The X Factor (Australian TV series) season 8 explained

Image Upright:1.13
Module1:
Host:Jason Dundas
Winner:Isaiah Firebrace
Winner Mentor:Adam Lambert
Runner Up:Davey Woder
Network:Seven Network

The X Factor was an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original British version, to find new singing talent; the winner of which received 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 Mel B, Guy Sebastian, Iggy Azalea and Adam Lambert. 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 was mulling over whether or not to delay the series' planned season 8 until 2017.[3] It was later confirmed that The X Factor would return in 2016.

Dannii Minogue reported that she would not be returning to the programme after three series on the judging panel.[1] On 12 June 2016, Iggy Azalea was announced as Chris Isaak's replacement, with Guy Sebastian. The following day, Adam Lambert was confirmed to be the third judge for season 8 replacing James Blunt.[4] On 11 October 2016, shortly before the three-seat challenge, former judge Mel B 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.[5]

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.[6] On 25 June 2016, Jason Dundas 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 and concluded on 21 May 2016 in Melbourne.

CityDatesVenue
Geelong18 April 2016Novotel Geelong
Ballarat19 April 2016Mercure Ballarat
Bendigo20 April 2016All Seasons Bendigo
Wagga Wagga21 April 2016Commercial Club
Orange22 April 2016Orange Ex-Services Club
Gosford26 April 2016The Youth Arts Warehouse, Regional Youth Support Services Inc
Port Macquarie27 April 2016Rydges Port Macquarie
Gold Coast30 April 2016Brisbane Sofitel
Toowoomba2 May 2016Burke & Wills Hotel
Bundaberg3 May 2016Brothers Sports Club
Sydney7 May 2016Sydney Olympic Park
Cairns11 May 2016Shangri-La Hotel
Darwin13 May 2016Oaks Elan Darwin
Perth15 May 2016Parmelia Hilton Perth
Bunbury17 May 2016Mercure Sanctuary Resort
Adelaide19 May 2016AAMI Stadium
Melbourne21 May 2016Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Center

Judges' auditions

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

CityDatesVenue
Sydney29 June to 1 July 2016Sydney Olympic Park
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 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 top three of their own category

– Act did not make the top three of their own category but was later saved by Mel B

+ Contestants performances on the three-seat challengeEpisode Category (mentor) Act Order Song Mentor's decision Swapped with
Episode 6
14-21s (Lambert)Isaiah Firebrace1"If I Ain't Got You"Put in seat 1
Episode 7
Bailey Spalding2"Heroes"Put in seat 2
Maddison Milewski3"Who Wants to Live Forever"Put in seat 3
Benny Nelson4"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"Eliminated
James Kernick5"If I Ain't Got You" <-- linked above -->Eliminated
Veronica Bravo6"Should've Been Us"Eliminated
Vlado Saric7"Wildest Dreams"Put in seat 3Maddison Milewski
Janae Rosa8"I'd Rather Go Blind"Eliminated
Mi-kaisha Masella9"Sledgehammer"Eliminated
Ivy Adara10"Remind Me"Put in seat 3Vlado Saric
Amalia Foy11 "Piece by Piece"Put in seat 2Bailey Spalding
Natalie Ong12"I'd Rather Go Blind" <-- linked above -->Put in seat 3Ivy Adara
Episode 8
Groups (Azalea)Beatz13"Me Too"Put in seat 1
Fifth Element14"FourFiveSeconds"Eliminated
Brentwood15"Lush Life"Put in seat 2
IndiElla16"Don't Worry About Me"Put in seat 3
Aroza17"See You Again"Eliminated
The Dennis Sisters18"Fire and the Flood"Eliminated
FD319"Waiting for a Star to Fall"Eliminated
Time & Place20"You Don't Know Love"Put in seat 3IndiElla
Montage21"Break Free"Put in seat 1Beatz
Episode 9
Over 22s (Sebastian)Ruby Mills22"When We Were Young"Put in seat 1
Calvin Orosa23"Can't Stop the Feeling!"Put in seat 2
Davey Woder24"Stand by Me"Put in seat 3
Trojahn Tuna25"Send My Love (To Your New Lover)"Eliminated
Stevie-Leigh26"California Dreamin'"Eliminated
Josh27"Human"Eliminated
Omar Terzic28"To Love Somebody"Eliminated
Naisa Lasalosi29"Love Me Harder"Put in seat 2Calvin Orosa
Zebulen Howell30"Stole the Show"Put in seat 1Ruby Mills
Miss Powers31"Fame"Eliminated
Dave Stergo32"Running Up That Hill"Eliminated
Chynna Taylor33"My Hero"Put in seat 2Naisa Lasalosi
Timmy Knowles34"Love on the Brain"Put in seat 1Zebulen Howell

