X Faktor was the Slovenian adaptation of the British television show The X Factor, a reality singing competition in which contestants performed songs to impress a panel of judges and viewers for a chance at stardom. It aired for one season on the commercial channel POP TV, which also broadcast Slovenia's Got Talent.
Judges Damjan Damjanovič – director of the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra Jadranka Juras – Slovenian jazz singer Aleš Uranjek – member of the rock band Šank Rock
Winner Demetra Malalan, mentored by Jadranka Juras, won the competition.
Runner-up Matija Jahn, mentored by Damjan Damjanovič, placed second in the competition.
The competition
Producer auditions Producer auditions took place from 14 to 29 January 2012 in six major cities across Slovenia: Maribor, Portorož, Kranj, Celje, Novo Mesto, and Ljubljana. Producers selected acts to participate in the next stage of the competition—the Judges’ auditions. Individuals and groups aged 14 and above were eligible to participate.
City Date(s) Maribor 14 January 2012 Portorož 15 January 2012 Kranj 21 January 2012 Celje 22 January 2012 Novo Mesto 24 January 2012 Ljubljana 28–29 January 2012
Judges’ auditions The Judges’ auditions were held at the Kino Šiška complex in Ljubljana before a live audience. Judges decided whether each act would continue in the competition by giving a “yes” or “no.” This portion of the show aired in four episodes released on 18 March, 25 March, 1 April, and 8 April 2012.
Bootcamp Bootcamp lasted for four days and took place at the Austria Trend Hotel in Ljubljana. This portion of the show aired in two episodes, released on 15 and 22 April 2012.
On the first day, 87 contestants were split into groups. Each group selected a song from an assigned list and decided which part of the song each member would sing. The groups then performed in front of the judges, and half of the candidates were eliminated.
On the second day, contestants learned a dance routine and were asked to perform it. Since everyone completed the choreography correctly, no one was eliminated. Afterward, the judges hosted a celebration at the hotel for the remaining contestants. Participants could choose to attend the party or rest in their rooms; most chose the party, knowing it might affect their performance the next day.
Candidates chosen by the judges to continue the competition Category: teens, mentored by Damjan Damjanovič Contestant Name Age Home Eva Marolt 20 Šmartno pri Litiji Ajda Kovačič 16 Slovenj Gradec Mitja Podlesnik 18 Maribor Demetra Malalan 15 Trieste / Ljubljana Žan Hauptman 18 Maribor Alma Merklin 20 Murska Sobota
Category: adults, mentored by Jadranka Juras
Contestant Name Age Home Andreas Videčnik 21 Switzerland Tjaša Žalik 24 Prekmurje Diana Filipovič 26 Ljubljana Matija Jahn 28 Celje Gašper Mihelič 21 Bela Krajina Ana Soklič 27 Bohinj
Category: groups, mentored by Aleš Uranjek
Group MembersMember Names Vox Arsana 4Unknown 2BYONE 3Unknown Duo Ninja 2Unknown IN&OUT 4Unknown S.W.A.G. 5Unknown
On the fourth day, candidates found out if they were chosen to go through to the next stage in the competition, the "Judge's Houses".
Judges' Houses
In the "Judges' Houses" portion of the show, each judge took their chosen candidates to secondary locations where the candidates would sing in front of that judge and a special guest. The judges then eliminated three of their six chosen candidates. The rest competed in the Live Shows. This portion of the show aired in two episodes released on April 29 and May 6, 2012.
Jandranka Juras took the over-21 group to Hotel Palace, Portorož in the city of Portorož, Slovenia. Jadranka's special guest was Nina Vodopivec, a former singer in the Slovenian band Tabu.
Aleš Urenjak took the multiple-member group to Mokrice Castle near the city of Jesenice, in Slovenia. Aleš's special guest was Nina Pušlar, a Slovenian pop singer.
Damjan Damjanovič took the 14–20 age group to the city of La Subide, in Italy. Damjan's special guest was his wife, Sabina Cvilak Damjanovič, a Slovenian opera singer.
Candidates who were chosen to compete in the Live Shows Category Mentor Chosen candidates Teens Damjan Damjanovič Ajda KovačičDemetra MalalanAlma Merklin Over 21s Jadranka Juras Matija JahnGašper MiheličAna Soklič Groups Aleš Uranjek 2BYONEIN&OUTS.W.A.G.
Live show results + Act Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Demetra Malalan Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Winner Matija Jahn Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Runner-up IN&OUT Safe Safe Safe Safe Safe Bottom two Third Place Alma Merklin Bottom two Safe Bottom two Safe Bottom two Bottom two Eliminated(week 6) Ana Soklič Safe Safe Safe Bottom two Bottom two Eliminated(week 5) Ajda Kovačič Safe Safe Safe Bottom two Eliminated(week 4) S.W.A.G. Safe Bottom two Bottom two Eliminated(week 3) Gašper Mihelič Safe Bottom two Eliminated(week 2) 2BYONE Bottom two Eliminated(week 1) Final showdown 2BYONE,Alma Merklin Gašper Mihelič,S.W.A.G. Alma Merklin,S.W.A.G. Ajda Kovačič,Ana Soklič Alma Merklin,Ana Soklič Alma Merklin,IN&OUT No final showdown or judges' vote: results are based on public votes alone Juras's vote to eliminate 2BYONE S.W.A.G. S.W.A.G. Ajda Kovačič lma Merklin Alma Merklin Uranjek's vote to eliminate Alma Merklin Gašper Mihelič Alma Merklin Ajda Kovačič Ana Soklič Alma Merklin Damjanovič's vote to eliminate 2BYONE Gašper Mihelič S.W.A.G. Ana Soklič Ana Soklič IN&OUT Eliminated2BYONE2 of 3 votesMajorityGašper Mihelič2 of 3 votesMajorityS.W.A.G.2 of 3 votesMajorityAjda Kovačič2 of 3 votesMajorityAna Soklič2 of 3 votesMajorityAlma Merklin2 of 3 votesMajority IN&OUTThird Place Matija JahnRunner-up
References