's Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle, Im's previous experience was limited to performing in church.

“I had performed in churches in Korea, but I wanted to sing more in Australia and that's why went on The X Factor,” she says.

“I honestly never thought I would come this far."

Im admits to being slightly embarrassed after watching video of herself auditioning for the series.

She looked so nervous and awkward that her coach Danni Minogue (who is also one of the judges) wondered whether Im had stumbled into the auditions by accident.

“She said I looked like I had accidentally rocked on stage and was made to sing,” Im says.

“Dannii has been really helpful and showed me how to perform and work the crowd and be confident.”

The X Factor grand final screens on Sunday at 6.30pm and Monday at 7.30pm on Seven/GWN7.