My picks for The X Factor New Zealand 2013 judging panel

I’m excited about 2013:  The X Factor New Zealand is coming and it will be the biggest production TV3 has ever made.  Dominic Bowden has been signed on to host the show and will return to New Zealand with an enormous wealth of experience having been in the US and worked on The Voice and The X Factor as well as hosting a prime time TV show over there.

However, the pressure really will be on TV3 to make The X Factor work.  New Zealand has a terrible record when it comes to producing artists that go on to have successful careers at home, let alone abroad. Making sure artists who actually have “the x factor” will require a serious judging panel with the ability to spot it.

It should be pointed out that The X Factor‘s judging panel isn’t just about judging.  More important than the role of judge is the role of mentor. Finding people who can help steer artists in the right direction towards stardom is imperative.

With that in mind, I’ve come up with three names who I think would provide international experience to an X Factor New Zealand judging panel and would have more than just financial reasons to come down under:

1. Natasha Bedingfield

This pop princess has a wealth of experience in the music industry with more than 14 million albums sold worldwide.  She has an excellent connection with New Zealand: both her parents are Kiwis and she has family here. She’d bring a lot to the table with her positive outlook.

2. Printz Board

The Grammy Award winning producer for the Black Eyed Peas has been in town a few times due to his friendship with Kim Dotcom.  He’s also worked with Natasha Bedingfield.

3. Stan Walker

Winning a talent show and going on to have a successful music career isn’t something that you’d normally associate with a Kiwi but that’s exactly what Stan Walker has done after winning Australian Idol.  He’s popular, well-known and liked locally.

I’m still considering who should complete the judging panel. If only we could entice Mr Cowell to come down!

Who do you think would make a great judge/mentor for the show?

About the author

Regan is one of the co-founders of Throng Media.
He's currently watching Survivor, Homeland, House, Glee and can't wait for the return of Game of Thrones.
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  • http://www.facebook.com/rachel.cunliffe Rachel Cunliffe

    JJ Feeney over at The Edge is suggesting that Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden (Good Charlotte, X Factor Australia), Boy George (Culture Club) and George Michael are being considered.

  • http://www.facebook.com/david.ballantyne1 David Ballantyne

    I definitely think they would consider Stan Walker. I hadn’t thought of Natasha Bedingfield, but its a great idea

  • Gary Wills

    I say they make something else instead of reality shows. This is to much.

    • http://www.facebook.com/rachel.cunliffe Rachel Cunliffe

      What would you like them to make?

  • h.lua

    just a reminder thrs 4 catergories so thrd b 4 judges/mentors and id love to c all 3 of them and kimbra shes definately sdil current

    • http://www.facebook.com/reganjcunliffe Regan Cunliffe

      I understand there are our judges. I’m still trying to think of a good fourth judge.

      No to Kimbra though. Riding high on Gotye’s coat-tails is hardly reason to suggest she has what it takes, yet.

      • h.lua

        yh i fink id axually agree just we gotah have a kiwi on the panel but thn stan walker pwretty much counts, but now i also want shania twain shes definately known and im ashamed to say i know alot of her music lol

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

    I agree about Natasha Bedingfield ……also how about Geri Halliwell? I think Geri would be amazing :)

  • Rick

    I think Brooke Fraser would be a good judge/mentor.

    • http://www.facebook.com/reganjcunliffe Regan Cunliffe

      What would she bring to the table as far as international experience is concerned? I just don’t think she’s at the level we need for this show to work.

      • http://twitter.com/Inventory2 Inventory2

        Brooke Fraser is probably at a higher international level than Stan Walker Regan; she tours extensively, especially in Europe

        • http://www.facebook.com/reganjcunliffe Regan Cunliffe

          She’s also toured in the US and Australia but what impact has she had on commercial radio and the charts? I still maintain she’s not at the level we need for the show to work.

          • http://www.facebook.com/david.ballantyne1 David Ballantyne

            Then why suggest Stan Walker? His most recent album wasn’t even a big success in Australia – its best position was number 18, plus he only tours in Aussie and NZ. I hope it isn’t just someone from the feelers or Dave Dobbyn. I hope they actually can get big musicians – but where would they get the money for that?

