Melanie Blatt, Ruby Frost to judge X Factor NZ

  • Breaking
  • 30/01/2013

Melanie Blatt of UK pop group the All Saints and Kiwi singer-songwriter Ruby Frost will join Daniel Bedingfield and Stan Walker on the judging panel for TV3’s The X Factor NZ.

Melanie Blatt co-founded All Saints in 1993. The group went on to sell over 10 million albums and score nine top ten singles including ‘Never Ever’, ‘I Know Where It’s At’ and ‘Pure Shores', the theme from film The Beach.

“I can't wait to see what kind of artists and voices we are going to find in New Zealand,” says Blatt, who will be living with her daughter in the country for the duration of the series.

“I'm sure there is a wealth of untapped talent waiting to be found and nurtured. I also cannot wait to discover New Zealand properly. My daughter is a huge Lord of the Rings fan. We are beyond excited about living there for a bit.”

Ruby Frost won the inaugural MTV talent competition 42Unheard in 2009, giving her a recording contract with Universal Music. In 2010 she won the grand prize in the pop category of international John Lennon Songwriting Contest, with her hit song ‘Hazy.’ 

"I got my start in music through a live competition too, so I know what it's like to battle with nerves for a shot at your dream,” says Frost.

“I just want to share what I've learnt over the past few years; about recording, working with labels and publishers, and breaking into the local scene."

Co-executive producer Andrew Szusterman says he could not be happier with the judging panel for The X Factor NZ.

“Between them Mel and Daniel have sold over 14 million albums worldwide,” says Szusterman.

“Stan and Ruby have singles rotating on radio right now, meaning we have a panel that knows how the music industry works, and what it takes to achieve chart success. For New Zealand to have mentors of this calibre means we are on track to deliver a vibrant and fresh recording artist for the music industry.”

The search for The X Factor NZ contestants continues in Auckland this Friday and Saturday, and will visit New Plymouth, Whangarei and Kerikeri before finishing in Kaitaia on Waitangi Day.

More information is available on the official X Factor NZ website.

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source: newshub archive