The X Factor (Australia season 3)

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 management contract and a Sony Music Australia recording contract.^[1][2] The 2011 season premiered on the Seven Network on 29 August 2011^[3] and ended on 22 November 2011.^[1] The winner was Reece Mastin and his debut single "Good Night" was released after the final.^[1] Mastin was mentored throughout by Guy Sebastian, who won as mentor for the first time.^[1] The season was presented by Luke Jacobz.^[4] Sebastian and Ronan Keating were the only judges from the previous season who returned, while Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Mel B joined the judging panel as replacements for former judges, Natalie Imbruglia and Kyle Sandilands.

The competition was split into several stages: auditions, bootcamp, home visits and live shows. Auditions in front of the show's producers took place throughout March and April 2011. The successful auditionees chosen by the producers were then invited back to the last set of auditions that took place in front of the judges and a live studio audience during May and June. After the auditions was bootcamp, where successful acts were split into four categories: Under 25 Boys (male soloists aged 14 to 24), Under 25 Girls (female soloists aged 14 to 24), Over-25s (soloists aged 25 and over) and Groups. Each judge was given a category to mentor and had to decide on their twelve acts after day two, and their six acts after day three. Special guest judges, including Wynter Gordon, Stephen Belafonte, Darren Hayes and The Veronicas, were brought in to help the judges decide their acts. Following bootcamp, was the home visits stage, where each of the judges reduced their six acts to three, with help from more guest judges, including Beyoncé, Melanie C, Jason Derülo, Good Charlotte and Leona Lewis. The live shows began on 19 September 2011.^[5]

This season had sparked controversy, including Mel B's aim towards the other judges, labeling them dishonest and boring.^[6] Controversy also occurred between Sebastian and contestant Mitchell Callaway; Sebastian took aim Callaway's attitude to the competition following his performance on the third live performance show.^[7] There were also claims of a clash between Callaway and contestant Declan Sykes.^[8] The grand final decider was watched by 1.99 million people, making it the highest rated television episode of the season.^[9]

Judges

On 16 March 2011, judge Kyle Sandilands announced on his breakfast radio show, Kyle & Jackie O, that he would not be returning to the judging panel for the 2011 season.^[10] Of his decision, Sandilands said, "Not because I didn't like it. I thought the show was great and it was great fun to do but it's just too hectic, it's too much work. So, I've told Channel Seven, no."^[10] Following the announcement, it was rumoured that radio hosts, Merrick Watts and Jackie O, and Australian singer Delta Goodrem, were possible considerations to replace Sandilands.^[11] Others who were also rumoured to be replacing Sandilands, included Mel B, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, George Michael and Brian McFadden.^[4][12]

On 31 March 2011, it was announced that Bassingthwaighte would join the judging panel as a replacement for judge Natalie Imbruglia.^[12] When speaking of her role as a judge, Bassingthwaighte said she will focus on bringing an honest critique to the show and will guide "the artists through the competition."^[13] In late April 2011, it was confirmed that Mel B would be Sandilands' replacement as a judge.^[14] Mel B said, "[The contestants] are either going to love me or hate me but it's going to be a fun ride. I'm really easy to get on with and I'm a hard worker. I'm firm but nice."^[14] Guy Sebastian and Ronan Keating were the only judges from the 2010 season who returned.^[15]

Selection process

Auditions

In the 2011 season, the minimum age for contestants to audition was changed to 14 years-old, having previously been 16 years-old.^[16] Auditions in front of the show's producers began in March 2011 in five cities: Perth (Parmelia Hilton, 27 March), Adelaide (AAMI Stadium, 29 March), Brisbane (Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2–3 April), Sydney (Australian Technology Park, 8–10 April) and Melbourne (Moonee Valley Racecourse, 15–17 April).^[17] The successful auditionees chosen by the producers were then invited back to the last set of auditions that took place in front of the judges and a live studio audience. These auditions were held in three cities: Brisbane (Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 21–22 May),^[18] Melbourne (Hisense Arena, 27–29 May),^[19] and Sydney (Sydney Entertainment Centre, 2–3 June).^[19][20][21]

