Drew Ryniewicz is no longer a contestant on The X Factor. She was surprisingly eliminated last night, following Tuesday’s seated cover of “Billie Jean.”
But there is a bright side for the 14-year old singer: her musical hero, Justin Bieber, gave Drew a shout-out soon after the results show came to an end.
“@drewryniewicz keep your head up,” Justin wrote. “I lost my first competition too. this is just the beginning for u. never say never. best wishes.”
On a conference call with reporters this morning, meanwhile, Ryniewicz said she’s come to more peace with her elimination than her mentor, Simon Cowell.
“He feels guilty,” Drew said. “I don’t think he should feel guilty at all because I got to the top 7. Not everybody can win this show, and he has two girls left representing him.”
Overall, Drew refers to The X Factor as “the greatest experience of my life,” adding:
“And everyone’s going to be going home, whether they’re the winner or someone else, in the next few weeks. So for me to have made it this far is an honor. For me to be on the first X Factor [in the] U.S.A. and, you know, just to be able to say that I’ve worked with Simon Cowell, and I’m best friends with Melanie and Rachel Crow.”
It’s certainly not a bad position to be in. We wish Drew all the best.