Have you had any sleep after your elimination?
No, I was out partying - after that Barry White number how could you not? But I've had a very early start doing Sunrise this morning, so there was a little extra make-up work!

Did you have an inkling your time was up?
We both did actually, and we thought if we're going to go out, let's go with a bang! You are your harshest critic and the worst thing would've been for me to go out disappointed in my performance - and trust me, there have been some of those! But last night I had fun, I felt in the moment, I wasn't shaking, and I had a great time.

Have you noticed an improvement in your singing?
Yeah, and to be honest last night was a really big turn-around for me. There was notes I would've previously shied away from but I thought, "Let's just hit it baby!" and with Adam's nurturing I had the confidence to just go there. Because it's tough; really nerve-wracking and much more challenging then I could've ever imagined.

Why did you decide to bare your soul on national TV?
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity - can you imagine looking back and have passed on an opportunity like this? And I'm in a rare position I can raise awareness for my charity, Camp Quality.

What's been the weirdest part of the whole experience?
The other day I was in a taxi, and the driver told me he wouldn't be able to watch the show this week and asked me to sing a few lines. I said, "No buddy, I can't do that!" and he said, "Yeah you can!" - and I just let it rip in the taxi. I never would've done that before!

What was the extent of your singing before the show?
I sang at school in the choir and musicals. But not since then, it's actually my 10-year high school reunion coming up so I've been hastily having singing lessons since!

Are you nervous about the big reunion?
Ten years is a big deal, but it's also kind of cool getting to go back and see what everyone's up to!

Is there a tune you wish you'd had the chance to sing on live TV?
I was really pumped to "Love Shack" by B-52s next week!

Who do you tip to win?
Kate Cebrano is beautiful. She's just all-woman, and the way she gives it on stage I just look at her in awe. I think her and Russell Robertson are going to go a fair way. However, it's a trifecta for me. Virginia [Gay] and Ian [Moss] are fabulous, and Julia Morris is absolutely hilarious - not to mention the voice.

Did the show require a lot of stamina?
I had no idea how emotionally and physically this would affect me. You're not just singing when you're on stage, and the judges want more and more each week and you're thinking, "How much more can I give - I'm baring my soul here!"

How has it affected you physically?
Candice [Falzon] and I share a greenroom and were speaking about it today. I asked her how she's feeling and she told me she's utterly exhausted. And I'm the same; I've never been so much so in my life. You're down in Melbourne three nights a week, flying back and forth to Sydney, rehearsing in between work. I know you're only on stage for a minute and 45 seconds, but so much preparation goes into it and you give it all you've got in the moment!

What's next for you?
I'm still very much on my learning curve with the news and live TV, which is a whole different ball game to presenting. And I'm lucky I've got the perfect balance - I get to do the weather, I get to do news updates, and I get to do the odd news story. So at the moment I couldn't ask for more. I'm enjoying every minute of it and focusing my skills there.

Do you get nervous in front of the camera?
I still really get that nervous feeling before I do my weather segment! I was speaking to Kylie Gilles and Mel Doyle and asked them if that feeling ever goes, and they said the minute it goes you shouldn't be there, because it's always great to have that nervous feeling! I mean, that's why you're there - you love that thrill of going on live TV!

Sarah's chosen charity is Camp Quality, campquality.org.au