# X Factor (Danish TV series) season 9

X Factor is a Danish television music competition to find new singing talent. In season 9, Sofie Linde Lauridsen replaced Eva Harlou as host. Thomas Blachman and Remee returned for their respective eighth and sixth seasons as judges, joined by newcomer Mette Lindberg. Lina Rafn, after four seasons as a judge, did not return. The winners were Embrace and Remee became the winning mentor for the third time and for the first time in the Danish X Factor history a judge has won two years in a row.

## Judges and hosts

On March 20, 2015, it was reported that Lina Rafn was considering leaving X Factor. Five days later, it was reported that Rafn would be leaving the show. At the final of season 8 on March 27, Rafn said in an interview that she did not know if she would continue as a judge. Thomas Blachman said it was maybe time for three new judges. On June 22, Rafn said that she was in doubt about returning to X Factor because she also wanted to focus on her own career. On June 26, Eva Harlou announced that she would not be returning as host for season 9. On June 29, it was announced that Sofie Linde Lauridsen would replace Harlou as host. On 14 July, it was reported that Rafn had left the show. The following day, it was announced that Rafn would not be returning as a judge for season 9. On 10 August, it was announced that the judges would be announced on 12 August.

## Selection process
### Auditions

Auditions took place in Copenhagen and Aarhus.

### 5 Chair Challenge

The 5 Chair Challenge was back for the ninth season. Mette Lindberg mentored the 15-22s, Thomas Blachman has the Over 23s and Remee has the Groups.
The 15 successful acts were:
* 15-22s: Alex, Anna, Elena, Mads Christian, Reem
* Over 23s: Andrew, Cirke, Heidi, Jacob, Sarah
* Groups: 3 Levels, Clifforth & Hein, The Competition, Embrace, Katinka & Sigrid

### Bootcamp

Remee, Lindberg and Blachman took their contestants to the island of Fejø. Each judge had their own base. Lindberg took the 15-22s to an old mill, Blachman took the Over 23s to a nursing home, and Remee took the Groups to a bath yard.
The 6 eliminated acts were:
* 15-22s: Anna, Elena
* Over 23s: Cirke, Heidi
* Groups: 3 Levels, Katinka & Sigrid

### Changes

For the first time in the Danish X Factor, the two contestants in the bottom two would not sing the same song they sang earlier in the live show, they would pick their own song.

## Contestants

Key:
    – Winner
    – Runner-up
| Act | Age(s) | Hometown | Category (mentor) | Result |
| Embrace | 19-22 | Holstebro | Groups (Remee) | Winner |
| Reem Hamze | 17 | Lyngby | 15-22s (Lindberg) | Runner-up |
| Alex Benson | 22 | Nærum | 15-22s (Lindberg) | 3rd place |
| Andrew Murray | 52 | Helsingør | Over 23s (Blachman) | 4th place |
| Clifforth & Hein | 43-47 | Give & Fredericia | Groups (Remee) | 5th place |
| Mads Christian | 16 | Copenhagen | 15-22s (Lindberg) | 6th place |
| The Competition | 21 | Sindal & Aalborg | Groups (Remee) | 7th place |
| Sarah Glerup | 30 | Maribo | Over 23s (Blachman) | 8th place |
| Jacob Bering | 23 | Skanderborg | Over 23s (Blachman) | 9th place |

## Live shows

The live shows started on February 19, 2016 at DR Byen.