Acts

Key:

– Winner

– Runner-up

ActAge(s)HometownCategory (mentor)Result
Isaiah Firebrace17Portland, Victoria14-21s (Lambert)Winner
Davey Woder34Logan, QueenslandOver 22s (Sebastian)Runner-up
Vlado17SydneyUnderdogs (Mel B)3rd place
Amalia Foy14Melbourne14-21s (Lambert)4th place
BEATZ19–22SydneyUnderdogs (Mel B)5th place
Chynna Taylor26Corpus Christi, Texas, United States/South Coast, New South WalesOver 22s (Sebastian)6th place
Brentwood25 & 29New Zealand/MelbourneGroups (Azalea)7th place
AYA16–18Sydney8th place
Maddison Milewski16Gold Coast, QueenslandUnderdogs (Mel B)9th–12th place
Timmy Knowles30MelbourneOver 22s (Sebastian)
Time and Place17–21VariousGroups (Azalea)
Natalie Ong15Singapore/Melbourne14-21s (Lambert)
*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 were cut down to five, apparently due to scheduling conflicts. Guy Sebastian mentored the Over 22s, Iggy Azalea mentored the Groups and Adam Lambert mentored the 14-21s. Mel B 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.[7] 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 was cancelled in January 2017 due to 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)

Weekly results per act
ActWeek 1[8] 1Week 2Quarter-finalSemi-finalFinal
Sunday VoteMonday Vote
Isaiah FirebraceSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeWinner
Davey Woder SafeSafeSafeSafeSafeRunner-up
Vlado Saric SafeSafeSafeBottom Two3rdEliminated (Final)
Amalia FoySafeSafeSafeSafe4th
BeatzSafe7th5thBottom Two Eliminated (Semi-final)
Chynna TaylorSafeSafe6th Eliminated (Quarter-final)
BrentwoodSafeSafe7th
AYASafe8th Eliminated (Week 2)
Maddison MilewskiEliminated Eliminated (Week 1)
Timmy Knowles Eliminated
Time and PlaceEliminated
Eliminated
Final ShowdownNo final showdown; public eliminates one act from each categoryBeatz, AYAChynna Taylor, BeatzBeatz, SaricNo bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who wins
Judges voted toEliminateSend Through
Lambert's vote (14-21s)Beatz Beatz Saric
Azalea's vote (Groups) Beatz Taylor Saric
Sebastian's vote (Over 22s) AYA Beatz Saric
Mel B's vote (Underdogs)AYA Taylor 2
EliminatedTimmy Knowles
Public Vote To Save
AYA
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock
Brentwood
Public Vote To Save
Beatz
0 of 3 votes
Minority
Vlado Saric
Public Vote To Save
Davey Woder
Public Vote To Win
Maddison Milewski
Public Vote To Save
Natalie Ong
Public Vote To Save
Chynna Taylor
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock
Amalia Foy
Public Vote to Save
Time and Place
Public Vote To Save
Notes

Live show details

Week 1 (23/24 October)

One act from each category was eliminated from the competition after the first show, as voted by viewers[11]

Act! scope="col"
Category (mentor)OrderSongResult
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)1"Sax"Safe
Timmy KnowlesOver 22s (Sebastian)2"Hands to Myself"Eliminated
Amalia Foy14-21s (Lambert)3"Angel"Safe
Time and PlaceGroups (Azalea)4"Ride"Eliminated
Chynna TaylorOver 22s (Sebastian)5"Open Arms"Safe
Maddison MilewskiUnderdogs (Mel B)6"Addicted to You"Eliminated
Isaiah Firebrace14-21s (Lambert)7"Lay It All on Me"Safe
AYAGroups (Azalea)8"Secret Love Song"
VladoUnderdogs (Mel B)9"Closer"
BrentwoodGroups (Azalea)10"Say It"
Davey WoderOver 22s (Sebastian)11"With a Little Help from My Friends"
Natalie Ong14-21s (Lambert)12"When Love Takes Over"Eliminated

Week 2 (30/31 October)