    • cre8d

      Brooke said she didn’t think NZ Idol was a good thing for music:
      http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/brooke-fraser/

  • Luc

    I think Luke Chandler from Twitter would do the role well. I know he has experience in spotting stars (he’s spotted Justin Bieber, Connor Maynyard plus more) before they’ve became famous.

  • Wilbur

    Shania Twain? (Isn’t she living in NZ these days?) Neil Finn perhaps?

    • http://www.facebook.com/reganjcunliffe Regan Cunliffe

      Shania Twain is an excellent suggestion. Neil Finn, not so much. :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

      Sadly, Shania is not living in NZ anymore as she broke up with Mutt but I do like the idea of Shania as a judge on X Factor :)

    • http://twitter.com/MusickMakes MusickMakes

      Nope. Not anymore. She and her late husband were setting up their dream home here but he cheated on her. I don’t think she’d say yes since our country will remind her of her ex :-/

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

        Also Shania is busy having shows in Las Vegas :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

    How about Kylie Minogue or Madonna ? I love thinking big :)

    • cre8d

      Funnily enough, Kylie responded to the question of being a possible judge in The X Factor UK today: “It might be like a lot of things in life where thinking about it is more difficult than doing it. I think if I was driven to the studio and told I was doing it, then I’d get into it and I might find it really fulfilling. I’m sure I’ve got enough to offer. I’ve been there and never had anyone hold my hand, so it would be quite nice to do that for someone else”

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

        That sounds like Kylie might say yes….wonder if TV3 are thinking of asking her? :)

        • cre8d

          She seems open to being on The X Factor UK, would be awesome if she wanted to come here, but would be a much bigger call for her to make since she lives in the UK.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

            Yes I guess it would be but she could think of it as a working holiday :)

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

            HA, I see the UK X Factor are now after Kylie but I bet TV3 have already signed her up for next year :)

        • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YN4GHCMAO22DHQEZAH6ZDVZ6YQ Blinkx

          That’s if New Zealand can afford her. She’s Australia’s biggest singing icon for pete’s sake. We’d have to be richer than Aussies if anyone here had the power to lure one of their own icons downunder..

          • cre8d

            Yeah, need another pull factor to bring them here as well as money (hence Regan’s suggestions for judges in the original post)

  • http://twitter.com/Iluvhappyfish ♥

    I think Stan Walker is a definite YES as well as Natasha Bedingfield but Im not really sure about that Printz Board guy :/ I do like the idea of Brooke Fraser though :) I think Simon Cowell would be great too!…

  • CJ

    Anika Moa?

    • cre8d

      I can’t find the exact quote but I understand she wasn’t interested in being associated with NZ Idol at all:

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10399450

      The NZ Idol judges mentioned her by name (along with others) saying they were tired of her attitude. She was discovered through the Smokefree Rockquest and was involved in their mentoring program though.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YN4GHCMAO22DHQEZAH6ZDVZ6YQ Blinkx

        But The X Factor is different from New Zealand Idol.
        Also I saw her judging this similar show to Pop Idol on Maori Channel before.
        There’s a chance that she could be a judge. She’s had experience being a pop singer overseas + she’s got a big personality. Perfect for reality TV show like
        X-Factor. She should be a judge.

        • cre8d

          It’s much of a muchness (Idol vs X Factor) in terms of being associated with reality TV competitions; perhaps she’s changed her mind over the years :-) (I doubt Bic Runga would with her “toilet bowl” quote though…

  • MAddie

    My picks are Dave Dobbyn, David Hasselhoff, Shania or Suzanne Prentice and Sia. Although now that you mention it, Natasha Bedingfield would be pretty great.

