Rachel: Exit interview
23 Nov 08
"I have been bullied..."
Rachel Hylton has had a tough time on The X Factor. Here's what she had to say the day after she left...
How do you feel this morning?
I'm tired. I only got to bed at four this morning. I stayed up with my family and talked.
You went out with a bang, didn't you?
Yes, I was quite upset by what happened on the show. I'm a bit annoyed. I can only be bullied for so long. I have been bullied and Dannii has been bullied and I've had enough.
Bullying is a very strong word...
What Louis did this week with Dannii was uncalled for it - it was just bullying. He's targeting us now and that's bad.
How did you and Dannii really get on?
She's a lovely lady. We got on fine.
Did you speak to her after the show?
No I didn't speak to the judges. Whatever, it's cool.
How did all that stuff about styling yourself come about?
I asked to style myself because a lot of people didn't like the way I looked on stage. I wanted to look my age - I'm 27 next week. And people have said I am difficult because I wanted to more say in the songs. I can't win - I just said what everybody else seemed to be thinking.
Have you come to terms with being voted out?
I'm not mad about it, somebody had to go. But I am upset. I think I've been judged on my past and not on my performance. I suppose not everyone on The X Factor has a smooth sailing ride - other people have had a bumpy ride. It happens.
What were your favourite performances?
I enjoyed week one because I went out there and I did great with a song that didn’t really suit me. I was happy with week three, big band week. And the last two shows, six and seven, I thought were pretty much perfect.
But you found yourself in the bottom two three times.
I know. There must've been people out there who enjoyed my performances, and I thank them, really. But I got voted into the bottom two a lot. Newspapers were turning people against me. I was even in the bottom two when I cried! I don't think I was judged on my performances - whether they were good or bad it didn't matter. People judged me on my past - and the fact that they didn't like it.
What's next for Rachel Hylton?
I'm off to look after my children. And then I am going to do The X Factor tour. I'm looking forward to it, I'm a performer and it'll give me the chance to do what I love to do. And then I pray I have the chance to make something of this chance. I'd love to be a recording artist. I'd love to be starting work on my second album a year from now.
Will you keep in touch with the other contestants?
I'm sure I'll see them again on the tour.
Who do you think is going to win?
To be honest, I don't know.
Is there anything else you'd like to say?
Bottom line is I want to say thank you to the real people out there, who have picked up the phone and supported me. Thank you so much. Thank you for believing in me. It really does mean a lot.
Has Rachel been judged harshly? Have your say below...