Once homeless after her family were torn apart by her father's battle with bi-polar disorder, Kim Cooper's never-say-die attitude saw her hitting a high note as a top 12 finalist. Despite being voted out last night, the Queensland rock chick says her career in music has only just begun. WHO caught up with the down-to-earth 21-year-old to talk life inside the Idol house, what's next for her career and those dating rumours.

Did you have an inkling you were leaving?

I just had to look at the caliber of artists I was up against and realise my time had to come soon. They are just that good.

Do you wish you'd done anything differently last week?

I wish I'd challenged myself more, as the song I performed ended up different from my initial vision for it.

How did you celebrate post-show?

I'm so boring—my grandma and grandpa were up from Melbourne and I had a cup of tea with them. It was so civilised. But that's me — I hardly went out on Friday and Saturday nights during Idol. Usually I'd go out have a pizza and would be home within 45 minutes, having a cup of tea.

Do you have any regrets?

The one thing I do regret is that it was hard to get my personality across. When I'm on stage it's such a persona — I dress up and I wear lipstick and it's all very big — but behind the scenes I'm a lot more dressed down and relaxed. I look back at my Idol journey and I realise I got the artist across, but not the realness of my personality. However, I never thought I was going to win Idol. I came here for an amazing personal growth experience. The only thing I shed a tear about was when I left the Idol house this morning. It's devastating leaving all my friends.

When are you your most comfortable?

At home in my PJs with moisturiser on and a cup of tea!

Which judge did you disagree with most?

I didn't agree with Jay Dee's comment that I was just there to be a celebrity, but I respect that's his opinion. I feel a sense of disappointment in myself that I wasn't able to get across a better image of myself to him.

Liza Minnelli mentored you this week. Did you know who she was before the show?

Oh, I did. I was meant to sing "All That Jazz" so I knew exactly who she was. She is just amazing. She performs with the greatest intensity and her eyes look into your soul. Meeting her was one of the highlights of my life. She is Hollywood and Broadway royalty! She just lights up the room and is so giving. You expect someone like that to need their space, but she was like, "Come into my space and hug me!" I had my one-on-one package with her and she said she could tell I really wanted this and told people backstage that I had a lot of musicality in me, which was great.

What goes on in the Idol house?

Oh man, wrestling, constantly! I don't have brothers so I've never seen such boisterous boys. We'll be sitting on the couch and all of a sudden Stan just jumps on James and it's this all-in brawl, then Hayley gets me by the neck and is dragging me off. My friends and I don't behave like that. I was so shocked! But we had a ball; we're like brothers and sisters. I feel like a big sister to Hayley and I love her so much.

Who did you get closest too?

Nathan, Stan and James. Nathan was my bestie. He's so sweet and I just adore him. I got big hugs and kisses from everyone and I left a note on their beds to let them know how much I love them. The good thing is it's only two weeks until the grand final, so it won't be long until I see them.

Is anyone being fake?

No, I don’t think you can get away with being fake on the show. It's going to come across. In fact, I think people's guards are starting to drop and they're coming into themselves on camera.

Do you worry you revealed too much about yourself during the course of the show?

No, I think everything I revealed about myself was honest and had a purpose. I spoke about my dad's battle with Bi-Polar disorder with a sense of pride and my life story wouldn't make sense without speaking about it.

Do you have a boyfriend?

I've been on and off with someone the past three and a half years.

What about rumours you are dating some of your Idol housemates and Tim's admission he had a crush on you?
Oh, completely fabricated! It was really frustrating because it was just me! It became a bit of a running joke. One minute I'm with Scott, the next minute I'm with James and then I'm hooking onto Ruby Rose!

What's next for you?

I'm going back to Townsville, because that's where my support network and house is. And I have a project in the pipeline with a female artist, but we prefer not to talk about it until it's up and going. I will say she's an amazing DJ. I want to concentrate on landing a good job so I can fund my music. Something in radio or TV so I can keep my creative juices flowing.

Do the contestants get approached with offers during Idol?

No, we don't. That all happens afterwards.

Who do you think will win?

I think Stan will win, because he's such an amazing human being and I think the public can tell that. He's got the whole package: great looks, great voice and amazing soul.

Australian Idol airs Sundays, 7.30 pm, on Network Ten