''
The X Factor
''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003 ...
'' was an
Australian television
Television in Australia began experimentally as early as 1929 in Melbourne with radio stations 3DB and 3UZ, and 2UE in Sydney, using the ''Radiovision'' system by Gilbert Miles and Donald McDonald, and later from other locations, such as Bris ...
reality music competition, based on the
original British version, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received a
Sony Music Australia
Sony Music Entertainment Australia is the predominant record label operated by American parent company Sony Music Entertainment in Australia. SMEA also formerly published and distributed video games in Australia & New Zealand on behalf of Sony ...
recording contract.
The eighth season, branded as ''X Factor: Next Generation'', premiered on
Seven Network
The Seven Network (commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is a major Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, and is one of ...
on 3 October 2016.
Jason Dundas
Jason Dundas (born 25 July 1982) is an Australian-born television presenter, actor, producer and director, known for his roles as special correspondent for CBS's '' Entertainment Tonight'', the host of ''The X Factor Australia'' in 2016, host ...
replaced
Luke Jacobz
Luke Jacobz (born Luke Jacob Ashwood; 14 February 1981) is an Australian actor and television presenter.
Career
He appeared in a high school production of ''The Man of Steel'' in 1995. He came to public attention when he starred as Zac Croft f ...
as host; with the judging panel consisting of
Mel B
Melanie Janine Brown (born 29 May 1975), commonly known as Melanie B or Mel B, is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the girl group Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Sc ...
,
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian (born 26 October 1981) is an Australian singer and songwriter who was the winner of the first '' Australian Idol'' in 2003, judge on Australia's ''The X Factor'' from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2016, and coach ...
,
Iggy Azalea
Amethyst Amelia Kelly (born 7 June 1990), known professionally as Iggy Azalea (), is an Australian rapper. At the age of 16, Azalea moved from Australia to the United States in order to pursue a career in music. Azalea earned public recognitio ...
and
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer and songwriter. Since 2009, he has sold over 3 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide. Lambert is known for his dynamic vocal performances that fuse his theatrical tra ...
. 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 and only time.
Judges and host
In February 2016, reports claimed that
Seven Network
The Seven Network (commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is a major Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, and is one of ...
was mulling over whether or not to delay the series' planned season 8 until 2017. It was later confirmed that ''The X Factor'' would return in 2016.
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane Minogue () is an Australian singer, television personality, and actress. She initially gained recognition for her appearances on the television show ''Young Talent Time'' (1982–1988) and for her role as Emma Jackson on th ...
reported that she would not be returning to the programme after three series on the judging panel.
On 12 June 2016,
Iggy Azalea
Amethyst Amelia Kelly (born 7 June 1990), known professionally as Iggy Azalea (), is an Australian rapper. At the age of 16, Azalea moved from Australia to the United States in order to pursue a career in music. Azalea earned public recognitio ...
was announced as
Chris Isaak
Christopher Joseph Isaak (born June 26, 1956) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional actor. He is widely known for his breakthrough hit and signature song "Wicked Game", as well as other songs such as "Blue Hotel", "Baby D ...
's replacement, with
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian (born 26 October 1981) is an Australian singer and songwriter who was the winner of the first '' Australian Idol'' in 2003, judge on Australia's ''The X Factor'' from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2016, and coach ...
. The following day,
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer and songwriter. Since 2009, he has sold over 3 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide. Lambert is known for his dynamic vocal performances that fuse his theatrical tra ...
was confirmed to be the third judge for season 8 replacing
James Blunt
James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount; 22 February 1974) is an English singer, songwriter and musician. A former reconnaissance officer in the Life Guards regiment of the British Army, he served under NATO during the 1999 Kosovo War. After l ...
. On 11 October 2016, shortly before the three-seat challenge, former judge
Mel B
Melanie Janine Brown (born 29 May 1975), commonly known as Melanie B or Mel B, is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the girl group Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Sc ...
was announced as the "underdog judge" also to replace Minogue, 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.
On 24 November 2015,
Luke Jacobz
Luke Jacobz (born Luke Jacob Ashwood; 14 February 1981) is an Australian actor and television presenter.
Career
He appeared in a high school production of ''The Man of Steel'' in 1995. He came to public attention when he starred as Zac Croft f ...
announced on his Twitter account that he would not be returning as the host for the eighth season in 2016. On 25 June 2016,
Jason Dundas
Jason Dundas (born 25 July 1982) is an Australian-born television presenter, actor, producer and director, known for his roles as special correspondent for CBS's '' Entertainment Tonight'', the host of ''The X Factor Australia'' in 2016, host ...
was announced as Jacobz's replacement.
