Ronan Keating Becomes X Factor Judge

The X-Factor starts on Monday!

The Australian X-Factor starts on Monday 30th August on TXF at 7.30pm! The show will continue on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as we follow the audition process! You can check out some photos from the show below!







from official site

Riviera motor yachts have the X Factor.
August 26, 2010

Riviera, Australia’s most awarded pleasure boat builder will show Australia it has the X Factor when the iconic boat builder stars in episode one of Channel Seven’s new hit TV talent show ‘The X Factor’ that goes to air on Monday August 30.


Riviera Sport Yachts crusing through Sydney Harbour as they escort the X Factor judges - Photo Credit Riviera

According to the world’s most discerning boat owners, Riviera has always had the X Factor and proof of this will be seen on Monday night when four of Riviera’s latest models from its spectacular Sport motor Yacht range grace the nation’s television screens.

The sleek, stylish and sophisticated black hulled beauties will be seen escorting the X Factor judges, singer Natalie Imbruglia, former Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, radio host Kyle Sandilands and Irish singer Ronan Keating to the first round of auditions at Sydney’s Luna Park.



Riviera's black hulled beauties escorted the X Factor judges to the Sydney auditions - Photo Credit Riviera

Riviera’s Director of Brand and Communications Stephen Milne said it was an honour to be invited to star in Channel Seven’s new TV talent show.

“It was a fantastic opportunity and four passionate Riviera owners generously made their boats available for the X Factor shoot,” Mr Milne said.


Riviera's Stephen Milne with Natalie Imbruglia and Guy Sebastian on board a Riviera Sport Yacht - Photo Credit Riviera

“We certainly put the Sport Yachts through their paces in Sydney Harbour manoeuvring around harbour traffic and running in line from the heads to the Opera House on what was a beautiful, clear winter’s day – perfect for boating.”


Filming begins on board the Riviera Sport Yacht - Photo Credit Riviera

The first episode of Channel Seven’s ‘The X Factor’ will be screened on Monday, August 30 at 7.30pm EST so tune in to see Riviera’s Sport Yacht range powering up Sydney Harbour.

Natalie Imbruglia cries at Aussie X Factor contestant`s cancer battle
Aug 31, 2010

Natalie Imbruglia cried and Ronan Keating gave a standing ovation when a cancer sufferer sang on the Australian version of The X Factor.

Karl Dimachki, 31, who sang Lionel Richie's Hello, appeared in the show's Melbourne auditions.

The show was broadcast Down Under on Tuesday. (August 31)

He told the judges he had lost half of his tongue and had his lymph nodes removed after undergoing treatment for tongue cancer 18 months ago.

Karl said: 'I never really thought I'd get this far because of my cancer.

'The doctors said I wouldn't be able to sing again or talk properly.

'But here I am.'

Ronan said: 'Wow. We’ll see you in boot camp. Well done.'

Natalie said: 'You are very very brave and you have such a beautiful voice.'

The X Factor - number one show last night
3 Sep, 10


THE X FACTOR finished its audition shows last night, as the Number One show in the country, with an average audience of 1.366 million viewers – peaking at over 1.5 million viewers.

It led all the key demographics – including the 25-45 people demo. It capped off a big first week for THE X FACTOR on Seven.

Last night, we witnessed some amazing performances including 20-year old apprentice hairdresser Sally Chatfield, who blew the judges away and inspired Kyle Sandilands to kiss her feet in praise; as well as memorable moments with girl group Mahogany; and 18 year old singer Chris Doe.

This Sunday and Monday, the contestants move to ‘Boot Camp” – where they discover which judge will be mentoring their groups – Under 25 girls, Under 25 guys, Over 25s and the Groups.

The judges will be joined by industry special guests to help start the culling process for their groups as we head into the Live performance shows, only two weeks away.

- Kylie Sandilands will be joined by Aussie DJ Havana Brown

- Guy Sebastian gets a helping hand from Thirsty Merc’s Rai Thistlethwayte

- Natalie Imbruglia gets some industry expertise from MTV Network’s Rebecca Batties

- Ronan Keating’s long-time manager Mark Plunkett joins him at the judge’s desk



The judges will then select their most promising contestants from each of their four categories to take to the next stage of the competition - Judge's Houses, where they will travel overseas for a final shot at getting into the Top 3.