Act! scope="col"
Category (mentor)OrderSongResult
AYAGroups (Azalea)1"End of Time"Bottom Two
VladoUnderdogs (Mel B)2"Into You"Safe
Chynna TaylorOver 22s (Sebastian)3"Pride (In the Name of Love)"
Amalia Foy14-21s (Lambert)4"Frozen"
BrentwoodGroups (Azalea)5"Latch"
Davey WoderOver 22s (Sebastian)6"Small Bump"
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)7"If You Love Me"/"Whip My Hair"Bottom Two
Isaiah Firebrace14-21s (Lambert)8"Let It Be"Safe
Final showdown details
ActCategory (mentor)OrderSongResult
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)1"Bang Bang"Safe
AYAGroups (Azalea)2"Domino"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate

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)

The viewers were given the power to choose this week's songs.[14]

Dundas confirmed during Sunday's live show that this week would be a double elimination.[15]

Act! scope="col"
Category (mentor)Song Choices[16] Result
Amalia Foy14-21s (Lambert)"You've Got the Love"Not Chosen
"Mamma Mia"Chosen
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"
"I Gotta Feeling"Not Chosen
BrentwoodGroups (Azalea)"September"
"Go Your Own Way"Chosen
Chynna TaylorOver 22s (Sebastian) "Mercy"
"The Horses"Not Chosen
Davey Woder "Working Class Man"Chosen
"Better Man"Not Chosen
Isaiah Firebrace14-21s (Lambert)"No Woman, No Cry"
"Happy"Chosen
VladoUnderdogs (Mel B) "Love Yourself"Not Chosen
"Thriller"Chosen
Act! scope="col"
Category (mentor)OrderSongResult
Chynna TaylorOver 22s (Sebastian)1"Mercy"Bottom Three
BrentwoodGroups (Azalea)2"Go Your Own Way"Eliminated
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)3"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"Bottom Three
Amalia Foy14-21s (Lambert)4"Mamma Mia"Safe
Davey WoderOver 22s (Sebastian)5"Working Class Man"
Isaiah Firebrace14-21s (Lambert)6"Happy"
VladoUnderdogs (Mel B)7"Thriller"
Final showdown details
ActCategory (mentor)OrderSongResult
Chynna TaylorOver 22s (Sebastian)1"What's Up?"Eliminated
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)2"Fighter"Safe
Judges' vote to eliminate

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)

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

Act! scope="col"
Category (mentor)OrderKiller Track SongOrderCurveball SongResult
Davey WoderOver 22s (Sebastian)1"Fortunate Son"6"Billie Jean"Safe
Amalia Foy14-21s (Lambert)2"Brave"9"Faded"
VladoUnderdogs (Mel B)7"Perfect Strangers"3"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"Bottom Two
Isaiah Firebrace14-21s (Lambert)8"A Change Is Gonna Come"4"FourFiveSeconds"Safe
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)5"Move"10"Walk This Way"Bottom Two
Final showdown details
ActCategory (mentor)OrderSongResult
BeatzUnderdogs (Mel B)1"Survivor"Eliminated
VladoUnderdogs (Mel B)2 "Cold Water"Safe
Judges' vote to send through

Week 5: Final (20/21 November)

20 November
Act! scope="col"
Category (mentor)OrderShowstopper SongOrderDuet SongResult
Amalia Foy14-21s (Lambert)1"Set Fire to the Rain"5"Boom Clap" (with Charli XCX)Eliminated in Round 1
VladoUnderdogs (Mel B)6"Closer"2"Say You Won't Let Go" (with James Arthur)Eliminated in Round 2
Davey WoderOver 22s (Sebastian)3"7 Years"7"Angels" (with Robbie Williams)Safe
Isaiah Firebrace14-21s (Lambert)8"Halo"4"Wake Me Up" (with Jessica Mauboy)
21 November
Acts' performances on the Monday Final
ActCategory (mentor)OrderWinner's SongResult
Isaiah Firebrace14-21s (Lambert)1"It's Gotta Be You"Winner
Davey WoderOver 22s (Sebastian)2"Coming Home"Runner-up

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).

