X Factor 2016: Finnish Saara Aalto thinks that she was in the bottom two because she is foreign

X Factor hopeful Saara Aalto has opened up about why she thinks she was in the bottom two following the first live show of the ITV series, speculating that it could be because she isn’t English.

The Finnish singer was up against duo Bratavio for Sunday night’s sing-off, but managed to make it to week two after her mentor, Sharon Osbourne, and judges Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell opted to save her.

Now Saara has taken to Instagram to give her take on Sunday night’s events, writing: “These last 4 days feel like the longest days of my life. So many things happened and now I’m just looking back feeling so grateful about everything!

“I got to perform on that amazing stage and got to work with the best people in the industry. I loved my version of Let it Go. We had the “express yourself” week and I think that was the best song to show who I am.

“And though after a super hard week I was tired, I think I was able to nail the performance, and because of the audience, I excelled myself. It was the best moment ever.”

She continued: “I still wasn’t surprised being in the bottom two. It was pretty logical, because I don’t have a home town in England supporting me. But I hope that gradually I will win the hearts of British people and they will get to know me.

“Let’s do this together people! I can’t do this by myself.”

Saara previously got a negative reaction from the live studio audience during the Six Chair Challenge, when she was given a second chance to perform and opted to sing a French song.

The audience booed the hopeful and Sharon didn’t give her a spot in Judges’ Houses, however, she was brought back by Nicole as Sharon’s Wildcard, with Mrs. O eventually deciding to give her a shot at the live shows.

Earlier this week, Saara shared a photo of herself waving the Union Jack flag with the caption: “I am so British now! I feel like home here and I wanna stay. I need your support!”

The X Factor returns to our screens on Saturday, with the contestants singing ‘Motown’ tracks.