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
Geelong ( ) (Wathawurrung: ''Djilang''/''Djalang'') is a port city in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, located at the eastern end of Corio Bay (the smaller western portion of Port Phillip Bay) and the left bank of Barwon River, ...
and concluded on 21 May 2016 in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
.
Judges' auditions
Judges' auditions took at
Sydney Olympic Park
Sydney Olympic Park is a suburb of Greater Western Sydney, located 13 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Parramatta Council. It is commonly known as Olympic Park but officially na ...
from 29 June to 1 July and again from 5 to 6 July 2016.
Bootcamp
Bootcamp was briefly shown during the last audition episode, where the judges found out which category they would mentor. Once the judges found out their categories, they had each of their acts sing acapella for their judge and once everyone sang, the category judge narrowed their category down to 12 acts who would move on to the Three Chair Challenge.
Three seat challenge
The three seat challenge round of the competition was held at the
Sydney Olympic Park
Sydney Olympic Park is a suburb of Greater Western Sydney, located 13 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Parramatta Council. It is commonly known as Olympic Park but officially na ...
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:
: – Act was immediately eliminated after performance without given a seat
: – Act was given a seat but swapped out later in the competition and eventually eliminated
: – Act was given a seat and made the final three of their own category
: – Act did not make the final three of their own category but was later saved by Mel B
Acts
Key:
: – Winner
: – Runner-Up
*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. Initially, ten live shows were planned, but they had to be cut down to five, apparently due to the scheduling conflicts.
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian (born 26 October 1981) is an Australian singer and songwriter who was the winner of the first '' Australian Idol'' in 2003, judge on Australia's ''The X Factor'' from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2016, and coach ...
mentored the Over 22s,
Iggy Azalea
Amethyst Amelia Kelly (born 7 June 1990), known professionally as Iggy Azalea (), is an Australian rapper. At the age of 16, Azalea moved from Australia to the United States in order to pursue a career in music. Azalea earned public recognitio ...
mentored the Groups and
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer and songwriter. Since 2009, he has sold over 3 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide. Lambert is known for his dynamic vocal performances that fuse his theatrical tra ...
mentored the 14-21s.
Mel B
Melanie Janine Brown (born 29 May 1975), commonly known as Melanie B or Mel B, is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the girl group Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Sc ...
was announced as the mentor of the Underdogs category, where she chose three acts who were eliminated in the three-seat challenge, join her category; the contestants of this category were not revealed until the first live show. The live shows concluded on 21 November 2016, where this would be the final episode of ''The X Factor'' to be aired, as the programme had to be cancelled in January 2017 due to the declining ratings.
Results summary
;Colour key
Act in Team Mel B
Act in Team Guy
Act in Team Iggy
Act in Team Adam
: – Act in the bottom two and had to perform again in the final showdown
: – Act was in the bottom three but received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
: – Act received the fewest public votes and was immediately eliminated (no final showdown)
Notes
*
1 In week 1, one act from each category was eliminated, hence each category was ranked individually.
*
2 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
"Battle Scars" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Guy Sebastian and American rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was released digitally in Australia and New Zealand on 10 August 2012 by Sony Music Entertainment.[Fancy
Fancy may refer to:
Places
* Fancy, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a settlement
* Fancy River, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Music Albums
* ''Fancy'' (Bobbie Gentry album), 1970
* ''Fancy'' (Idiot Flesh album), 1997
* ''Fancy'' (video ...]
"/"
Whataya Want from Me
"Whataya Want from Me" is a song by American recording artist and ''American Idol'' eighth season runner-up Adam Lambert from his debut studio album, '' For Your Entertainment''. It was released as the second single from the album. The song pea ...
"/"
Wannabe
"Wannabe" is the debut single by English girl group the Spice Girls. Written and composed by the group members in collaboration with Matt Rowe and Richard "Biff" Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produ ...
"
* Celebrity performers:
Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Hilda Mauboy (born 4 August 1989) is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. Born and raised in Darwin, Northern Territory, she rose to fame in 2006 on the fourth season of ''Australian Idol'', where she was runner-up and subseq ...
("
Flame Trees
"Flame Trees" is a song by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel from their 1984 album ''Twentieth Century''. One of their best known songs, it was written by drummer Steve Prestwich and keyboardist Don Walker. On its release it reached No.&nb ...
")
and
Zara Larsson
Zara Maria Larsson (, ; born 16 December 1997) is a Swedish pop singer. In 2008, at the age of 10, she won the second season of the talent show '' Talang'', the Swedish version of the ''Got Talent'' format. Since then she has received recogni ...