THE X FACTOR continues this Sunday and Monday at 7.30pm. It is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Channel Seven. www.xfactortv.com.au

X-Factor Galleries



http://au.tv.yahoo.com/x-factor/galleries/gallery/-/7864862/1/episode-3/

Guide to Bootcamp



With the auditions behind us X Factor moves into the toughest stage of the competition yet – BOOTCAMP! It’s war and the judges will take no prisoners in their quest for victory. But what is Bootcamp all about and how exactly does it work? Read on to find out...

1. Each of the judges (Natalie, Ronan, Guy and Kyle) are randomly given one of the following categories to mentor – Under 25 Girls, Under 25 Boys, Groups and Over 25s.



2. Once they’ve been given their category each judge will choose an industry friend to assist them with the Bootcamp process. They will reveal this person to their respective contestants.



3. Contestants in each category compete in two challenges over two days.



4. The challenges in each category are at the judge’s discretion. 



5. Each contestant is given less than 24 hours (in some cases only one hour) to learn a song chosen by their mentor. It could be anything from pop to rock and everything in between.



6. Contestants in each category must perform the songs they are given for their mentor.



7. At the end of Bootcamp Day 1 only 12 contestants in each category, chosen by their mentor, will go through to Bootcamp Day 2.



8. The remaining 12 contestants in each category take part in Bootcamp Day 2 and are given their second challenge by their respective mentor. 



9. Contestants in each category must perform the song given to them by their mentor in the second challenge on Bootcamp Day 2.

10. From the 12 contestants in each category the respective mentor/judge will choose their Top 6 to go through to the next stage of the competition.

 Who will survive these grueling challenges? Who will win the ultimate prize? Who has the X Factor?
 One thing is for sure, the 48-hour Bootcamp will separate the contenders from the pretenders, so stay tuned!

voter pour Ronan

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/polls/popup/-/poll_id/56565/

No divorce of X Factor yet

From: The Daily Telegraph
September 07, 2010 9:20PM

IT's just two weeks into its controversy-hit first season, but it's understood that Channel 7 has already commissioned a second season of X Factor.

Officially Seven is yet to confirm the move, with a spokesman saying: "Nothing confirmed but feel free to speculate."

It's believed the network multi-million dollar talent show has been slated for another run in 2011, with judges Kyle Sandilands, Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia and Ronan Keating expected to retain their spots.

The X Factor recap: What's my name again?
Christine Kellett
September 7, 2010

We recap last night's episode of The X Factor.

There's no doubt Network Ten's MasterChef set the reality television bar high, what with its record ratings and rehab-averse hosts (not one, but three, damn them.)

But The X Factor producers must have been cursing Ten again when they stumbled across the revised tear quota in the updated Australian Reality Television Code of Practice (2010).

That can be the only explanation for last night's ridiculously over-done blub fest. But we can't say we weren't warned. The opening montage featured no less than 12 contestants and judges in varying states of misty-eyed distress.

For what? It's week two. We hardly know these people. We don't care enough yet. Okay the guy with the tongue story was sad, but c'mon.

It was particularly galling that we were expected to feel sympathy for singing contestants WHO COULDN'T EVEN REMEMBER THE WORDS.

Last night we rejoined the hopefuls in boot camp, which clearly did not include a course of Cogmed memory training. Instead, we were promised a major cull was about to take place, with each of the four judges slashing their group numbers to just six, beginning with Ronan's golden oldies, otherwise known as the Over 25s.

After a swift succession of auditions last week, The X Factor talent has already been whittled down from open auditions through to boot camp and is now at the 'Judges Houses'.

In keeping with the international editions of the show, the X Factor judges will be accompanied by a celebrity assistant to help them pick the best line-up for the live shows, where contestants will be up for the audience vote.

Each of the judges has been given a talent category to mentor and will be expected to pick their 'best three' from the contestants who have made it through auditions.

Kyle Sandilands has been paired with Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland and will travel to the United States to judge the Under 25 Boys category, while Natalie Imbruglia will be responsibility for the Under 25 Girls -- and gets to have a tropical adventure on Richard Branson's private British Virgin Island, Nekker Island where Sir Richard himself will assist in her in the decision-making process.

Ronan Keating will be reunited with Boyzone bandmates in Dublin to reduce the number of Over 25 contestants. Finally, Groups mentor Guy Sebastian will enlist the expertise of Snoop Dogg and Usher in the US, challenged with producing an impressive selection of group talent for the live shows.

do you have a question for any of the judges? Post your question on here or on this link
http://au.messages.yahoo.com/tv/the_x_factor/1476/

Ronan Keating topping Charts with Australian X factor

The Australian X FACTOR finished its audition shows last week, as the Number 1 most viewed show in the country, peaking at over 1.5 million viewers. As with its counterpart in the UK the show was filled with amazing and laughable performances as the audition process came to an end. Ronan Keating along with the other judges will now select the final contestants from ‘Boot Camp’ before advancing to the live shows. All the judges will be joined by industry special guests to help start the culling process for their groups as we head into the live performance shows, only two weeks away. Ronan has chosen long-time manager Mark Plunkett to join him as his industry guest.