X-Factor Australia (Season 8) ratings, with overnight ratings and timeshift viewers.
WeekEpisodeAir dateSource
ViewersRankRank
11"Auditions 1"3 October 2016904,000
  1. 6
60,000964,000
  1. 8
[19] [20]
2"Auditions 2"4 October 2016895,000
  1. 6
45,000940,000
  1. 7
[21] [22]
3"Auditions 3"5 October 2016809,000
  1. 7
34,000843,000
  1. 8
[23] [24]
24"Auditions 4"9 October 2016914,000
  1. 7
28,000941,000
  1. 8
[25] [26]
5"Auditions 5"10 October 2016833,000
  1. 7
39,000872,000
  1. 9
[27] [28]
6"Auditions 6"11 October 2016838,000
  1. 7
43,000881,000
  1. 7
[29] [30]
37"Three seat challenge 1"16 October 2016815,000
  1. 5
30,000845,000
  1. 5
[31] [32]
8"Three seat challenge 2"17 October 2016798,000
  1. 8
43,000841,000
  1. 8
[33] [34]
9"Three seat challenge 3"806,000
  1. 8
41,000847,000
  1. 7
[35] [36]
410"Live show 1"752,000
  1. 6
30,000782,000
  1. 6
[37] [38]
11756,000
  1. 10
64,000820,000
  1. 9
[39] [40]
512676,000
  1. 7
44,000720,000
  1. 7
[41] [42]
13603,000
  1. 14
54,000657,000
  1. 15
[43] [44]
614700,000
  1. 7
32,000732,000
  1. 6
[45] [46]
15732,000
  1. 10
53,000785,000
  1. 11
[47] [48]
716559,000
  1. 10
24,000578,000
  1. 9
[49] [50]
17697,000
  1. 11
17,000715,000
  1. 12
[51] [52]
818665,000
  1. 6
24,000677,000
  1. 6
[53] [54]
19751,000
  1. 11
27,000779,000
  1. 10
[55] [56]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The X Factor – 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160422143246/https://fmashows.com/the-x-factor/2016/. 22 April 2016.
  2. Web site: Knox. David. Returning: The X Factor 2016. tvtonight.com.au. Daily Telegraph. 16 September 2016. Australia. 16 September 2016.
  3. News: Vickery. Colin. Channel 7 tossing up whether to delay The X Factors return until 2017. News.com.au. News Corp Australia. 18 February 2016. Australia. 5 February 2016.
  4. Web site: Adam Lambert joins X Factor panel. Tvtonight. 22 June 2016.
  5. Web site: Seven, Mel B kiss and make up.. TV Tonight. David. Knox. 12 October 2016. 12 October 2016.
  6. Web site: Knox. David. Luke Jacobz: 'My last X Factor'. TV Tonight. 25 November 2015. 25 November 2015.
  7. http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/mel-b-officially-confirmed-x-factors-underdog-judg/3099344/ No Cookies | The Chronicle
  8. Web site: Tecson. Karla. Week 1 Results. ibtimes.com.au. 28 October 2016. Australia. 25 October 2016.
    1. XFactorAU
    . 790283185246593024. @thexfactorau: Set your face to EXCITED! @jessicamauboy is performing live on #xfactorau! 7:30pm tonight on @Channel7.. 24 October 2016. 24 October 2016.
    1. XFactorAU
    . 790407954302328832. @thexfactorau: Bad: Four contestants are about to go home. Good: BUT @ZARALARSSON WILL BE PERFORMING! Mixed #xfactorau feels tonight. 7:30 on @Channel7.. 24 October 2016. 24 October 2016.
  9. Web site: 4 acts to be cut after first X Factor live show | TV Tonight.
  10. AM. 791897545631031296. @AstonMerrygold: Excited to be back performing on @The X-Factor (Australia) on Monday with my boys @Throttle and @LunchMoney Lewis. 28 October 2016. 28 October 2016.
  11. Web site: Yahoo Australia | News, email and search.
  12. Web site: Yahoo Australia | News, email and search.
    1. XFactorAU
    . 795174754491580416. @thexfactorau: "... ahead of a double elimination tomorrow night!" SAY WHAT NOW, @JasonDundas?! The stakes have been raised. #xfactorau. 6 November 2016. 6 November 2016.
  13. Web site: Yahoo Australia | News, email and search.
  14. Web site: Yahoo Australia | News, email and search.
  15. Web site: Yahoo Australia | News, email and search.
  16. Web site: Monday 3 October 2016. TV Tonight. 4 October 2016. 4 October 2016.