Bootcamp

The bootcamp stage was held in Sydney and was first broadcast on 7 September 2011.^[22] On the first day of bootcamp, each judge was given a category to mentor and were joined by a celebrity guest judge to help them decide their top twelve acts.^[22] Sebastian was assisted by Wynter Gordon and was given the Under 25 Boys, Keating was assisted by The Veronicas and had the Groups, Bassingthwaighte teamed up with Darren Hayes and was assigned the Over-25s, and Mel B was assisted by her husband Stephen Belafonte and was given the Under 25 Girls.^[22][23] On the second day, the Under 25 Boys each had to sing a song made famously by a female artist, the Over-25s got styled for a photo shoot and later each had to perform one song, the Under 25 Girls had to perform choreography to either Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" or Lady Gaga's "Born This Way", and the Groups held recording sessions with vocal producer Erana Clark.^[24] On the third day of bootcamp, the judges along with their celebrity guest judges, narrowed down the contestants to six each:^[25]

• Under 25 Boys – Rob Baron, Trent Bell, Reece Mastin, Johnny Ruffo, Declan Sykes and Mali Talefenua
• Under 25 Girls – Tyla Bertolli, Sophie Metcalfe (replaced Tara-Lynn Sharrock due to Visa issues),^[26] Chantelle Morrell, Jacqui Newland, Christina Parie and Amy Walton
• Over-25s – Mitchell Callaway, Pamela Cook, Marina Davis, Cleo Howman, Paige Phoenix and Andrew Wishart
• Groups – Audio Vixen, Femme Da Funk, Hype (previously known as Lazy J & Big Guy), Three Wishez, Up Front and Young Men Society

Home visits

The final round of the selection process, the home visits (formerly the "judges' houses"),^[23] saw the judges reduce their six acts to three. Each judge took their six acts to exclusive locations around the world. Sebastian and his Under 25 Boys travelled to New York City, where he was assisted by Beyoncé and her A-Team, Keating and the Groups travelled to Los Angeles, California, where they were assisted by Good Charlotte and Leona Lewis, Bassingthwaighte and her Over 25s travelled to Double Island, Queensland, where she was helped by Jason Derülo, and Mel B and her Under 25 Girls visited Hollywood, where they met up with Melanie C.^[26][27][28] After, the judges along with their celebrity guest judges, narrowed down the contestants to three each:^[5]

• Under 25 Boys – Reece Mastin, Johnny Ruffo and Declan Sykes
• Under 25 Girls – Tyla Bertolli, Jacqui Newland and Christina Parie
• Over-25s – Mitchell Callaway, Cleo Howman and Andrew Wishart
• Groups – Audio Vixen, Three Wishez and Young Men Society

Finalists and categories

Key:

     – Winner^†

     – Runner-up^*

     – Third Place^{^}

Under 25 Girls

• Tyla Bertolli: A 19 year-old contestant from Melbourne, who sang Florence and the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over" at her audition.^[29] At the age of 14, Bertolli did work experience at an independent record label in Melbourne.^[29] A year later, she released her first EP titled, A Brilliant Tragedy, which featured songs she wrote herself.^[29] Bertolli cited Adele, Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Rihanna as her musical influences.^[29]

• Jacqui Newland: A 23 year-old contestant from Geelong, Victoria, who sang AC/DC's "Highway to Hell at her audition.^[30] Newland is the lead singer of the cover band, Plum Crazy, who perform gigs one or two nights a week in her hometown.^[30] Her biggest inspiration is her late father, Neville, who lost his battle with cancer when she was only 17 years-old.^[30] Newland cited Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera as her musical inspirations.^[30]

