The X Factor (Australia season 8)

The X Factor
Series 8
Broadcast from	3 October (2016-10-03) – 21 November 2016 (2016-11-21)
Judges	Guy Sebastian Iggy Azalea Adam Lambert Mel B
Presenter(s)	Jason Dundas
Broadcaster	Seven Network
Winner
Isaiah Firebrace
Origin	Moama, New South Wales
Song	"It's Gotta Be You"
Genre(s)	Pop
Mentor	Adam Lambert
Runner-up
Davey Woder

The X Factor is an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a Sony Music Australia recording contract.^[1] The eighth season, branded as X Factor: Next Generation, premiered on Seven Network on 3 October 2016.^[2] Jason Dundas replaced Luke Jacobz as host; with the judging panel consisting of Guy Sebastian, Iggy Azalea, Adam Lambert and Mel B. The winner was Isaiah Firebrace and his winner's single "It's Gotta Be You" was released after the final. He was mentored by Lambert, who won as mentor for the first time.

Judges and host

Judging panel

Mel B

Guy Sebastian

Iggy Azalea

Adam Lambert

In February 2016, reports claimed that Seven Network was mulling over whether or not to delay the series' planned eighth season until 2017.^[3] It was later confirmed that The X Factor will return in 2016.^[4]

Dannii Minogue reported that she would not be returning to the programme after three series on the judging panel.^[4] On 12 June 2016, Iggy Azalea was announced as her replacement.^[5] On 20 June, Guy Sebastian revealed that he would be returning to the show for his fifth season as a judge.^[6] The following day, Adam Lambert was confirmed to be the third judge for the eighth season.^[7] On 11 October 2016, shortly before the three-seat challenge, former judge Mel B was announced as the "underdog judge", after months of rumours, whereby three acts who failed to secure a seat in this challenge can be recruited by her for inclusion in the "underdogs" category.^[8]

On 24 November 2015, Luke Jacobz announced on his Twitter account that he would not be returning as the host for the eighth season in 2016.^[9] On 25 June 2016, Jason Dundas was announced as Jacobz's replacement.^[10]

Selection process

Open auditions in front of the show's producers took place in 17 cities and ran from 18 April to 21 May 2016.

Auditions

Open auditions

Open auditions began on 18 April in Geelong and concluded on 21 May 2016 in Melbourne.

Judges' auditions

Judges' auditions took at Sydney Olympic Park from 29 June to 1 July and again from 5 to 6 July 2016.

Three seat challenge

The three seat challenge (bootcamp) round of the competition was held at the Sydney Olympic Park between 28 and 29 July 2016. This will be a replacement as the super home visits used in previous seasons. Three acts who were not successful were recruited by underdog judge Mel B.

Key:

     – Contestant was immediately eliminated after performance without given a seat

     – Contestant was given a seat but swapped out later in the competition and eventually eliminated

     – Contestant was given a seat and made the final three of their own category

 Bold  – Contestant did not make the final three of their own category but was later saved by Mel B

Finalists

Key:

     – Winner

     – Runner-up

     – Third place

*AYA (originally named Chai) was previously known as Montage. Their name was changed a second time after the three-seat challenge.

Live shows

The live shows began airing on 23 October 2016. Lambert mentors the Under 22s, Azalea the Groups, Sebastian the Over 22s and Mel B the Underdogs category. This category was not revealed until the first live show was broadcast.^[11] The first live show marked the first live appearance of Lambert, Azalea and host Jason Dundas on The X Factor. The live shows will conclude on 21 November 2016.

Results summary

Colour key

     – Contestant announced as safe

     – Contestant in the bottom two/three and had to perform again in the final showdown

     – Contestant received the fewest public votes and was immediately eliminated (no final showdown)

Notes

• ¹ Mel B was not required to vote as there was already a Majority.

Live show details

Week 1 (23/24 October)

• Theme: Judges' Choice (Free Choice)
• Group performance: "Battle Scars"/"Fancy"/"Whataya Want from Me"/"Wannabe"
• Celebrity performers: Jessica Mauboy ("Flame Trees")^[16] and Zara Larsson ("Ain't My Fault")^[17]

One act from each category was eliminated from the competition after the first show, as voted by viewers^[18]

Week 2 (30/31 October)

• Theme: Judges' Makeovers (Free Choice)
• Group performance: "Money Maker" with Throttle, LunchMoney Lewis and Aston Merrygold^[19]
• Celebrity performers: Adam Lambert ("Evil In The Night") and Shawn Mendes ("Mercy")^[20]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Mel B: AYA – backed her own act, Beatz
• Azalea: Beatz – backed her own act, AYA
• Lambert: Beatz – said AYA have stronger vocals
• Sebastian: AYA – took vote to deadlock

With each act receiving two votes, the result was reverted to the earlier public vote. AYA received the fewest votes and were eliminated.

Week 3 (6/7 November)

• Theme: Viewers' Choice
• Guest mentors: Dami Im, Jess & Matt, Samantha Jade, Jai Waetford, Cyrus and Taylor Henderson
• Group performance: "Sound of Silence"
• Celebrity performers: Dami Im ("Fighting for Love"), Guy Sebastian ("Set in Stone"), Disturbed ("The Sound of Silence")

The viewers were given the power to choose this week's songs.^[21]

Dundas confirmed during Sunday's live show that this week would be an double elimination.^[22]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Sebastian: Beatz – backed his own act, Chynna Taylor
• Mel B: Chynna Taylor – backed her own act, Beatz
• Azalea: Chynna Taylor – wanted a group to stay in the competition
• Lambert: Beatz – took vote to deadlock

With each act receiving two votes, the result was reverted to the earlier public vote. Chynna Taylor received the fewest votes and was eliminated. With Brentwood's elimination, Azalea has no more acts left after Time and Place left in Week 1 and AYA left in Week 2.

Week 4: Semi-Final (13/14 November)

• Theme: Killer Tracks & Curveballs
• Group performance: "Wings"
• Celebrity performers: Little Mix ("Shout Out to My Ex"), Samantha Jade & Cyrus Villanueva ("Hurt Anymore") and The Veronicas ("On Your Side")^[24]

For the first time this season, the contestants will sing two songs each.

Judges' vote to send through

• Lambert: Vlado – said he had to "trust his gut"
• Azalea: Vlado – has said multiple times he is her favourite in the competition
• Sebastian: Vlado – also trusted his gut feeling
• Mel B: was not required to vote as there was already a majority

Week 5: Grand Final (20/21 November)

20 November

• Theme: Showstoppers & Duets
• Celebrity performer: James Arthur ("Safe Inside")

21 November

• Theme: Winner's Songs
• Group performances:
  • "Final Song" (Top 12)
  • "Heroes (We Could Be)" (Top 12)
• Celebrity performers: Charli XCX ("After the Afterparty"), Tove Lo ("Cool Girl"), Tori Kelly ("Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing") and Robbie Williams ("Love My Life")^[25]

Reception

Ratings

Ratings data is from OzTAM and represents the average viewership from the 5 largest Australian metropolitan centres (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide).

References