Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The boos rained down on Nicole Scherzinger after Rachel Crow was eliminated on The X Factor Thursday night.

But the show’s youngest contestant doesn’t blame Nicole for her ouster in fifth place, one week shy of the show’s semifinals.

“She was devastated,” Rachel said of Nicole, who was supposedly in tears long after the show ended. “I love her.  She’s got the biggest heart. She’s beautiful on the inside and the outside.

“I will hopefully always have a special spot in her heart,” Rachel continued, “because she has a special place in mine.”

Less than 24 hours after being collapsing on stage in tears at the news of her elimination, Rachel seemed in much better spirits talking to reporters Friday afternoon.

She said her reaction was in part because of “scared-ness,” the feeling of “what do I do now?”

In reality, there will probably be plenty the 13-year-old with the big voice can do.

While she never seemed the perfect candidate for a $5 million recording contract at her young age, it’s not difficult to envision her on Nickelodeon or Disney.

She says she has an interest in acting, and she did some comedy work pre-X Factor, which might partly explain her poise on stage at such a young age.

And Rachel says she’s learned a lot from her X Factor experience.

“I learned to stay true to who you are,” she said. “I learned how to control my vocals, more. I learned friends are made on TV shows. It’s very hard to go.”

The good news: “I’m known, finally. I’m not a nobody anymore.”