• Christina Parie: A 15 year-old contestant from Castle Hill, New South Wales,^[31] who sang Kelly Clarkson's "I Do Not Hook Up" at her audition.^[32] Parie is the lead singer of the five piece band, Losing Sight. Before entering The X Factor, Parie and her band performed at cafes, festivals and venues across Sydney.^[32] Aside from singing her own original songs, Parie can also play the piano and guitar.^[32] Parie released her first independent EP in early 2011.^[32] She cited Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, The Cranberries and Pink as her musical inspirations.^[32]

Under 25 Boys

• Reece Mastin: A 16 year-old contestant who was born in Scunthorpe, England,^[33] but moved with his family to Greenwith, South Australia six years ago.^[34] Mastin sang Rooster's "Come Get Some" at his audition.^[34] He cited Steven Tyler as his idol, and can also play the guitar, drums, bass and piano.^[34] Mastin has already recorded his own EP and played in several bands.^[34]

• Johnny Ruffo: A 23 year-old contestant from Balcatta, Western Australia, who sang Jay Sean's "Do You Remember" at his audition.^[22] Before auditioning for the show, Ruffo worked as a concreter and performed around Perth with electro-pop band, Supanova.^[22] He cited Usher, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga as his musical inspirations.^[22]

• Declan Sykes: A 15 year-old contestant from Fitzroy, Victoria, who sang Radiohead's "High and Dry" at his audition.^[35] At the age of 5, Sykes was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.^[35] Sykes has already been to twelve schools as he has been the target of bullies.^[35] He cited Muse, Panic! at the Disco and Jeff Buckley as his musical inspirations.^[35]

Over-25s

• Mitchell Callaway: A 25 year-old contestant from Bowraville, New South Wales, who sang Keith Urban's "Tonight I Wanna Cry" at his audition.^[36] Callaway chose to pursue a career in music after a near-death experience occurred in July 2010, when he broke his neck during a rugby league match.^[36] He cited Garth Brooks, Rascall Flatts and Alan Jackson as his musical inspirations.^[36]

• Cleo Howman: A 25 year-old contestant from Gold Coast, Queensland, who sang Florence and the Machine's version of "You've Got the Love" at her audition.^[37] After studying a Bachelor of Music at the Griffith Conservatorium, Howman self-funded her own album, Diamonds And Rubies, in 2008.^[37] Before entering The X Factor, she performed in coffee bars, restaurants, weddings and corporate events, and worked in retail.^[37] Howman cited Megan Washington, Sia, Clare Bowditch, Jewell and Dido as her musical inspirations.^[37]

• Andrew Wishart: A 40 year-old contestant from Seaford, Victoria, who sang Adele's "Someone Like You" at his audition.^[38] Wishart was inspired to audition for the show by his four children, who also suggested he should sing that song in his audition.^[38] Before auditioning for The X Factor, he worked as a sales manager for the hot nut vending machine company, Cupa Nutz.^[38] Wishart cited U2, John Farnham, Dire Straits, Queen and Robbie Williams as his musical inspirations.^[38]

Groups

• Audio Vixen: A Sydney-based group made up of siblings, Maria (aged 28), Christina (aged 25) and Ross (aged 19).^[39] Audio Vixen sang Toto's "Hold the Line" in their audition.^[39] Maria and Christina first performed as a duo, and Ross later joined them five years ago.^[39] Together they have recorded an EP and performed across Australia and the United States.^[39] Aside from music, Maria runs her own graphic design business, Christina is an office manager and Ross is studying to become a music teacher.^[39] Audio Vixen cited Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Beatles, Rob Thomas, Jet, John Mayer, Lady Antebellum, Coldplay, Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, The Faces, Thirsty Merc, Heart, Aerosmith and The Bee Gees as their musical inspirations.^[39]

• Three Wishez: A group made up of Frederico (aged 18), Sophie (aged 21) and Joseph (aged 23), who sang Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie" in their audition.^[40] They are all students at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney, and were formed as a group one year ago.^[40] Three Wishez cited The Black Eyed Peas, Jessie J, Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown, John Legend, Ne-Yo and Mario as their musical inspirations.^[40]