RONAN KEATING GETS EASIER RIDE DOWN UNDER
Thursday September 9,2010

IS Ronan Keating looking to make a fresh start in Oz? The Boyzone singer, whose wife Yvonne confirmed their separation last week following their original announcement in May – is rumoured to be lined up for another series as a judge on the Australian X Factor, which kicked off last month.

The 33-year-old father of three is thrilled that the show looks likely to be recommissioned. He said: “It’s worked in lots of other countries as well. I’ve been excited since I got the call to ask if I’d do it.

“So I don’t think it’s unique to the UK. I think it’s a wonderful format.”

A spokesperson for the show said: “Nothing is confirmed but feel free to speculate.”

After the couple split, it emerged that Ronan had been having an affair with dancer Francine Cornell, 26.

Recently he said of the reaction in the UK: “I got a hammering, these things happen and are to be expected.

“I was delighted to come down here to Australia.”

Ronan recently brought his X-Factor finalists over to Ireland to film for the show and meet the rest of the Boyz! Read what Ronan had to say about the trip below -

'It was a great buzz for me to bring the X Factor and my six group finalists over to my home, Ireland. We had two great days at stunning Luttrellstown Castle, on the outsk...irts of Dublin. My bandmates, Keith, Mikey & Shane joined me to help select my final three to take to the live shows. They also helped out when it came to showing everyone a few sights and sounds of our famous Dublin hospitality'!

Ronan's group - The top 3



decision time for Ronan. Will he keep the faith with Altiyan or is it finally the end of the road?

Ronan Keating Q&A

Ronan Keating has answered YOUR questions!

1. Why did you decide to eliminate Harry Abu?
Harry has a great voice but I could not see Harry selling records around the world - just not unique enough.

2. If you were the one on stage in front of the judges auditioning, what song would you sing and why?
Something that can show off my voice but also that everyone is familiar with, so probably 'Father and Son'

3. If you could have a contestant or contestants from any of the other categories, who would it be?
I think Sally from Nat's group and Lazy J and Big Boy - cant believe they are gone.

4. What’s the biggest challenge of being a judge on The X Factor?
Now it's all about picking the right songs for my acts and helping them become the stars we believe they are.

5. What do you think constitutes the indefinable qualities that a musician has to have in actual performance?
Connection with the audience, stage presence, belief in what they are doing and most of all, talent!

Comme à son habitude Ronan nous montre sa générosité en répondant aux questions!!!!

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My best teacher - Ronan Keating
Published in TES Magazine on 17 September, 2010 | By: Meabh Ritchie

The moustached, French-speaking Mr Stanley made the Boyzone singer warm to school life

I moved about a lot when I was a kid because of my dad’s job. Mr Stanley was my French teacher when I was at St Fintan’s School in Dublin. He was just cool. You meet these people along the way who “get” you and understand you. With Mr Stanley, I felt that he was on a level, which you didn’t get with a lot of teachers. He understood us and was on our wavelength.

I wasn’t incredibly academic, but I did try. I liked French. I wasn’t very good at it, but Mr Stanley understood the way we worked. I took French all the way through, but I didn’t finish school: I left when I was 16 to join Boyzone.

Mr Stanley wasn’t incredibly tall - about the height I am now - and he had a moustache. He seemed like quite a cultured chap for his age. Being a French teacher, he had obviously spent a bit of time on the continent. He was about 35 when I was 12 or 13. He was very friendly with us all; chatty and not overly strict, which is probably why most of the lads liked him.

Sport was important to me at school. I was the first out of the door when it was PE. I was on the athletics team and the football team when I was about 11 or 12. I was Irish champion for the 200 metres.

I was thrown out of the choir at National School (primary), but that was probably for messing about rather than my singing ability. I loved singing, but it wasn’t my priority when I was a younger kid. Music took over when I was about 11.

