Katie 'kept head high' during X Factor

X Factor reject Katie Waissel has told how she had to block out revelations about her prostitute grandmother in order to concentrate on the TV show.

Waissel – who was given the boot by viewers last night – said she had to put the issue to one side and keep her “head high”.

The wannabe singer had been one of the show’s most controversial contestants, after being placed in the bottom two four times.

She was finally axed in a double eviction when the lowest placed act was dropped from the show last night. Brazilian singer Wagner Carrilho was also evicted when he failed to survive the sing-off.

Waissel was left reeling just days ago when it emerged that her grandmother, Sheila Vogel, had been working as a prostitute and starred in a pornographic film at the age of 81.

Speaking about her grandmother for the first time, Waissel told ITV1’s This Morning: “It’s a personal and private matter so I separated that from the competition and I’ve kept my head high.”

She said she had spoken to her grandmother but had not been enlightened about why she belatedly moved into prostitution.

“There wasn’t really an explanation. I just think, in life, stuff happens, and life is too short. You just have to pick yourself up and deal with things.”

Waissel – who performed Kings Of Leon hit Sex On Fire on Saturday night but failed to chime with viewers – said she is now looking forward to the rest of her career.

“I’m performing at (London club night) G.A.Y. on Saturday night and I’m so excited for that.

“And I write and play piano and stuff so I’d like to focus on writing – and I’ve got the tour to look forward to – the X Factor tour.”

She added: “I’d like to make a record, that would be wonderful.”

Waissel said she was nervous about stepping out in public again now she was finished with the show after negative feedback and apparent death threats.

“I’m a little nervous because we’ve been kept in this bubble for such a long period of time, protected. But I just feel like this is a new chapter and again keep my head held high.

“It’s a weird one because I don’t want to think about it too much.”