("
Ain't My Fault
"Ain't My Fault" is a song by Swedish singer Zara Larsson. It was released on 2 September 2016, by TEN Music Group, Epic Records, and Sony Music, as the third single from her second and international debut studio album, '' So Good''. The officia ...
")
One act from each category was eliminated from the competition after the first show, as voted by viewers
Week 2 (30/31 October)
* Theme: Judges' Makeovers (Free Choice)
* Group performance: "Money Maker" with Throttle,
LunchMoney Lewis
Gamal Kosh Lewis (born January 11, 1988), better known as LunchMoney Lewis, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his 2015 single " Bills", which topped the charts in Australia and peaked within t ...
and
Aston Merrygold
Aston Iain Merrygold (born 13 February 1988) is an English singer, dancer, television personality and actor. He is known for being a member of the British boy band JLS, who were the runners-up to Alexandra Burke in the fifth series of ''The X ...
* Celebrity performers:
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert (born January 29, 1982) is an American singer and songwriter. Since 2009, he has sold over 3 million albums and 5 million singles worldwide. Lambert is known for his dynamic vocal performances that fuse his theatrical tra ...
("
Evil In The Night") and
Shawn Mendes
Shawn Peter Raul Mendes (; born August 8, 1998) is a Canadian pop singer. He gained a following in 2013, when he posted song covers on the video sharing platform Vine. The following year, he caught the attention of artist manager Andrew Gert ...
("
Mercy
Mercy (Middle English, from Anglo-French ''merci'', from Medieval Latin ''merced-'', ''merces'', from Latin, "price paid, wages", from ''merc-'', ''merxi'' "merchandise") is benevolence, forgiveness, and kindness in a variety of ethical, relig ...
")
;Judges' vote to eliminate
* Mel B: AYA – backed her own act, Beatz.
* Azalea: Beatz – backed her own act, AYA.
* Lambert: Beatz – said AYA had stronger vocals.
* Sebastian: AYA – could not decide and sent the result to deadlock.
With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. AYA were eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.
Week 3: Quarter-Final (6/7 November)
* Theme: Viewers' Choice
* Guest mentors:
Dami Im
Dami Im ( , , ; born October 17, 1988) is a South Korean-born Australian singer and songwriter. She represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 held in Stockholm, Sweden with the song " Sound of Silence", placing second and ach ...
, Jess & Matt,
Samantha Jade
Samantha Jade Gibbs (born 18 April 1987) is an Australian singer and songwriter. She has written tracks for artists including JoJo and Ashley Tisdale. In 2012, Jade won the fourth season of ''The X Factor Australia'', the first woman to win ...
,
Jai Waetford
Jai Waetford (born 25 January 1999) is an Australian pop singer and songwriter who came third on the fifth season of ''The X Factor Australia''. He subsequently signed with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single " Your Eyes", whic ...
,
Cyrus
Cyrus (Persian: کوروش) is a male given name. It is the given name of a number of Persian kings. Most notably it refers to Cyrus the Great ( BC). Cyrus is also the name of Cyrus I of Anshan ( BC), King of Persia and the grandfather of Cyrus t ...
and
Taylor Henderson
Taylor James Henderson (born 23 March 1993) is an Australian singer and songwriter. Originating from Ceres, Victoria, Henderson rose to fame after placing third on the fourth series of ''Australia's Got Talent'' in 2010. Three years later, h ...
* Group performance: "
Sound of Silence"
* Celebrity performers: Dami Im ("
Fighting for Love"),
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian (born 26 October 1981) is an Australian singer and songwriter who was the winner of the first '' Australian Idol'' in 2003, judge on Australia's ''The X Factor'' from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2015 to 2016, and coach ...
("
Set in Stone"),
Disturbed
Disturbed may refer to:
Books
* ''Disturbed'', a 2011 novel by Kevin O'Brien (author)
Film and TV
* ''Disturbed'' (film), a 1990 film starring Malcolm McDowell
* "Disturbed" (''Numb3rs''), a 2009 episode of ''Numb3rs''
* "The Disturbed", a 20 ...
("
The Sound of Silence")
The viewers were given the power to choose this week's songs.
Dundas confirmed during Sunday's live show that this week would be a double elimination.
;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 – could not decide and sent the result to deadlock.
With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Chynna Taylor was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.
Week 4: Semi-Final (13/14 November)
* Theme: Killer Tracks & Curveballs
* Group performance: "
Wings
A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expresse ...
"
* Celebrity performers:
Little Mix
Little Mix are a British girl group, composed of group members Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, and Perrie Edwards. Jesy Nelson was originally part of the group before she left in 2020. After becoming the first group to win the British ver ...
