Girlband exit interview
19 Oct 08
The truth about allegations of favouritism and in-band arguements...
Girlband's X Factor adventure ended last night when they found themselves singing for survival a second time. The band's Layla reveals how they feel today...
Hey, Layla! How did you feel this morning?
Not too bad. We're obviously upset about going out of The X Factor, but we're hoping that something good will come of it.
What did you do after last night's show?
Although I was really upset on stage, I recovered quite quickly. I spent time with family and friends in the bar area, then went back to the house with the rest of the contestants. We watched the X Factor repeat together.
What did it feel like to be singing for survival two weeks in a row?
Awful. Even if we'd got through again this week, I'm not sure I could have sung for survival again. It's such an emotionally draining experience; it took a whole week to pick myself up again! Today, I feel physically ill because I've cried so much.
Ruth was also in the bottom two. Did you speak to her afterwards?
Ruth was so devastated she could hardly talk. She felt so bad to have survived when we didn't. But we love Ruth, and we know exactly how she feels. After all, we were in the same position last week.
You had to find a new survival song this week. How did you choose?
Quickly! We only had about five minutes to choose last Sunday. But we felt Don't Want to Miss a Thing was a great song and it seemed ironic. We really didn't want to go home.
Last night's vote went to deadlock. Was that fair?
Yes, in a way I think it is better when it is up to the public in the end.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
No, I think we've had a brilliant experience.
But Girlband had a bit of rep for arguing - why was that?
We argued in rehearsals in week one, it was completely to do with stress. We were under so much pressure. The second week was much better; we've all grown as friends.
Did Louis support you enough?
He loved us. He called us every day and gave us loads of advice. He texted us last night, saying, "You were great tonight - dignified and likeable". He even came into the dressing room and said we were amazing.
But did your mentor give JLS more attention?
No way, he treated us both the same. He spoke to us just as much as JLS. Louis has been fabulous. He's given us his ideas, but allowed us to put our own spin on them.
What won't you miss about the whole competition?
Austin's harmonica playing. We can't take any more of that!
Will you keep in touch with the other contestants?
Definitely, they're all saying they want us to come down to the show later in the series. We'll always support them. Even Scott who's already asked for our room in the house, because it was the biggest!
Who would you like to win now?
I would love either Laura or Diana to win, they're my girls. Either of them could win this competition, then go on to be a global star.
What's next for Girlband?
We're going to take what we have and run with it! The hard work begins now. We have a couple of TV appearances tomorrow, and we're part of the charity single Hero. You never know, we could be number one next week, how can you complain?
What did you think of this week's result? Have your say below...