EXCLUSIVE: The former contestant spills on being on the other side of the competition.

Ricki-Lee opens up about the downside of hosting Australian Idol as a former contestant. Photos: Channel Seven

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 21 years since Ricki-Lee was voted off Australian Idol. The shock elimination made national headlines and left fans devastated, with her eventual radio co-host Joel Creasey admitting he even took a day off school to recover.

Since that moment, the singer-songwriter has built an impressive career in the spotlight releasing five best-selling albums, touring around the world and working in radio. She’s also returned to the reality show that made her a household name, this time as co-host alongside Scott Tweedie.

Ricki-Lee tells Yahoo Lifestyle that even though she’s hosted the past five seasons of Australian Idol, it still feels “surreal” being on the other side of the competition.

“It’s like a physical thing that I feel in my body and every time I’m on that stage, every time I hear the music, it does things to me on a deep level,” she remarks.

“It’s never going to not be surreal that I’m part of the show. And I think every night when I was staring Marcia [Hines] in the face, it’s like, ‘Here we still are!’. It’s kind of crazy and amazing all at once.”

Ricki-Lee hosts Australian Idol alongside Scott Tweedie. Photo: Channel Seven

Ricki-Lee reveals ‘awful’ part of her job

Sunday night’s episode of Australian Idol will see the contestants whittled down from the Top 8 to the Top 6, which is exactly the point in the competition Ricki-Lee was sent home in season two.

Regardless of what stage it is, however, she admits it’s “really hard” being the person to announce the voting results and essentially crush someone’s dream when she was once in that same position.

“I think for me, the hardest thing is knowing how devastated I was when I went home when I’m the one that has to say someone’s name and tell them that they’re going home,” she shares.

“I didn’t expect that that was going to be hard, but the very first time I had to do it on our first season was just awful and it never gets easier. I really love this show and I really love doing this show and I love hosting and being a part of Australian Idol, the show that changed my life, but I really hate that part.”

‘I’m a bit of an example’

Speaking about voting, Ricki-Lee encourages viewers to get behind their favourites because there is often just “a handful of votes” between someone going home and someone staying in the competition.

“I think that what’s hard is that this season the talent is so good that no matter who goes every week, it’s sad and it’s hard and it’s devastating,” she remarks.

“People are getting behind their favourites, but I feel like I’m a bit of an example sometimes that you have to vote for your favourites and you have to vote for the people that you love.”