The departure of The X Factor NZ contestant Jackie Thomas has stirred debate among fans of the talent show. There is even a Facebook page campaigning for her return, but Thomas isn't looking back.
Thomas was voted out of the show during bootcamp, and is the first to admit she wasn't up to standard.
"I'm gutted, I still am," she says.
"It was terrible watching it on TV as well. I don't think I was that good at the time, I lacked confidence that's for sure".
After growing up in Greymouth, Thomas has now moved to Auckland in an attempt to get more musical experience.
"Music has been more of a hobby to me. In Greymouth there isn't really the opportunity to go gigging like there is in Auckland."
Thomas says meeting judge Mel Blatt was one of the highlights of her X Factor experience. She grew up listening to Blatt's band the All Saints and still listens to them now.
"I was a huge All Saints fan! I was a real 90s kid. I grew up listening to the boy bands and the girl bands. They got me in to music."
Thomas says viewers would be surprised to see how hard bootcamp really was.
"The nerves you experience while sitting back stage listening to everyone else sing, they are just incredible."
Although Thomas wouldn't reveal who she wants to win the competition, she definitely wants it to be one of the girls.
"I made some great friends. Those girls are amazing."
Although she has no immediate plans to release any material, her fans will be happy to hear that now she has realised she has the talent, she plans to spend more time concentrating on her music.
The X Factor NZ continues on TV3 this Sunday at 7pm.
3 News
source: newshub archive
