Tonight was The X Factor Grand Final and I was very privileged to be asked to open the entire show with a special performance involving a huge python, some amazing dancers and the top 11 contestants!
Read on and I will take you through the lead up to the big show including backstage, on stage, rehearsals and getting up close and personal with Bailey the python!
Day 1:
I arrived at stage 5 at Fox Studios for day 1 of rehearsals for the big Grand Final opening performance. The dancers and I spent a few hours learning choreography and rehearsing with the shows creative directors, The Squared Division.
Day 2:
Back to Fox Studios for a very early morning of rehearsals and a directors run through with all top 11 contestants including Samantha Jade, The Collective, Jason Owen, Bella Ferraro, Nathaniel Willemse, Fourtunate, What About Tonight, Shiane Hawke, Angel Tupai, Carmelo Minzone and Justin Standley.
Props backstage. The giant skull for my opening sequence
Day 3:
I arrived bright and early to the set for a morning technical rehearsal, camera run through and to meet Bailey, the python I was going to be working with for my performance on the show!
I was so excited and slightly anxious to finally get to hold the huge python with only hours before he and I were going on stage live! Bailey is a 10 year old, 2.5m albino Burmese python and is the only one of his kind in Australia! Upon our first encounter I was a little uncomfortable with him constantly slithering around my face and his little tongue touching me, but the more I held him the more comfortable and confident I grew with him.
Next it was in to hair and makeup for hours and hours with my favourite team Martin Bray and Lores Giglio. Martin was feeling inspired by the python in my performance so my head was airbrushed multiple colours to create an almost rainbow effect and netting placed over my face to create the lines for the snake scales to be drawn on. I was then decorated with various colours of glitter and diamantes to add extra sparkle. My nails were painted a midnight blue colour and dipped in holographic green glitter, and to finish the look off the top of my plait and the back of my head was painted with a mixture of hair gel and pink, green and blue glitter!
In hair and makeup with Martin Bray
It was almost show time so the cast and crew grabbed a quick bite to eat for dinner in the catering tent, then we all went in to wardrobe to get our costumes on. I wore a specially made black lace catsuit over a black bra and high-waisted black underwear.
Backstage ready to perform
Backstage with Samantha Jade
Bailey in his box resting before we go on stage
It's show time! I opened the Grand Final show after being revealed behind a giant skull adorned with roses which was raised up to the ceiling and performed with the white and yellow python. My contortion moves had to be altered due to the handlers requirements for the snake which included not moving too quickly or moving the snake around too much, so the original routine which included a lot more skills was adjusted before going on stage but even though we couldn't do the full routine Bailey the python was great and looked fantastic! I absolutely loved working with him!!
The top 11 contestants, the dancers and I performed to the song On The Floor. It was a great opening number and even featured the ceiling pouring rain down over the dancers!
After the show the judges came backstage and Natalie Bassingthwaighte even held Bailey too.
With Guy Sebastian
With Mel B
With Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Backstage with Nathaniel Willemse
Bella Ferraro giving kisses to Bailey the python
I had a great time on The X factor and after a long 13 hour day I could not wait to get home and get to bed! Let's not even talk about how long it took me to get that makeup off!
