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The X Factor Australia: Iggy Azalea redeems herself in tearful debut

Iggy Azalea joined Adam Lambert (left) and Guy Sebastian (right) on the judging panel.

Iggy Azalea joined Adam Lambert (left) and Guy Sebastian (right) on the judging panel. Photo: Network Seven

Welcome home Iggy Azalea! You’ve had a shocker of a run lately – and, yes, some of it has been your fault, but on Monday night, with the rest of the judging panel on the new series of Channel Seven’s The X Factor, you nailed it.

You were charming, smart, intelligent in your comments and completely engaging. You even shed a tear! Where was that bête noire that I’ve been reading so much about?

The X Factor promised “mind blowing”, “astonishing” and “as you’ve never seen before” and, much to my surprise, it delivered.

Adam Lambert nailed the judging role, Guy Sebastian was like everybody’s lovely brother and, perhaps most importantly, the production team behind the show did a brilliant job. Whoever found the range of talent should be given a big fat pay rise.

First up was 15-year-old Natalie Ong from Melbourne. Perfectly placed as a great story of hard-working migrants (“I love spending time with my family, but not my Dad because he has two jobs to support us”), Natalie delivered a mature, credible performance of Christine Aguilera’s The Voice Within.

“You could win this show,” Iggy told her.

The second act Davey Woder, a 34-year-old tyre fitter from the Gold Coast (in the new “over” category), was more Ocker than Crocodile Dundee (“Lucky I am wearing the brown pants today, I can tell you”).

Davey stunned the judges and audience by saying he didn’t know any cover songs and he was going to sing something he had written himself. A pall of disbelief settled over the panel. Original song – you’ve got to be kidding me, their faces said.

Well he did it and it worked. He got a standing ovation. Guy talked about it being “authentic” and Iggy loved how he had told the story and called him ”awesome”.

One performer even reduced Iggy to tears.

One performer even reduced Iggy to tears.

Next up was Everything – a boy band (in the new group category) that could have stepped straight out of the 1990s complete with highly choreographed dance moves.

Iggy didn’t like it – and the audience booed her. She defended herself saying the dance moves created a “personality void”.

Smart thinking by one of the boys who offered to do a One Direction song with just a guitar and without the dance moves if she would give them a second chance.

She did and they made it through after she said,: “I’m not trying to crap on your performance – just focus on your vocals.”

Guy also pointed out that group member Sam’s vocals needed some work and snapped at the audience when they booed him too.

Adam just went on about their amazing hair.

Adam Lambert, Iggy Azalea and Guy Sebastian.

Adam Lambert, Iggy Azalea and Guy Sebastian.

There were more great and surprising acts – a ginger-haired brother and sister duo from New Zealand, The Brentwoods, and the wonderfully natural, confident Ruby Mills, a 24-year-old fishmonger from Queensland.

Iggy said her performance “electrified everybody”.

Naturally there were some cleverly cast misfires too. Memphis James, the muscular, handsome Melbourne bricklayer who was a male entertainer by night.

Iggy and Adam went into overdrive as he stripped off his shirt upon request, but after hearing him sing, Iggy recommended he apply for the Thunder from Down Under dance troupe instead.

Amalia Foy was a standout.

Amalia Foy was a standout.

The last act of the night was 14-year-old Amalia Foy, a Melbourne student, who reduced Iggy to tears with her Passenger song, while Guy rather charmingly noted he was still “picking his nose” when he was 14. Adam thought Australia had witnessed the birth of a superstar.

But I reckon we saw the rebirth of a superstar in Iggy Azalea. It’s early days, of course, but sometimes these talent shows are where tainted stars are reborn and Iggy is well on her way on the road to redemption.

Watch a preview of Iggy Azalea on The X Factor:

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