Have you had any sleep after your elimination?
I've had a few hours, but I'm doing fine!

Did you have an inkling your time was up?
A little bit. Each week you kind of think this could be the week - to get past the first couple of weeks was fantastic and everything else has been a bonus. To get to week seven is amazing.

Are you disappointed to leave so close to the finals?
Yes and no. It was a blessing in disguise to leave. I'm flying out today to do the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championship in Perth, and that's four days of competition. And next week they start singing two songs on the show so I really would've struggled getting rehearsals in!

Why did you go on the show?
Obviously to have lots of fun, and live out my childhood fantasy of being a rock star and a pop star! But also, I did it to show the public that I'm not how I've been perceived; to show them I'm really just a young female who loves to have fun, who loves to be sporty and who gives everything a shot, and hopefully over the weeks that's come across.

What was the extent of your singing before the show?
None, other than from the shower to my car!

Do you get nervous in front of the camera?
I was really nervous. Each week it got a little bit easier, but not by much. When you get on stage and the cameras are on you and they say you've got two minutes until you're on, you really feel sick; like you've been punched in the stomach. I was a stuttering mess most of the time!

Have you noticed an improvement in your singing?
Only a very slight one, but I've come this far and I'm happy with that!

Were you an Anthony Callea fan before the show?
Since meeting him and spending countless hours with him, I'm probably his biggest fan. I think it's because he's so diverse; he can pick up any song, any lyric and make it his own, and sound so amazing and spot on at any time of the day!

Have you been training hard for the Surf Life Saving Championship in between singing rehearsals?
I sure have. Whenever I've been in Melbourne I've been swimming at the Melbourne aquatic centre used for the Commonwealth Games. I also went running around Albert Park where they do the Grand Prix, and have just managed to squeeze it all in. I flew back to Sydney on weekends to compete, and just try to slip back into a normal life. I probably spend around 20 hours training a week and with rehearsals it's full on. Mondays we rehearse and Tuesday you're there from 9am until after the show. And even when you're not formally practising, you're always singing the song in your car, and as soon as you wake up in the morning the song is in your head!

Is there anything you've been missing with all your sports training and rehearsals?
You know what, I've just missed being at home in Sydney's Maroubra. I'm a real home girl. But at the same time, I've made some amazing friendships and I just wish it could go forever. I shared a dressing room with Chloe Maxwell and Sara Groen and we had a great time. We'd have a little dance to Chloe's iPod and we all got along extremely well.

Who do you tip to win?
I want Julia Morris to win but I'm not quite sure. It would be funny if Paul O'Brien won and I wouldn't be surprised if he made the top two! But all the way for Julia Morris - she's so funny. I've become really great friends with her. She's on all the time!

Can you share your beauty secret?
Sun block and zinc! Every day as soon as I wake up, no matter how hot, cold or overcast I put on zinc. I use Megan Gale's Invisible Zinc or this product called Rationalle. I'm a zinc girl. I'm not a sunbaker and I don't go to solariums but I'm always in the sun with training so I have to be careful with that. I always reapply and wear rash shirts because you know the tan might look fantastic now, but I worry when I get older I might look like that old lady from There's Something About Mary!

What is your ultimate goal in life?
To be honest, it's not work related, it's just to be happy and enjoy every moment and make the most of every opportunity, coz you never know what's around the corner

What's next for you?
I'll fly out to Perth and compete over in Scarborough, WA. Then I'll get back into training for the Coolangatta Gold in October. Competing is still my main focus, and I still have much more I want to achieve.

Candice's chosen charity is Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au