• Young Men Society: A group which consists of Andi (aged 23), Josh (aged 22) and Nathan (aged 26), who sang Mike Posner's "Cooler Than Me" in their audition.^[41] Andi and Josh first met at church when they were 15 years-old, and later they joined forces with Nathan after meeting him at their hip hop dance class.^[41] Young Men Society cited Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Brian McKnight, Jodeci, Robin Thicke, Five and 'N Sync as their musical inspirations.^[41]

Live shows

Results summary

Contestants' colour key:

– Contestant announced as safe (no particular order)

– Contestant in the bottom two and had to perform in the final showdown†

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

Live show details

Week 1 (19/20 September)

• Theme: Judges' Choice^[42]
• Celebrity performers: Bryan Adams ("When You're Gone")^[43] and Jack Vidgen (Medley: "Who's Lovin' You"/"Think")^[44]
• Group performance: "Raise Your Glass"^[45]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Sebastian: Cleo Howman – based on the final showdown performance^[43]
• Mel B: Cleo Howman – backed her own act, Jacqui Newland^[43]
• Bassingthwaighte: Jacqui Newland – backed her own act, Cleo Howman^[43]
• Keating: Cleo Howman – was impressed by Newland's passion during the final showdown^[43]

Notes

• On the live performance show, the judges opened the show to perform their own hits together. Sebastian performed first on the piano, singing "Who's That Girl", followed by Bassingthwaighte's "Someday Soon". Keating then sang "Lovin' Each Day" and Mel B took the stage last to perform Spice Girl's "Who Do You Think You Are".^[46]

Week 2 (27/28 September)

• Theme: Party Anthems^[47]
• Celebrity performers: Kelly Clarkson ("Mr. Know It All")^[48] and Sneaky Sound System ("Big")^[48]
• Group performance: "Party Rock Anthem" with LMFAO^[48]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Sebastian: Tyla Bertolli – said he went for his guts^[49]
• Bassingthwaighte: Tyla Bertolli – based on the final showdown performance^[49]
• Keating: Jacqui Newland – gave no reason^[49]
• Mel B: Tyla Bertolli – reasoning that Newland was better at controlling her nerves^[49]

Notes

• This week's shows were aired on Tuesday and Wednesday nights due to the Seven Network televising the 2011 Brownlow Medal.^[50]
• The songs that the contestants sang in the live performance show were chosen by the Australian public.^[51]

Week 3 (3/4 October)

• Theme: Rock^[52]
• Mentor: Alice Cooper^[52]
• Celebrity performers: Natalie Bassingthwaighte ("All We Have")^[52] and Simple Plan ("Can't Keep My Hands Off You")^[53]
• Group performance: "Live and Let Die"^[53]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Keating: Jacqui Newland – backed his own act, Young Men Society^[53]
• Mel B: Young Men Society – backed her own act, Jacqui Newland^[53]
• Bassingthwaighte: Jacqui Newland – gave no reason^[53]
• Sebastian: Jacqui Newland – said that Young Men Society had to be in the Competition for a lot longer but admired Jacqui's strength for being in the bottom two 3 weeks in a row.^[53]

Week 4 (10/11 October)

• Theme: The 90s^[55]
• Celebrity performers: Vanessa Amorosi ("Amazing")^[56] and Chris Isaak ("Oh, Pretty Woman")^[56]
• Group performance: "Hold On"^[57]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Keating: Johnny Ruffo – backed his own act, Audio Vixen
• Sebastian: Audio Vixen – backed his own act, Johnny Ruffo
• Bassingthwaighte: Johnny Ruffo – gave no reason
• Mel B: Audio Vixen – gave no reason

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result was deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Audio Vixen received the fewest votes and were eliminated.^[57]

Week 5 (17/18 October)

