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 received a management contract and a Sony Music Australia recording contract. The third season premiered on the Seven Network on 29 August 2011 and ended on 22 November 2011. The winner was Reece Mastin, his debut single "Good Night" was released after the final and it also made him the first contestant from the Boys category to come first. Mastin was mentored throughout by Guy Sebastian, who won as mentor for the first time. There was only a one percent difference in the votes between Mastin and runner-up Andrew Wishart. The season was presented by Luke Jacobz. Ronan Keating and Sebastian 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: Boys, Girls, Over 25s 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 Derulo, Good Charlotte and Leona Lewis. The live shows began on 19 September 2011.
The season 3 sparked controversy, namely Mel B's attitude towards the other judges, labeling them dishonest and boring. Controversy also occurred between Sebastian and contestant Mitchell Callaway; Sebastian took aim at Callaway's attitude to the competition following his performance on the third live performance show. There were also claims of a clash between Callaway and contestant Declan Sykes. The grand final decider was watched by 1.99 million people, making it the highest rated television episode of the season.
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 season 3. 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." On 31 March 2011, it was announced that Natalie Bassingthwaighte would join the judging panel as a replacement for Natalie Imbruglia. When speaking of her role as a judge, Bassingthwaighte said she would focus on bringing an honest critique to the show and would guide "the artists through the competition". In late April 2011, it was confirmed that Mel B would be Sandilands' replacement. 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." Guy Sebastian and Ronan Keating were the only judges from the season 2 who returned.
Selection process
Auditions In 2011, the minimum age for contestants to audition was changed to 14 years old, having previously been 16 years old. 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). 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), Melbourne (Hisense Arena, 27–29 May), and Sydney (Sydney Entertainment Centre, 2–3 June).
Bootcamp The bootcamp stage was held in Sydney and was first broadcast on 7 September 2011. 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. Sebastian was assisted by Wynter Gordon and was given the Boys, Mel B was assisted by her husband Stephen Belafonte and was given the Girls, Bassingthwaighte teamed up with Darren Hayes and was assigned the Over 25s, and Keating was assisted by The Veronicas and had the Groups. On the second day, the 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 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. On the third day of bootcamp, the judges along with their celebrity guest judges, narrowed down the contestants to six each.
The 24 successful contestants were: Boys: Rob Baron, Trent Bell, Reece Mastin, Johnny Ruffo, Declan Sykes, Mali Talefenua Girls: Tyla Bertolli, Sophie Metcalfe (replaced Tara-Lynn Sharrock due to Visa issues), Chantelle Morrell, Jacqui Newland, Christina Parie, Amy Walton Over 25s: Mitchell Callaway, Pamela Cook, Marina Davis, Cleo Howman, Paige Phoenix, Andrew Wishart Groups: Audio Vixen, Femme Da Funk, Hype (previously known as Lazy J & Big Guy), Three Wishez, Up Front, Young Men Society
Judges' House The final round of the selection process, saw the judges reduce their top six contestants to top three contestants. Each judge took their top six contestants to exclusive locations around the world. Sebastian and the Boys travelled to New York City, where he was assisted by Beyoncé and her A-Team, Mel B and the Girls visited Hollywood, where they met up with Melanie C, Bassingthwaighte and the Over 25s travelled to Double Island, Queensland, where she was helped by Jason Derulo, and Keating and the Groups travelled to Los Angeles, California, where they were assisted by Good Charlotte and Leona Lewis,. After, the judges along with their celebrity guest judges, narrowed down the contestants to three each.