  17. Web site: Timeshifted: Monday 3 October 2016. TV Tonight. 11 October 2016. 11 October 2016.
  18. Web site: Tuesday 4 October 2016. TV Tonight. 5 October 2016. 5 October 2016.
  19. Web site: Timeshifted: Tuesday 4 October 2016. TV Tonight. 16 October 2016. 15 October 2016.
  20. Web site: Wednesday 5 October 2016. TV Tonight. 6 October 2016. 6 October 2016.
  21. Web site: Timeshifted: Wednesday 5 October 2016. TV Tonight. 16 October 2016. 15 October 2016.
  22. Web site: Sunday 9 October 2016. TV Tonight. 10 October 2016. 10 October 2016.
  23. Web site: Timeshifted: Sunday 9 October 2016. TV Tonight. 18 October 2016. 17 October 2016.
  24. Web site: Monday 10 October 2016. TV Tonight. 11 October 2016. 11 October 2016.
  25. Web site: Timeshifted: Monday 10 October 2016. TV Tonight. 22 October 2016. 22 October 2016.
  26. Web site: Tuesday 11 October 2016. TV Tonight. 12 October 2016. 12 October 2016.
  27. Web site: Timeshifted: Tuesday 11 October 2016. TV Tonight. 22 October 2016. 22 October 2016.
  28. Web site: Sunday 16 October 2016. TV Tonight. 17 October 2016. 17 October 2016.
  29. Web site: Timeshifted: Sunday 16 October 2016. TV Tonight. 26 October 2016. 25 October 2016.
  30. Web site: Monday 17 October 2016. TV Tonight. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016.
  31. Web site: Timeshifted: Monday 17 October 2016. TV Tonight. 26 October 2016. 25 October 2016.
  32. Web site: Tuesday 18 October 2016. TV Tonight. 19 October 2016. 19 October 2016.
  33. Web site: Timeshifted: Tuesday 18 October 2016. TV Tonight. 29 October 2016. 29 October 2016.
  34. Web site: Sunday 23 October 2016. TV Tonight. 24 October 2016. 24 October 2016.
  35. Web site: Timeshifted: Sunday 23 October 2016. TV Tonight. 3 November 2016. 2 November 2016.
  36. Web site: Monday 24 October 2016. TV Tonight. 25 October 2016. 25 October 2016.
  37. Web site: Timeshifted: Monday 24 October 2016. TV Tonight. 4 November 2016. 2 November 2016.
  38. Web site: Sunday 30 October 2016. TV Tonight. 31 October 2016. 31 October 2016.
  39. Web site: Timeshifted: Sunday 30 October 2016. TV Tonight. 13 November 2016. 13 November 2016.
  40. Web site: Monday 31 October 2016. TV Tonight. 1 November 2016. 1 November 2016. David. Knox.
  41. Web site: Timeshifted: Monday 31 October 2016. TV Tonight. 13 November 2016. 13 November 2016. David. Knox.
  42. Web site: Sunday 6 November 2016. 7 November 2016. TV Tonight. 7 November 2016. David. Knox.
  43. Web site: Timeshifted: Sunday 6 November 2016. TV Tonight. 20 November 2016. 20 November 2016. David. Knox.
  44. Web site: Monday 7 November 2016. 8 November 2016. TV Tonight. 8 November 2016. David. Knox.
  45. Web site: Timeshifted: Monday 7 November 2016. TV Tonight. 20 November 2016. 20 November 2016. David. Knox.
  46. Web site: Sunday 13 November 2016. 14 November 2016. TV Tonight. 14 November 2016. David. Knox.
  47. Web site: Timeshifted: Sunday 13 November 2016. TV Tonight. 27 November 2016. 29 November 2016. David. Knox.
  48. Web site: Monday 14 November 2016. 15 November 2016. TV Tonight. 15 November 2016. David. Knox.
  49. News: Timeshifted: Monday 14 November 2016. TV Tonight. 27 November 2016. 29 November 2016. David. Knox.
  50. Web site: Sunday 20 November 2016. 21 November 2016. TV Tonight. 21 November 2016. David. Knox.
  51. Web site: Timeshifted: Sunday 20 November 2016. TV Tonight. 3 December 2016. 8 December 2016. David. Knox.
  52. Web site: Monday 21 November 2016. 22 November 2016. TV Tonight. 22 November 2016. David. Knox.
  53. Web site: Timeshifted: Monday 21 November 2016. TV Tonight. 3 December 2016. 8 December 2016. David. Knox.