• Theme: Number-one hits^[59]
• Celebrity performers: Altiyan Childs ("Ordinary Man")^[60] and Jason Derülo (Medley: "It Girl"/"Don't Wanna Go Home")^[60]
• Group performance: Michael Jackson medley with Jason Derülo^[60]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Keating: Declan Sykes – backed his own act, Young Men Society^[61]
• Sebastian: Young Men Society – backed his own act, Declan Sykes^[61]
• Mel B: Declan Sykes – based her decision on who would be more favourably internationally^[61]
• Bassingthwaighte: Young Men Society – thought it would be fair to go to deadlock since its Young Men Society's second time in the bottom two and Sykes' first^[61]

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result was deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Young Men Society received the fewest votes and were eliminated.^[61]

Week 6 (24/25 October)

• Theme: Australian hits^[62]
• Celebrity performers: Aloe Blacc ("I Need a Dollar")^[63] and Darren Hayes ("Bloodstained Heart")^[63]
• Group performance: Savage Garden medley with Darren Hayes^[63]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Sebastian: Mitchell Callaway – backed his own act, Johnny Ruffo^[64]
• Bassingthwaighte: Johnny Ruffo – backed her own act, Mitchell Callaway^[64]
• Mel B: Mitchell Callaway – said Ruffo was the most improved since the first week^[64]
• Keating: Johnny Ruffo – gave no reason^[64]

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result was deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Callaway received the fewest votes and was eliminated.^[64]

Week 7 (31 October/1 November)

• Theme: Dance^[65]
• Celebrity performers: Ronan Keating ("Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)")^[66] and Jessica Mauboy featuring Stan Walker ("Galaxy")^[66]
• Group performance: "We Run the Night"/"Get It" with Havana Brown^[66]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Mel B: Reece Mastin – backed her own act, Christina Parie^[67]
• Sebastian: Christina Parie – backed his own act, Reece Mastin^[67]
• Keating: Christina Parie – gave no reason^[67]
• Bassingthwaighte: Christina Parie – chose to eliminate Parie to "stay true to [her]self"^[67]

Week 8 (7/8 November)

• Theme: Legends^[68]
• Celebrity performers: Ricki-Lee ("Raining Diamonds")^[69] and Susan Boyle ("Autumn Leaves")^[69]
• Group performance: "How Can We Be Lovers?" with Michael Bolton^[69]

Judges' vote to eliminate

• Keating: Declan Sykes – backed his own act, Three Wishez^[70]
• Sebastian: Three Wishez – backed his own act, Declan Sykes^[70]
• Bassingthwaighte: Declan Sykes – gave no reason^[70]
• Mel B: Declan Sykes – gave no reason^[70]

Week 9 (14/15 November) – Semi-final

• Theme: Pleasure and Pain^[71]
• Mentor: Stevie Nicks^[72]
• Celebrity performers: Florence and the Machine ("Shake It Out"),^[72] Ed Sheeran ("The A Team")^[72] and Stevie Nicks ("Secret Love")^[72]
• Group performance: Fleetwood Mac medley^[72]

Notes

• For the first time this season, each act performed two songs – one uplifting and one emotional.^[71]
• Also for the first time, there was no final showdown and the act that received the fewest public votes was immediately eliminated.^[73]

Week 10 (21/22 November) – Grand Final

• Theme: No theme (songs from the auditions and live shows that the mentor believes will show their true talent); superstar duets^[74]
• Superstar duet performers:
  • The Fray with Andrew Wishart
  • Salt-n-Pepa with Johnny Ruffo
  • Kylie Minogue with Reece Mastin
• Guest performers: The Fray ("Heartbeat"),^[75] Luke O'Dell ("Introvert Extrovert"),^[1] Guy Sebastian ("Don't Worry Be Happy"),^[75] Emmanuel Kelly ("Imagine")^[1] and Kylie Minogue ("I Should Be So Lucky")^[75]
• Group performance: "Can't Get You Out of My Head"/"Better the Devil You Know"/"All the Lovers" with Kylie Minogue^[76]

