The X Factor: Lashardia (season three)

**The third season** of the Lashardian version of the music competition show *The X Factor*, *The X Factor: Lashardia*, began airing on LRT on 30 November 2016.

The competition consists of auditions, in front of producers and then the judges with a live audience; boot camp; *The Six Chair Challenge*, judges' houses and then the live finals. Auditions for the show began in early summer 2016 and concluded in early autumn 2016. The show was hosted by Lashardian TV presenter Katia Ninömeyer, while the judging panel consisted of Pal Nigtöfoor, Darya Shashinöbach, Zaras Abdulöfarwa, and the new judge Sabina Tomötimosen after Ebona Jonölark's departure.

## Judges and host

Following the conclusion of the show's second season, Nigtöfoor, Shashinöbach, Abdulöfarwa, and Ninömeyer all announced they'd be returning for a third season while Jonölark stated she'd be departing from the show due to priorities with her music career. In late spring, it was confirmed that Sabina Tomötimosen, Malisa, and Olia Janisöpfleg had all been contacted to be the fourth judge. Tomötimosen was later revealed as the new judge shortly before producer auditions commenced.

In an August 2016 interview, Tomötimosen stated that she was almost dropped from the judging position due to actively releasing music for rival record label Cyclops Records, but that "everything thankfully was worked out between the labels".

## Selection process

### Auditions

Auditions for producers began in Ubenmoor, on 14 June. They then took place in Pivot, Jurgensland, on 18 June, and continued in Kesa, Nortensland on 24 June. More auditions took place in Basya, Nortensland on 26 June, Cliffall, Mortasland on 30 June, Boras, Palsland on 4 July and finished in Beck, Skaarsland on 10 July.

For auditioners not able to attend the in-person auditions, they were able to submit an audition tape to producers.

The last set of auditions took place during August 2016. These auditions individually occur simultaneously before both the judges and a live studio audience; and with such audience in attendance able to applaud/cheer approval or disapproval and perhaps influencing the judges.

Summary of judges' auditions
 Kesa | 14 August 2016
 Basya | 16 August 2016
 Cliffall | 24 August 2016
 Boras | 27 August 2016
 Beck | 30 August 2016

### Boot camp

Boot camp was broadcast in a single episode on 11 January 2017. The contestants all chose a song from a wall with sheets of paper attached. Each song appeared three times and the three acts who picked the same song would perform that song as a group. Immediately after each performance, the judges would either put the acts through or eliminate them immediately. 108 acts were successful in this part, and the judges then deliberated to cut the number of contestants down further, to decide who would reach the six-chair challenge. At the end of boot camp, the judges discovered which categories they would mentor: Nigtöfoor was given the Girls, Tomötimosen was given the Boys, Abdulöfarwa was given the Over 25s, and Shashinöbach was given the Groups.

### *The Six Chair Challenge*

*The Six Chair Challenge* was broadcast over two episodes on 18 and 19 January. Tomötimosen and Nigtöfoor chose their final 6 acts during Wednesday's show, while Abdulöfarwa and Shashinöbach picked their acts during Thursday's show.

### Judges' houses

The locations and guest judges for the judges' houses stage were officially confirmed on 7 January 2017. Nigtöfoor was assisted in Jorden by Aurora Jonöbenhardt, Tomötimosen went to Hoffmann with Katia Charkölarssen, Abdulöfarwa went to his Port of Lashardia home where he was joined by Velvetina, and Shashinöbach went to Morgana with Nanna Charkögaard. Four more acts were chosen as wildcards to go to judges' houses. Nigtöfoor chose Francheska Palödemöön for Abdulöfarwa, Abdulöfarwa chose Edvard Tomas for Tomötimosen, Tomötimosen chose Skeleton Boys for Shashinöbach, and Shashinöbach chose Ana Andrej for Nigtöfoor.

The judges houses episodes were broadcast on 25 and 26 January 2017.

Summary of judges' houses
 Abdulöfarwa
 Tomötimosen
 Shashinöbach

## Finalists

*See also: List of The X Factor: Lashardia finalists (season three).*

The final 12 finalists were confirmed as follows;

Key

     – Eliminated

## Live shows

The live shows begin on 1 February 2017. On 30 January, it was revealed that two of the groups would undergo name changes. The new names were revealed as California Dreams (California Dreamin') and Skeleton Twins (Skeleton Boys).

New for this season, each results show reveals the acts in the bottom three of the votes, and there is then a second round of 'flash votes' which lasts approximately five minutes, with voting only available via the official *The X Factor* mobile app. The act who tops this vote avoids the final showdown. Also new, the theme for each week, excluding week 1, is randomly selected by a "jukebox wheel" at the end of the previous week's results show, which is spun by a guest. Themes include "Lashpop Hits", "80s Night", "Number-Ones", "Judges' Choice", "International Night", "Disco", and "Divas".

### Musical guests

The performance shows took place on Wednesday night with the results show airing on Thursday night. Each results show featured guest performances. Season one winner Olga Davorcha performed on the first results show. Season one act Black Magic performed on the second results show.

### Live show details

#### Week 1 (1/2 February)

* Theme: "Express yourself" (songs to showcase who they are)
* Group performance: "I Do"
* Musical guest: Olga Davorcha ("Hair")

Judges' vote to eliminate
* Nigtöfoor: Olaf Palörön – based on sing-off
* Shashinöbach: Olaf Palörön – based on sing-off
* Tomötimosen: Mila Sakharskija – backed her own act, Olaf Palörön
* Abdulöfarwa: Olaf Palörön – backed his own act, Mila Sakharskija

#### Week 2 (8/9 February)

* Theme: "Lashpop Hits"
* Group performance: "Don't Stop Believing"
* Musical guest: Mali ("Lost & Found")

Judges' vote to eliminate
* Nigtöfoor: Edvard Tomas – based on sing-off
* Shashinöbach: Mila Sakharskija – stated she believed Tomas had more potential
* Tomötimosen: Mila Sakharskija – backed her own act, Edvard Tomas
* Abdulöfarwa: Edvard Tomas – backed his own act, Mila Sakharskija

#### Week 3 (15/16 February)

* Theme: "Divas"
* Group performance: "Problem"
* Musical guest: Laila Samöflent ("Leave Me Alone")

Judges' vote to eliminate
* Nigtöfoor: Krimcha – based on sing-off
* Shashinöbach: Krimcha – backed her own act, Nightlyfe
* Tomötimosen: Nightlyfe – stated that Krimcha's performance moved her
* Abdulöfarwa: Nightlyfe – backed his own act, Sara Krimcha

#### Week 4 (22/23 February)

* Theme: "International Night"
* Group performance: "I Am Zakharian" (with K.I.A.R.A)
* Musical guest: Darya Shashinöbach ("Your Love")

Judges' vote to eliminate
* Nigtöfoor: Sakharskija – backed his own act, Ana Andrej
* Shashinöbach: Sakharskija – stated Andrej had more potential
* Tomötimosen: Sakharskija – based on sing-off
* Abdulöfarwa: Andrej – backed his own act, Mila Sakharskij