My brothers and sisters started emigrating to America and I inherited their music collection. Because of that, I got into music in a big way and started singing. It was a mad collection: everything from Frank Sinatra to Queen; The Alan Parsons Project to The Police. I would be singing into a hairbrush in my bedroom in front of the mirror. This was the music that I loved and I really wanted to make it. I was in a school band that won a few talent shows. We would do covers and that’s where it really started for me.

My parents were always supportive. It was a tough decision for my mam and dad to let me leave school to join Boyzone. My mam said: “I’ll let you do it, but you’ll have to promise to go back to school if it fails.” Luckily, I haven’t had to go back yet.

My kids (aged 11, nine and four) are just in a normal school. My nine- year-old daughter has dyslexia and she is in this incredible class called the Unit. The teachers are wonderful. There weren’t things like that when I was at school.

If my kids wanted to get into the music business that would be fine. But they would have to want to do it because they want to be good at it - not because they want to be famous.

That’s the problem with the youth of today: everyone wants to be famous. They think it’s easy, but it’s hard work. It was different when I was younger, because we didn’t have reality TV and all those different things that have changed the way people look at the entertainment industry.

Mr Stanley was just a good person. When you are a kid, you are not a big fan of teachers, and he made me think: ‘You know what? Teachers are ok.’

Singer-songwriter Ronan Keating was a member of Boyzone and is currently on the judging panel for ‘The X Factor’ (Australia) He was talking to Meabh Ritchie.

Final 12 and mentors prepare for battle
September 17, 2010

The X Factor final 12 are resting their vocals, fine-tuning their dance moves and gearing up as they reach the pointy end of the competition - the live shows - on Sunday night.

But while contestants insist there is no animosity between them - they're just "one big happy family" - the real story lies in the competition between the judges.

Ronan Keating, Natalie Imbruglia, Guy Sebastian and Kyle Sandilands all think their charges are the most promising acts in the Seven Network's ultimate talent quest.

And it seems the feeling is mutual.

"We all love Nat. We all feel very lucky," says Hayley Teal, one of Imbruglia's three singers in the female under 25 category.

"She genuinely cares about our careers. I'm actually quite impressed and shocked that a star who's sold ten million albums, who's very busy with their own career and their own life, is always there for us ... she's just so supportive.

"I guess everyone's biased with their mentor. It's a bit of a competition - who gets to hang out with their judge the most.

"But I think the girls have scored the best mentor."

Teal, 20, says while the contestants are busy creating a support network for each other, the judges are the ones more focused on the competition.

Sebastian is looking after groups, Sandilands has boys under 25s and Keating is mentor to the over 25s category - and each one has said they're desperate to win.

But don't be fooled. Just because they're all mates, doesn't mean the final 12 aren't just as desperate to win Australia's latest incarnation of the massive international hit show.

"To win it would be incredible, but I can't even think about that at the moment," Teal said.

"I always said I wanted to get to the top 12. That was my goal, and I'd feel like I'd won it. It's so surreal ...to be part of the final 12. It's fantastic. I feel so lucky to be part of it all."

A seasoned performer - she made her first appearance on stage at the age of 13 - Teal admits she may have a head start on some of her fellow competitors.

"I'm very comfortable with the stage and singing, but some people haven't been on the stage as much and it must be very very daunting for them. I feel for those people," she says.

"I guess I'm lucky that I've had to accustom myself to the stage and singing, but this is obviously on a huge scale so it is still very, very nerve-wracking for me.

"Even yesterday I was in a dance rehearsal and I was on the stage and it was just amazing.

"It just all hit me, lots of pressure, and I was thinking, 'Wow, this is it. I'm finally here after all these years of singing on a small little stage or on the stool in the back of a pub'."

The X Factor's first live show airs on Sunday, September 19 at 7.30pm, on Seven.

AAP

The X Factor: which judge has the best singers?



Channel Seven has spent a billion dollars on The X Factor, and it shows — the first live finale episode looked incredible.

But is an expensive-looking set enough to get viewers past Australian Idol fatigue? It all depends on the singers, so it's lucky that the top 12 is of a higher standard than anything we saw on Idol in the last couple of years.

Actually, it doesn't all depend on the singers. What sets apart X Factor and Idol is that the former's judges each mentor a particular group of contestants, which leads to a whole new level of squabbling on the judges' table. It's the rising tension between Kyle Sandilands and Natalie Imbruglia (they hate each other in real life, right?) that'll keep me coming back to the show.

But a note for the judges: when you're not squabbling and you actually like a performance, can you not use the phrase "I can't fault that"? You each used it a dozen times each. Find something else to say.

