They came by their thousands, all chasing the X Factor dream and a recording contract.
Last night it came down to just three – Whenua Patuwai of Christchurch, Benny Tipene from Palmerston North and Greymouth's Jackie Thomas.
But there could only be one winner, and that was 22-year-old Jackie, who last performed Bon Iver's 'Skinny Love' and her new single, 'It's Worth It'.
"I was kind of, you know – I was happy with whatever happened that night because first, second, third – amazing," she said on Firstline this morning.
"I was kind of just preparing myself for whatever. I think it was more of a fun night, just because I was happy with whatever I got. I was just tried to have fun with it."
- VIDEO: Jackie Thomas on Firstline
After being kicked off early on in the series, Jackie got a second chance after mentor Daniel Bedingfield threatened to quit if she wasn't brought back.
From there she went from strength-to-strength, and topped the public vote seven times in the 10 weeks leading up to the final.
Jackie says she had no idea she was the public's overwhelming favourite, and credits her hometown with giving her the confidence to go all the way.
"I feel like I could do this because Greymouth was behind me… I want to go back there as soon as I can."
Greymouth Mayor Tony Kokshoorn says people in the small West Coast town are "still dancing in the streets" following last night's grand final.
"I'm looking out of the window now and there's a massive rainbow over Greymouth, and it's got Jackie's smile all over it," he said on Firstline.
"Jackie, you were unbelievable, honestly. I can remember back four or five years ago when you were Sandy in the high school Grease production, and you did a brilliant job there, and from that point on, you've represented rural New Zealand."
Mr Kokshoorn calls her the kind of "mentor and a role model" that kids growing up in rural New Zealand need.
"It was a lonely, long road for you, but you got over your nerves and last night – as they say – cream goes to the top. Whenua, he actually made a big comeback against you, but you rose to the occasion.
"We're so proud of you Jackie, you were just brilliant."
Despite being the one on stage, Jackie wasn't the first to know she'd won –host Dominic Bowden's lengthy dramatic pause before announcing the winner was interrupted when the big screens behind the contestants flashed up Jackie's name.
Jackie saw her family in the seats celebrating, and wondered what the fuss was.
"They were up there celebrating and I was like, okay, because [Dominic] hadn't said anything… I had no idea."
Jackie starts work on her debut album this evening, and her first single – 'It's Worth It' – is out now.
"It's doing really well and I'm really excited about it," she says.
3 News
source: newshub archive