("
Shout Out to My Ex
"Shout Out to My Ex" is a song recorded by British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 16 October 2016 by Syco Music, as the lead single from the group's fourth studio album '' Glory Days (''2016). A dance-pop and power pop song, it wa ...
"),
Samantha Jade
Samantha Jade Gibbs (born 18 April 1987) is an Australian singer and songwriter. She has written tracks for artists including JoJo and Ashley Tisdale. In 2012, Jade won the fourth season of ''The X Factor Australia'', the first woman to win ...
&
Cyrus Villanueva
Cyrus Villanueva (born 20 June 1996), also known mononymously as Cyrus, is an Australian singer from Wollongong, New South Wales. He is best known for winning the seventh season of ''The X Factor Australia'' in 2015. His debut studio album ''Cy ...
("
Hurt Anymore
"Hurt Anymore" is a song by Australian recording artists Samantha Jade and Cyrus, released as a single on 4 November 2016 through Sony Music Australia, The music video premiered on VEVO on November 29, 2016.
Background and recording
"Hurt Anymore ...
") and
The Veronicas
The Veronicas is an Australian pop duo from Brisbane. The group was formed in 2004 by identical twin sisters Lisa and Jessica Origliasso.
In 2005, the Veronicas released their debut studio album, titled '' The Secret Life of...'', which peak ...
("
On Your Side")
For the first time this season, the contestants will sing two songs each.
;Judges' vote to send through
* Lambert: Vlado – went with his gut.
* Azalea: Vlado – has said multiple times Vlado was 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 and did not say how she would have voted as both acts were in her category.
Week 5: Final (20/21 November)
;20 November
* Theme: Showstoppers & Duets
* Celebrity performer:
James Arthur
James Arthur (born 2 March 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after winning the ninth series of ''The X Factor'' in 2012. His debut single, a cover of Shontelle's "Impossible", was released by Syco Music after the fin ...
("
Safe Inside
"Safe Inside" is a song by British singer and songwriter James Arthur. The song was released as a digital download on 10 February 2017 in the United Kingdom by Columbia Records as the second single from his second studio album ''Back from the Edge ...
")
;21 November
* Theme: Winner's Songs
* Group performances:
** "
Final Song
"Final Song" is a song by Danish singer and songwriter MØ. It was released on 13 May 2016 for her second studio album, ''Forever Neverland'', but was only included on the Japanese release of the album. The song was written and composed by MØ a ...
" (Top 12)
** "
Heroes (We Could Be)
"Heroes (We Could Be)" is a song by Swedish DJ and record producer Alesso, featuring the vocals of Swedish singer Tove Lo. Released on 22 August 2014, the song has charted in a number of countries. In the US, the song went to number one on the danc ...
" (Top 12)
* Celebrity performers:
Charli XCX
Charlotte Emma Aitchison (born 2 August 1992), known professionally as Charli XCX, is an English singer and songwriter. Born in Cambridge and raised in Start Hill, Essex, she began posting songs on Myspace in 2008, which led to her discovery ...
("
After the Afterparty
"After the Afterparty" is a single by British singer Charli XCX featuring American rapper Lil Yachty. It was released on 28 October 2016 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records UK intended as the lead single from XCX's scrapped third studio album, ...
"),
Tove Lo
Ebba Tove Elsa Nilsson (born 29 October 1987), known professionally as Tove Lo (), is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She has been called "Sweden's darkest pop export" by ''Rolling Stone.'' She is known for her raw, grunge-influenced take o ...
("
Cool Girl
"Cool Girl" is a song recorded by Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Lo for her second studio album ''Lady Wood'' (2016). Lo co-wrote the song with its producers Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg, who are known collectively as The Struts. The t ...
"),
Tori Kelly
Victoria Loren Kelly (born December 14, 1992) is an American singer-songwriter, and voice actress. She first gained recognition after posting videos on YouTube as a teenager, and made it through to Hollywood week on the ninth season of ''Americ ...
("Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing") and
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer and songwriter. He found fame as a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995, and achieved commercial success after launching a solo career in 1996. His debut stud ...
("
Love My Life")
Reception
Ratings
Ratings data is from
OzTAM
OzTAM is an Australian audience measurement research firm that collects and markets television ratings data. It is jointly owned by the Seven Network, the Nine Network and Network Ten, and is the official source of television ratings data for al ...
and represents the average viewership from the 5 largest Australian metropolitan centres (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide).
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:X Factor (Australia season 8)
2016 Australian television seasons
Australia 08
Season 8
A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In tempera ...
2016 in Australian music