RONAN KEATING — OVER-25S

Ronan probably has the hardest group to mentor: no one cares about over-25 pop wannabes. His first singer, Amanda, did a polished performance of 'Closer', spurring Guy into that awful reality TV trick where he said, "That wasn't good... it was amazing!" Blergh. Hate when they do that. Kyle cruelly points out that Amanda's never made it because she has a crappy personality, though you'd think Kyle's success is proof that you don't need a good personality to get famous.

Kyle's boorishness continued with James, who he "hates for no reason". Charming. It's probably a compliment to be hated by Kyle, though the other judges didn't seem too keen on James's version of 'With A Little Help From My Friends'. Which: yeah, it was pretty naff.

Altiyan closed off the first performance episode with 'Hey Soul Sister'. I feel sorry for poor Altiyan — desperation clings to him like old sweat. Natalie rightly dissed his hipster-circus-ringleader jacket, while Kyle demanded he shave off his "minge" soul patch. Despite that, I get the feeling the judges are reluctant to be too mean to Altiyan; it'd be like kicking a stray dog.

Overall, a pretty solid night — a good start to the finals, but will viewers have the patience to stick around till the grand finale?


http://www.yourtv.com.au/blog.aspx?blogentryid=705656&showcomments=true

Natalie Imbruglia to join Boyzone

October 3, 2010 11

Aussie songstress, Natalie Imbruglia, is set to replace Boyzone's Keith Duffy for a one-off tribute set to mark the first anniversary of the death of Stephen Gately today.

Imbruglia will join Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch on stage in tonight's episode of 'The X Factor' in Australia. Both Keating and Imbruglia are judges on the Australian version of the hit show.

As previously reported by Pressparty, Duffy will spend the first anniversary of Gately's death at a secret service in Ireland where his former bandmate's ashes will be scattered.

The singer was Dannii Minogue's guest on last night's (October 2) episode of X Factor.

Imbruglia to join Boyzone for tribute
October 3, 2010, 8:11 pm

Natalie Imbruglia will step out from behind the X Factor judging desk and become an honorary member of Irish group Boyzone for a special performance on the anniversary of former member Stephen Gately's death.

The pop singer will temporarily replace Keith Duffy to join Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and fellow X Factor judge Ronan Keating for an emotional performance on the first anniversary of the star's death next Sunday, the News of the World reports.

Gately died from an undiagnosed heart condition at his Spanish holiday home in Majorca, aged just 33.

Duffy, who is unable to make the trip to Australia because of commitments in the UK, said it will be a tough time for all the guys.

"It is going to be hard not going and I will miss the rest of the boys," he said.

"I'll be pretty sad on the anniversary."

But Duffy said he was more than happy that Imbruglia would be filling in for him.

It's the first time in 15 years the boy band has allowed a girl in on the act.

"I always fancied her from Neighbours so it's nice to know she has taken my place," he said.
While the rest of the Boyzone guys are in Australia, Duffy will help scatter Gately's ashes at his favourite countryside spot just north of Dublin.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/-/entertainment/8061671/imbruglia-to-join-boyzone-for-tribute/

Ronan Keating will sing X Factor tribute to Boyzone star Stephen Gately with Boyzone mates
October 11, 2010


HE died a year ago yesterday but Stephen Gately will be on stage in spirit and song when Ronan Keating and two co-members of Boyzone perform a tribute to their fallen mate on The X Factor tonight.

Keating, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch will perform their hit Gave It All Away which Gately, 33 when he died, sang and will again tonight when he appears singing on a big screen during the song.

It will be a poignant moment for the trio who yesterday used each other for support on a tough day they handled together, but differently.

"The boys are here which makes it a little bit easier and we try to be around each other on his birthday or whatever the day may be," Keating told Confidential.

"But it's hard to believe it is a year. We still feel like he is still around and still with us it's like he's on holidays, and it's surreal to know that he has gone.

"I went up to mass in a church in The Rocks, I had a bit of time on my own and said a few prayers'.

Graham and Lynch arrived from Ireland on Saturday night, the latter thinking of the good times and what a great friend Gately, who died in his sleep in Majorca, had been.

"It's brilliant as long as we can honour and commemorate Stephen," he said.

But it seemed harder for Graham, who is nonetheless excited by tonight's performance.

The remaining member of Boyzone, Keith Duffy could not attend due to filming commitments on the English soap Coronation Street

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/ronan-keating-will-sing-x-factor-tribute-to-boyzone-star-stephen-gately-with-boyzone-mates/story-e6frfmqr-1225936874055