Final 11 Week

We're having a GREAT week! Last week was hectic but this week we have had a chance to chill out. It was a good week to get to know people. I have also been writing songs, which I haven't had the chance to do for a while. I miss Holly a little – she was in my room and we were good mates. I spoke to her last night on the phone and she was like, "I'm OK, I'm doing well."

Having time to yourself is so important – and it's great having a phone because you can just call people and feel like you're back in reality. My boyfriend called me on Monday because he hurt himself and it was good to be reminded that normal things are still happening – even if they're not necessarily good things (and he's OK!).

I think I am taking on the 'Mum' role a bit in Idol HQ. I'm always talking with Tarisai, Lana and Matt. It's like that back home too – everyone calls me 'Mum'. Last night, Ben wanted pizza and I was like, "There's plenty of good food in the fridge." As soon as the conversation finished, I was like, "Wow. That was a 'Mum' moment."

It was a real challenge to perform on Sunday. I couldn't hear properly at all – I was flying by the seat of my pants. The reverb and the crowd and everything was amazingly loud. I am also deaf in one ear so I was relying on one ear to hear everything! But I will get it all figured out as the competition progresses.

The songs I am choosing are very famous. I am choosing them because I just love them. I don't do a lot of covers in my normal life and the songs that I know, everyone knows. I don't pick obscure songs because I don't know them – especially for these genres!

You do get a lot of opinions thrown your way and it's hard – you have to trust yourself. It really shouldn't matter what song you do if you pull it off and give it conviction. I hear songs I haven't heard before and if the performer amazes me, then it works.

Self-belief is really important. If you start doubting things, it's going to mess with your head. At the end of the day, you're here to perform and you need to be able to block everything else out.

Obviously this week there was stuff in the media about "me and Matt" . It was so ridiculous that you just have to laugh at it. He's 16 and I'm 21. We both have partners. He's two years older than my younger brother!  As long as you tell the people that really matter that it's false, that's all that counts. Everyone else can believe what they want and make up their own opinions.

If I only get one thing out of this, I hope it's a record contract. But if that's not going to happen, then… just getting people to know my songs. Know my name, and want to hear my songs.

-Brianna

First week in the Final 12

The highlight of the week was probably moving into Idol HQ. That thing is huge! It has lots of columns in it – it's sort of old style. There's a nice grand piano and six million bathrooms… and a spa and a pool… and a treadmill and a bike machine and a pretty kitchen.

I'm sharing a room with Holly and Natalie. Apparently Holly speaks in her sleep but because I'm partially deaf in one ear, it's never a problem for me to go to sleep! But Natalie told me she has already heard Holly talking in her sleep.

When we first moved in, everyone was running around being really excited. There's a music room in the house and some people were really loud and crazy in there, but everything's settled down now. There's so much space in the house that people have their own space if they need it.

I've really learnt to be patient. When I am at home, I am always "go, go, go," but here, you have to wait for things to happen sometimes and it's all quite structured, so I have learnt to be patient with that – and with other people. My little brother is 14 and I always get mad at him for just being young, and now I am living with people not far off his age. I think I will have more patience with him when I eventually go home.

I don't think I have made any big mistakes so far…  I was a bit iffy about my Regina Spektor song choice in the beginning, but once I got into it, I didn't think it was a mistake anymore.

I'm a bit fearful of Rock night and Disco night. I'm worried about not getting enough sleep too – I don't function well without sleep!

The best fan moments have been on the website. My Mum has told me that people have been suggesting songs and giving lists that I could do. The ideas have been absolutely spot on. I was so surprised that people could know so much about me already. They're seriously picking songs that I could do and have considered already!

We went to the premiere of Hairspray this week and went on the red carpet, which was actually… well, it was kinda weird. I am not sure if I liked it - it was so overwhelming. People wanted me to sign stuff and take photos with them, and it was just bizarre having people know my name and know who I was. It felt a bit surreal having them know me and kinda expecting me to know them in return, but of course I had no idea! As we walked down, there was just constant flashing by photographers, just like in the movies. I really felt like a movie star!

-Brianna

How does it feel to be in the Final 12?

When I found out I made it through to the Top 12 I was shocked - but very excited and happy.

I do feel like I am going to have to carry the banner of “the alternative one" but that's alright. I just want to keep it light and fun. I chose the Regina Spektor song for my first performance because it was an immediate statement. Straight away, I was letting the audience know, “She sings like that and she acts like this – that's the sort of artist she will be." I am very sure of what type of artist I want to be and I spent a long time getting my style sorted out.

Even though my parents convinced me to try out for Idol, I absolutely feel like it was the right time. I only had six months of my degree left to do in music producing and at the end of it, you have to put your degree into action yourself – they don't hand your career to you on a silver platter.

I've been surprised by how normal the judges are – they're just normal people! I take on board what the judges say if I think it is valid. Sometimes I might not agree with them at the time but when I watch it back later, I realise what they said was right. But if I think I performed the song really well then I need to be happy with that – or if they do a “googly goo" or something, then I will just completely disregard it.

I'm really looking forward to performing other people's songs because I haven't done that, ever! Oh, and my own as well of course. But I'm really having a good time researching other people's stuff.

Man, I've been recognised so much. It's OK… obviously it's nice. I am pretty distinctive looking in the sort of clothes I wear anyway, but now people look at the clothes and then they see me and sort of realise they've seen me on TV. Everyone's been really supportive.

We're all good friends – Holly and I are very close. And Sarah and I are really good friends too. Matt and I are close as well – we're probably the three that hang around the most. But you don't want to become too close to people because they might leave and I don't want to be sad all the time!

I think going forward in this competition you need to have strength, and strength of character too. You need to know what your style is and stick to it. You need patience because of all the waiting around. And energy… and to keep as happy as possible. Intelligence is also important – I just think you need to have your head screwed on so you can make informed choices – things like going to bed early, choosing the right songs and know who you're marketing yourself to.

Being away from home has allowed me to just focus on this – music. There are so many opportunities that can come out of being on this – everyone's has the chance to get something out of this if they make the most of it.

-Brianna