The X Factor is a New Zealand television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent. The first series premiered on TV3 on 21 April 2013 and ended on 22 July 2013. The show was open to singers aged 14 and over. The contestants were split into the show's four traditional categories: Boys, Girls, Over-25s and Groups.[1]
The winner was 22-year-old Greymouth singer Jackie Thomas, and her winner's single, "It's Worth It", was released the day of the final. [2][3] As the winner, Thomas received a Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand recording contract and a new car.[1]
The series was hosted by Dominic Bowden. Recording artists Daniel Bedingfield, Melanie Blatt, Ruby Frost and Stan Walker were the show's four judges. Auckland student Georgie Wright was selected from over 100 applicants to present the show's behind-the-scenes video blog Samsung Insider.[4]