Reception

Controversy

Three days before the season's premiere, Mel B made comments about the other judges, labelling them dishonest and boring.^[6] She said, "I don't care much for the other judges ... Ronan thinks he knows it all [and] Natalie is just too nice and really dishonest. Guy could just be boring, like 'get on with it. Keep it moving, brother.'"^[6] During a radio interview with The Kyle and Jackie O Show on 29 August 2011, Bassingthwaighte responded to Mel B's comments saying, "I think it's in fun – I hope so otherwise she deserves a slap."^[78] Mel B appeared on the same radio show the following day and said, "They're all scared of me and I love it, there's got to be one bitch on the show so I might as well take that bloody crown."^[79]

More controversy occurred after Sebastian took aim at contestant Mitchell Callaway's attitude to the competition following his performance of "Run to Paradise" on the third live performance show.^[7] Sebastian told Callaway: "You've got to have the right attitude to this competition, you've got to be focused and to be honest, not be rude to people and have the work ethic. For you to not learn your lyrics and for you to at times be rude to crew, you really have to pull that in and rein that in because you won't last long in this competition or this industry if you do that."^[7] The following morning, Callaway's mentor Bassingthwaighte spoke to radio station 2Day FM about the issue:

"It makes me feel sick actually, I feel sick in the stomach ... I feel Mitchell did the best performance that he's done so far, I think Guy made the mistake of commenting on stuff that didn't happen on camera. He said he's rude to crew and needs to check his behaviour ... When he [Mitchell] got off stage he said, 'I'm not coming back'."^[7]

However, later that same day, Callaway tweeted, "I'm not gunna quit guys ... It's not the Aussie way. I'm not gunna let al u beautiful ppl dwn. Or Natalie after everythn she's done."^[7] On the third live results show, Sebastian apologised to Callaway and said he "chose the wrong time and place to say it".^[80] The Seven Network insiders revealed that a clash between Callaway and another contestant, Declan Sykes, was the real reason behind Sebastian's on-air rebuke.^[8] Sykes, who battles Asperger's syndrome, reportedly took offence at being pricked with a pin by Callaway.^[8]

Contestants

Contestant Emmanuel Kelly appeared on the first episode of the season's audition show on 29 August 2011, and performed a rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine".^[81] His performance earned a standing ovation from the judges and the audience.^[81] Keating was full of praise for Kelly, who then moved into the next round of competition. Keating told Kelly: "I don't think I've ever been moved as I was by that performance."^[81] Kelly and his brother Ahmed were adopted by Children First Foundation boss, Moira Kelly, who is also the guardian of the once-conjoined Bangladesh twins, Krishna and Trishna.^[81] Kelly and his brother came from Iraq, where they were abandoned at an orphanage and both suffered limb deficiencies as a result of chemical warfare.^[81] During the third day of bootcamp, Sebastian eliminated Kelly from the competition, disappointed that he had forgotten words to his song the day before.^[82]

Another contestant, Luke O'Dell, appeared on the third audition show on 31 August. After failing to impress the judges with his rendition of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone", O'Dell then sang an original song he wrote titled, "Introvert Extrovert", which made him an overnight internet sensation.^[83] The song entered the iTunes' Top 100 chart overnight and landed O'Dell thousands of fans on social media and his official YouTube channel.^[83][84] The song title also became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter for more than two hours, following his television performance of the song.^[84] Overnight commentary on Twitter and Facebook quickly labelled O'Dell as the Australian version of Rebecca Black, who found fame with her song, "Friday".^[83] However, O'Dell failed to move through to the next round of the competition.^[83] Both Kelly and O'Dell returned to perform on the live grand final decider show.^[1]

Ratings

The premiere episode on 29 August 2011 topped the night's overall ratings with 1,319,000 viewers,^[85] compared to the 1,186,000 viewers who tuned in to watch the premiere episode of the 2010 season.^[86] All six of the season's audition episodes ranked first on their respective nights and peaked the highest on 30 August with an audience of 1,690,000 viewers.^[85] The first live performance show on 19 September, gained 1,452,000 viewers and topped the night's overall ratings.^[87] The live grand final decider show on 22 November, was the highest rated episode of the season with 1,998,000 viewers.^[9]

References

External links

• The X Factor at Yahoo!7