### Colour key

| – | Contestant was in the bottom two and had to sing again in the Sing-Off |
| – | Contestant received the fewest public votes and was immediately eliminated (no Sing-Off) |
| – | Contestant received the most public votes |
Contestants' colour key:
* – 15-22s (Lindberg's contestants)
* – Over 23s (Blachman's contestants)
* – Groups (Remee's contestants)
| | Contestant | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 7 |
| | Contestant | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | 1st round | 2nd round |
| | Embrace | 3rd 14.10% | 1st 22.64% | 1st 22.68% | 2nd 22.08% | 1st 23.45% | 1st 29.68% | 1st 41.25% | Winners 59.72% |
| | Reem Hamze | 1st 26.70% | 2nd 18.12% | 3rd 15.76% | 1st 24.57% | 3rd 22.98% | 3rd 24.81% | 2nd 39.45% | Runner-Up 40.28% |
| | Alex Benson | 5th 7.28% | 4th 12.79% | 5th 11.39% | 5th 12.70% | 4th 20.36% | 2nd 27.46% | 3rd 19.30% | Eliminated (Week 7) |
| | Andrew Murray | 2nd 15.39% | 5th 9.93% | 2nd 16.88% | 3rd 16.66% | 2nd 23.27% | 4th 18.06% | Eliminated (Week 6) | Eliminated (Week 6) |
| | Clifforth & Hein | 4th 12.09% | 3rd 16.23% | 4th 13.63% | 4th 13.24% | 5th 9.94% | Eliminated (Week 5) | Eliminated (Week 5) | Eliminated (Week 5) |
| | Mads Christian | 6th 6.92% | 6th 9.69% | 6th 10.76% | 6th 10.75% | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) | Eliminated (Week 4) |
| | The Competition | 7th 6.91% | 7th 5.72% | 7th 8.91% | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) | Eliminated (Week 3) |
| | Sarah Glerup | 8th 6.30% | 8th 4.88% | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) | Eliminated (Week 2) |
| | Jacob Bering | 9th 4.30% | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) | Eliminated (Week 1) |
| Sing-Off | Sing-Off | Jacob Bering, Sarah Glerup | The Competition, Sarah Glerup | The Competition, Mads Christian | Alex Benson, Mads Christian | Clifforth & Hein, Alex Benson | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. |
| Remee voted out | Remee voted out | Jacob Bering | Sarah Glerup | Mads Christian | Mads Christian | Alex Benson | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. |
| Lindberg voted out | Lindberg voted out | Sarah Glerup | Sarah Glerup | The Competition | — | Clifforth & Hein | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. |
| Blachman voted out | Blachman voted out | Jacob Bering | The Competition | The Competition | Mads Christian | Clifforth & Hein | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. | The act that received the fewest public votes was automatically eliminated. |
| Eliminated | Eliminated | Jacob Bering 9th | Sarah Glerup 8th | The Competition 7th | Mads Christian 6th | Clifforth & Hein 5th | Andrew Murray 4th | Alex Benson 3rd | Reem Hamze Runner-Up |
| Eliminated | Eliminated | Jacob Bering 9th | Sarah Glerup 8th | The Competition 7th | Mads Christian 6th | Clifforth & Hein 5th | Andrew Murray 4th | Alex Benson 3rd | Embrace Winner |

### Live show details
#### Week 1 (February 19)

* Theme: Signature
Contestants' performances on the first live show :
| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| Embrace | 1 | "You Don't Own Me" | Safe |
| Jacob Bering | 2 | "Hotline Bling" | Bottom two |
| Alex Benson | 3 | "Somebody to Love Me" | Safe |
| Clifforth & Hein | 4 | "Your Love Will Blow Me Away When My Heart Aches" | Safe |
| Sarah Glerup | 5 | "Strict Machine" | Bottom two |
| Mads Christian | 6 | "Locked Out of Heaven" | Safe |
| The Competition | 7 | "Girls & Boys" | Safe |
| Reem Hamze | 8 | "Stay" | Safe |
| Andrew Murray | 9 | "Tick Tick Boom" | Safe |
| Sing-Off details ||||
| Jacob Bering | 1 | "I Took a Pill in Ibiza" | Eliminated |
| Sarah Glerup | 2 | "Time" | Saved |

##### Judges' votes to eliminate

* Lindberg: Sarah Glerup
* Remee: Jacob Bering
* Blachman: Jacob Bering

#### Week 2 (February 26)

* Theme: Scandinavian songs
* Musical guest: Julie Bergan ("All Hours")
Contestants' performances on the second live show :
| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| The Competition | 1 | "Mamma Mia" | Bottom two |
| Reem Hamze | 2 | "Lost in the Girl" | Safe |
| Andrew Murray | 3 | "Get the Fuck Out of My Mind" | Safe |
| Clifforth & Hein | 4 | "Hjem" | Safe |
| Alex Benson | 5 | "Some Die Young" | Safe |
| Embrace | 6 | "Frit Land" | Safe |
| Sarah Glerup | 7 | "Vi to er smeltet sammen" | Bottom two |
| Mads Christian | 8 | "Uopnåelig" | Safe |
| Sing-Off details ||||
| The Competition | 1 | "Rollercoaster" | Saved |
| Sarah Glerup | 2 | "Enjoy the Silence" | Eliminated |