+Summary of judges' houses Judge Category Location Assistant Contestants eliminated Sebastian Boys New York City Beyoncé Rob Baron, Trent Bell, Mali Talefenua Mel B Girls Hollywood Melanie C Sophie Metcalfe, Chantelle Morrell, Amy Walton Bassingthwaighte Over 25s Double Island, Queensland Jason Derulo Pamela Cook, Marina Davis, Paige Phoenix Keating Groups Los Angeles Good CharlotteLeona Lewis Femme Da Funk, Hype, Up Front
Acts
Key: – Winner – Runner-up
ContestantAge(s)HometownCategory (mentor)ResultReece Mastin16Scunthorpe/Greenwith, South AustraliaBoys (Sebastian)WinnerAndrew Wishart40Seaford, VictoriaOver 25s (Bassingthwaighte)Runner-UpJohnny Ruffo 23Balcatta, Western AustraliaBoys (Sebastian)3rd PlaceThree Wishez18–23SydneyGroups (Keating)4th PlaceDeclan Sykes15Fitzroy, VictoriaBoys (Sebastian)5th PlaceChristina Parie15Castle Hill, New South WalesGirls (Mel B)6th PlaceMitchell Callaway25Bowraville, New South WalesOver 25s (Bassingthwaighte)7th PlaceYoung Men Society22–26Sydney, New South Wales Groups (Keating)8th PlaceAudio Vixen19–28Sydney, New South Wales9th PlaceJacqueline "Jacqui" Newland23Geelong, Victoria Girls (Mel B)10th PlaceTyla Bertolli19Melbourne11th PlaceCleopatra "Cleo" Howman25Gold Coast, QueenslandOver 25s (Bassingthwaighte)12th Place
Live shows
Results summary Colour key Contestant in Boys
Contestant in Girls
Contestant in Over 25s
Contestant in Groups
– Contestant in the bottom two and had to perform again in the final showdown – Contestant received the fewest public votes and was immediately eliminated (no final showdown) – Act received the most public votes
+ Weekly results per act Contestant Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Quarter-Final Semi-Final Final Monday Vote Tuesday Vote Reece Mastin Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Bottom Two Safe Safe Safe Winner Andrew Wishart Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Runner-Up Johnny Ruffo Safe Safe Safe 8th Safe 6th Safe Safe Safe 3rd Eliminated(Final) Three Wishez Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Bottom Two 4th Eliminated(Semi-Final) Declan Sykes Safe Safe Safe Safe 7th Safe Safe Bottom Two Eliminated(Quarter-Final) Christina Parie Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Bottom Two Eliminated(Week 7) Mitchell Callaway Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe 7th Eliminated(Week 6) Young Men Society Safe Safe Bottom Two Safe 8th Eliminated(Week 5) Audio Vixen Safe Safe Safe 9th Eliminated(Week 4) Jacqui Newland Bottom Two Bottom Two Bottom Two Eliminated(Week 3) Tyla Bertolli Safe Bottom Two Eliminated(Week 2) Cleo Howman Bottom Two Eliminated(Week 1) Final Showdown Howman, Newland Newland, Bertolli Newland, Young Men Society Ruffo, Audio Vixen Young Men Society, Sykes Callaway, Ruffo Parie, Mastin Sykes, Three Wishez No bottom two/judges' vote; public votes alone decide who is eliminated. Keating's vote to eliminate (Groups) Howman Newland Newland Ruffo Sykes Ruffo Parie Sykes Bassingthwaighte's vote to eliminate (Over 25s) Newland Bertolli Newland Ruffo Young Men Society Ruffo Parie Sykes Sebastian's vote to eliminate (Boys) Howman Bertolli Newland Audio Vixen Young Men Society Callaway Parie Three Wishez Mel B's vote to eliminate (Girls) Howman Bertolli Young Men Society Audio Vixen Sykes Callaway Mastin Sykes Eliminated Cleo Howman3 of 4 votesMajority Tyla Bertolli3 of 4 votesMajority Jacqui Newland3 of 4 votesMajority Audio Vixen2 of 4 votesDeadlock Young Men Society2 of 4 votesDeadlock Mitchell Callaway2 of 4 votesDeadlock Christina Parie3 of 4 votesMajority Declan Sykes3 of 4 votesMajority Three WishezPublic Vote To Save Johnny RuffoPublic Vote To Save Andrew WishartPublic Vote To Win
Live show details
Week 1 (19/20 September) Theme: Judges' Choice Celebrity performers: Bryan Adams ("When You're Gone") and Jack Vidgen (Medley: "Who's Lovin' You"/"Think") Group performance: "Raise Your Glass"
+ Contestants' performances on the first live show Contestant Category (mentor) Order Song Result Reece Mastin Boys (Sebastian) 1 "Closer to the Edge" Safe Three Wishez Groups (Keating) 2 "Telephone" Andrew Wishart Over 25s (Bassingthwaighte) 3 "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" Christina Parie Girls (Mel B) 4 "Since U Been Gone" Mitchell Callaway Over 25s (Bassingthwaighte) 5 "Only Girl (In the World)" Johnny Ruffo Boys (Sebastian) 6 "Moves Like Jagger" Audio Vixen Groups (Keating) 7 "Viva la Vida" Cleo Howman Over 25s (Bassingthwaighte) 8 "Jar of Hearts" Bottom Two Declan Sykes Boys (Sebastian) 9 "Uprising" Safe Jacqui Newland Girls (Mel B) 10 "Love Story" Bottom TwoYoung Men Society Groups (Keating) 11 "The Lazy Song"/"Price Tag" Safe Tyla Bertolli Girls (Mel B) 12 "Set Fire to the Rain"Final showdown details Cleo Howman Over 25s (Bassingthwaighte) 1 "Chasing Pavements" Eliminated Jacqui Newland Girls (Mel B) 2 "Heavy Cross" Safe
Judges' vote to eliminate Sebastian: Cleo Howman – based on the final showdown performance. Mel B: Cleo Howman – backed her own contestant, Jacqui Newland, though stated she did not like Howman since the start of the competition. Bassingthwaighte: Jacqui Newland – backed her own contestant, Cleo Howman. Keating: Cleo Howman – was impressed by Newland's passion during the final showdown.
Notes