  • Newton Cook

    i think vince harder would be an awesome judge?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

    Just had a thought for 2 more judges…..Duffy and Dido :)

  • just sayin

    Suzanne Lynch because of she is one of the most knowledgeable people in the business and knows great vocal talent when she hears it, Mark Williams – kiwi icon and lead singer with Dragon, Gray Bartlett because he knows good talent when he sees it ( he got Hayley Westernra started) and Peter Averi – who works with the NXSO and produces Praise Be – Barnaby Weir would also be worth considering

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YN4GHCMAO22DHQEZAH6ZDVZ6YQ Blinkx

    I have a person in mind…its K.Lee
    Does anybody remember her? She was like the pop princess of New Zealand in 2003.
    She stopped singing after she moved to USA but last year she returned and she’s currently a radio host. I reckon she’d be a great judge. She was an iconic singer.

    • http://www.facebook.com/reganjcunliffe Regan Cunliffe

      Hell to the no!

  • Kiri

    kimbra/gin wigmore!

  • maliks wife

    DRYYYYYYYY! -.-

  • Yuri

    how can we take part in this competition??? Is X-factor going to go through Palmerston North…or we have to upload our video to X-factor NZ to register for audition… I have longed for this show so long…

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

      Don’t know about Palmerston North but they will probably have auditions through out New Zealand :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

    I think TV3 should have a judge from the US……the UK…..Australia and of course NZ that way whoever wins has got a good chance of being successful worldwide :)

  • Brent

    Hmm, what about Gin Wigmore? Not only is she widely known throughout New Zealand, but has also reached #1 on the RIANZ Singles Charts for 11 weeks. I think considering shes pretty successful that she’d be considered as well.

    • http://www.facebook.com/reganjcunliffe Regan Cunliffe

      I’m skeptical about Gin. Her latest Bond commercial does swing me in her favour though

    • http://twitter.com/MusickMakes MusickMakes

      She’s not bad. Also she’s very entertaining as well. I watched her on Vodafone Music Awards and she was really funny.

  • Brent

    Perhaps another good choice will be Annabel Fay?

    • http://www.facebook.com/reganjcunliffe Regan Cunliffe

      No, no, no…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

    Sounds like we will find out one of the judges names on Tuesday and this person is a superstar…there is speculation that it’s Mel B which I so hope not as I didn’t like her on the Aussie X Factor :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/patrick.smithnz Patrick Hoani Smith

    I think Mark Jensen should be asked to one of the judges. He has so much experience with music. He runs musical productions and has sold a song on Itunes. He might not be so famous and some people might not know him but he could be, and he is straight up giving criticism.

  • http://www.facebook.com/patrick.smithnz Patrick Hoani Smith

    Or Tyler Ward from America. Search him on youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/TylerWardMusic

  • http://www.facebook.com/patrick.smithnz Patrick Hoani Smith

    Mark Jensen should do this. He has so much experience in music. He has sold a song on Itunes. He does musical productions and he might not be that famous and not much people might no him but he could get famous from this. He was also in stars in their eyes. He is an awesome guy :)

  • http://twitter.com/robyngallagher Robyn Gallagher

    It’s interesting that Rachel Glucina at the NZ Herald reckons that Paul Henry “is expected to be named a judge on the much-hyped talent quest X Factor NZ”. O RLY? One of the fundamental elements of the X Factor is that the judges are music industry pros who’ll mentor the contestants. While Paul Henry is an experienced broadcaster, he has no music industry experience. Hmm…

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

      It would be a farce if Paul Henry is a judge on X Factor :(

  • http://twitter.com/MusickMakes MusickMakes

    My friends are saying that one of Mai FM radio hosts, K’Lee is being considered along with Anika Moa.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

      I actually think both of the female judges should be from outside NZ as it’s for an international recording contract not just NZ :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

      Actually I tweeted Natasha on Twitter about her being a judge on X Factor NZ and she tweeted me back that it would be fun to be a judge on X Factor so I don’t think there are any problems …just hope TV3 asked her :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

    As I’m hoping that X Factor NZ will discover a new NZ girl group Geri Halliwell would be perfect as one of the female judges, oh well, dreams are free :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=684221341 Trevor Ashman

      I posted a message on TV3′s X Factor Facebook page and asked if we could have Geri Halliwell as a judge and now it’s gone…interesting :)

  • Freedom kate harrison

    can myself to enter as just 25?