Episode 6 of X Factor Australia has aired and is now up on the official site! Here is the link. It is region locked to Australia, but thanks to the Chrome Extension Hola, you can watch it anywhere. Many of you may have used this extension to watch X Factor UK a day early via ITV’s website, but it’s even easier for X Factor Australia. No zip code or account is required.
But if you want to just watch performances, you don’t even need to use Hola. You can just watch the videos embedded below. Read on for my thoughts on episode 6 of X Factor AU featuring judges Adam Lambert, Iggy Azalea and Guy Sebastian.
It’s our last audition episode! After the usual teaser for whats coming in the rest of the episode, we get our first auditioner. His name is Sami Afunie. He rhymes three words with bootcamp in what we are told is an impromptu rap. He wants to hook up with Iggy. He’s dressed in a suit. I hate this guy before he walks on to the stage. He says Iggy’s in his top 5 celebrity crush list. He does Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. He starts by getting the audience to clap. He’s a mediocre singer at best. He does hit a nice high note that Qassim hit on Idol back in season 14. He is an intriguing dancer. I just don’t like him. Adam laughs that he said he was working on his confidence, found him funny and quirky and entertaining. Ugh. Iggy says he’s a big personality, filled the entire stage and everyone was behind him. Guy loves him, wants to party with him. Three yeses. Can’t see him making it past the chair challenge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d90bM4UP2xM
Montage of more people who make it through. One of them even gets two judges to stand up, yet he was montaged. So that’s strange.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mSbvcT4A2M
Montage of people who suck and get rejected. Again, happy none of them are making it through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XytLDvaKSUk
The Dennis Sisters are two sisters (obviously) looking to show that they can overcome a lack of experience. They are 15 and 16 years old from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. They joke about how everyone gets it wrong about which one is older. They are close, always have each others backs. They sing Butterfly Fly Away, a song I’ve never heard. One of them sort of sounds like Ellie Goulding. I know I bring her up a lot, but that’s because I’ve heard so many singers like her on these shows. They have decent harmonies, but I’m not blown away. Guy says it was beautiful to watch, said it wasn’t perfect but it was honest. Iggy says groups can sometimes get gimmicky, says individually they have great voices and are good together. Adam says the harmonies need a lot of work, but does like them. Iggy says yes, Adam thinks a bit, but then says yes, Guy says 100% yes. Three yeses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVXeFNg9anU
After a montage of people flirting with each other (don’t ask, it was rather pointless) Timothy Moxey is a 31 year old teacher from Sydney. He has three boys at home, who sometimes tell him to stop singing and sometimes join in and dance. His son calls him the highest singer in the world. Adam asks if it makes him nervous to have his kids here. He sings “The Flame” by Cheap Trick. He has a great range, great falsetto. Love his tone, love his voice. My favorite audition of the night by a mile, and probably my favorite of the week. Adam says it was “some badass singing” says that he’s got vocals. Iggy’s concern is how would he handle touring with his kids and a family, he says his wife would help. Guy thinks there is a place for someone like him on the show, but doesn’t want anyone to mess with him. Three yeses. His family runs out to congratulate him after. Aww.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI4QvapXG70
Montage of more bad auditions-people inspired by Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson. The last act is Zebulen Howell, he’s 22 from Melbourne. He’s a huge Adam Lambert fan, has been obsessed for a long time, calls him his boy crush. He moved to Melbourne at 18 when he came out to break away from everything. His dad wasn’t accepting at first when he came out, but they are closer now. Guy loves his style. He sings Hometown Glory by Adele. Let’s see if he can beat James Arthur’s version. He has a very weird voice, a strange way of pronouncing his words. But I kinda like it. Not as much as James Arthur, but it’s good. He has a lot of control to his voice. Guy stands up for him, loves how he’s different. He stood up because he hasn’t seen an act like him. Iggy likes it. But we’re waiting to hear from Adam. He says it was special, everything about him represents the next generation, calls him a star. Three yeses as “Welcome To The Show” plays in the background.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gsw5oTQNlc
After the commercial break, we find out who gets which category. Guy says the strongest category is the under 22s, Adam wants the overs, Iggy wants the groups. Iggy says “it was nice being friends with Guy and Adam but its all business now” Adam finds out first-he gets the under 22s. He’s more than ready to work with his category. Contestants are really happy they have him. Guy gets the overs, and Iggy gets the groups. Adam and Guy don’t look disappointed. The last one was super predictable-all of the hype about Iggy being hard on groups wasn’t for no reason. The judges all want to win now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvrQGZu0PIU
Adam widdles down his category to 12 acts by having them all sing acapella. Adam throws his shoes at someone. LOL. Several auditioners we’ve seen have been cut.
Before the 3 seat challenge starts, we find out from Simon Cowell that he’s shaking things up a bit. The underdog judge is…Mel B. As expected. Guy is laughing. They’ve worked together before for two seasons. Mel says that “every brilliant singer you can’t fit, I get to grab.” Guy says “I thought we got rid of her for good”-ha. Guy knows how competitive she is and how feisty she is. Iggy says “if Mel wins the competition with an act I got rid of I’ll never forgive myself”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vDheEqclls
The contestants don’t know that Mel B could pick them up. As our host Jason points out, lots of the under 22s were really great. First up for the 3 chair challenge is Adam Lambert and the under 22s. And his first singer fighting for a chair is Isaiah Firebrace. Isaiah forgot his words last year at the seat challenge and this year at his audition. Adam says “I hope you know the words”. He sings “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys and he’s great. No crazy high notes this time, but he still has his amazing tone and low voice. I hope he makes it to the top 12. He gets three judges to stand up, and he remembers his lyrics. Guy says it would be crazy for him to not get a seat. Iggy is proud of him, and is rooting for him. Adam remarks on how comfortable he was for being 16. He wants someone who is seasoned. He’s getting a seat for now. We shall see if he keeps it next week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3GPoBC4Ok
My thoughts: As I said above, my favorite audition of the night was from Timothy Moxey. Can’t wait for next week. I truly think this might be the best judging panel in X Factor history. I love Mel, and I love the other three as well.