##### Judges' votes to eliminate

* Remee: Sarah Glerup
* Blachman: The Competition
* Lindberg: Sarah Glerup

#### Week 3 (March 4)

* Theme: Songs from the contestant's birthyears
Contestants' performances on the third live show :
| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| Reem Hamze | 1 | "No Scrubs" | Safe |
| Clifforth & Hein | 2 | "Light My Fire" | Safe |
| Alex Benson | 3 | "Missing" | Safe |
| The Competition | 4 | "Basket Case" | Bottom two |
| Mads Christian | 5 | "Trouble" | Bottom two |
| Andrew Murray | 6 | "El Toro" | Safe |
| Embrace | 7 | "Ready or Not" | Safe |
| Sing-Off details ||||
| The Competition | 1 | "Mr. Jones" | Eliminated |
| Mads Christian | 2 | "Life Is Worth Living" | Saved |

##### Judges' votes to eliminate

* Lindberg: The Competition
* Remee: Mads Christian
* Blachman: The Competition

#### Week 4 (March 11)

* Theme: Radiohits (songs that have been in the top 10 on the Danish airplay chart)
Contestants' performances on the fourth live show :
| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| Alex Benson | 1 | "Hold Back the River" | Bottom two |
| Embrace | 2 | "Ain't Nobody (Loves Me Better)" | Safe |
| Mads Christian | 3 | "Stitches" | Bottom two |
| Andrew Murray | 4 | "Galgary" | Safe |
| Clifforth & Hein | 5 | "Free" | Safe |
| Reem Hamze | 6 | "Hello" | Safe |
| Sing-Off details ||||
| Alex Benson | 1 | "The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore" | Saved |
| Mads Christian | 2 | "It Will Rain" | Eliminated |

##### Judges' votes to eliminate

* Lindberg: Refused to choose between two of her contestants
* Blachman: Mads Christian
* Remee: Mads Christian

#### Week 5 (March 18)

* Theme: David Bowie songs
* Musical guest: Emilie Esther ("Inescapable")
* Group Performance: "Let's Dance"
Contestants' performances on the fifth live show :
| Act | Order | Song | Result |
| Clifforth & Hein | 1 | "The Man Who Sold the World" | Bottom two |
| Andrew Murray | 2 | "Life On Mars?" | Safe |
| Reem Hamze | 3 | "Quicksand" | Safe |
| Embrace | 4 | "Absolute Beginners" | Safe |
| Alex Benson | 5 | "Space Oddity" | Bottom two |
| Sing-Off details ||||
| Clifforth & Hein | 1 | "The Drugs Don't Work" | Eliminated |
| Alex Benson | 2 | "Rewind" | Saved |

##### Judges' votes to eliminate

* Lindberg: Clifforth & Hein
* Remee: Alex Benson
* Blachman: Clifforth & Hein

#### Week 6: Semi-final (25 March)

* Theme: Viewers choice; Audition songs
* Musical guest: Citybois ("Purple light") and ("Hot body")
Contestants' performances on the sixth live show :
| Act | Order | First song | Order | Second song | Result |
| Andrew Murray | 1 | "School's Out" | 5 | "All Right Now" | Eliminated |
| Reem Hamze | 2 | "Born to Die" | 6 | "Nirvana" | Safe |
| Embrace | 3 | "Fast Car" | 8 | How to Be a Heartbreaker" | Safe |
| Alex Benson | 4 | "Gravity" | 7 | "Last Request" | Safe |
The semi-final did not feature a Sing-Off and instead the act with the fewest public votes, Andrew Murray, was automatically eliminated.

#### Week 7: Final (1 April)

* Theme: Free Choice; Duet with Musical Guests; winner's single
* Musical guest: Phlake ("Angel Zoo") and ("Pregnant")
* Group Performances: "Never Forget You" (MNEK and Zara Larsson; Performed of Alex Benson, Reem Hamze, and Embrace); "Thank You for the Music"/"Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" (ABBA/Silentó); (auditionees); "History" (One Direction) (Performed of X Factor 2016 contestants)
Contestants' performances on the seventh live show :
| Act | Order | Free Choice Song | Order | Duet with Musical guests (Musical Guests) | Order | Winner's single | Result |
| Alex Benson | 1 | "Crazy" | 4 | "Painkillers" and "Tunnel Vision" (with Patrick Dorgan and Mads Langer) | N/A | N/A (Already eliminated) | 3rd Place |
| Embrace | 2 | "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" | 5 | "Shackled Up" and "Casual" (with Alex Vargas and Scarlet Pleasure) | 8 | "Commitment Issues" | Winner |
| Reem Hamze | 3 | "Where Are Ü Now" | 6 | "Golden" and "I Won't Let You Down" (with Brandon Beal and Christopher) | 7 | "All That I Want'" | Runner-up |