The X Factor NK (season 7)

The seventh season of The X Factor NK will begin airing on AAN on January 17, 2017. Media personality Miles Stevenson will host the season, replacing Harrison Benn who hosted seasons 3 through 6. Pliza Grand is the only judge from the sixth season to return, with Johnston Lavoy, Antoinette James and Chris Brown replacing Brandi Dixon (seasons 1-6), Brian Graef (seasons 2-6) and Ryan Tedder (seasons 5 and 6).

Judges and host

Brian Graef and Ryan Tedder announced on June 23, 2016 that they would be departing the series for season 7. Brandi Dixon confirmed that she too was "taking a break" from the show to focus on her career on June 29, although she was in negotiations to return for season 8. In early July it was revealed that Pliza Grand would return for her second season on the show and that she would be joined by new judges Johnston Lavoy and Chris Brown. Record producer Antoinette James was announced as the fourth judge on July 11.

Prior to the finale of season 6, presenter Harrison Benn said publicly that the season would be his last on the show. It was widely reported that rapper Lady Nambi was being tapped to replace Benn but these negotiations apparently eventually fell through. On July 8, 2016 TV presenter and media personality Miles Stevenson signed on as the new host for the series.

Selection process

Auditions

Bootcamp

Bootcamp took place from September 9-11, 2016. Contestants were asked to form groups of three or four and asked to perform a song as a group from a provided list. Following the performance the judges either eliminated contestants immediately or put them forward for consideration for further participation in the competition. After all the performances the judges deliberated to decide the acts who would be promoted to the six chair challenge. The judges found out which categories they would be mentoring: Grand was given the boys, James was given the girls, Lavoy was given the over 25s and Brown was given the groups.

Six chair challenge

The six chair challenge was held from September 13-15 with all judges selecting their six acts to carry through to the Judges' Houses round.

Judges' Houses

The Judges' Houses round was filmed in mid to late November 2016. Each judge carries the contestants in their category to a location and was assisted by a guest judge to assist in the selection of the final three from each category. Grand was assisted by Brandi Dixon in Portia, Vegas, Neo Kingston. Lavoy was assisted by Adam Cross in Julie Island, Neo Montego. James was assisted by Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Brenda Nicole in Hamilton, Whales, Aceradion. Brown was assisted by Justin Bieber in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Finalists

Key:

     – Winner

     – Runner-up

     – Third place

Live shows

Results summary

Colour key

Live show details

Week 1 (February 21/22)

Theme: Express yourself (songs to showcase who they are)
Group performance: "We're Here"
Musical guest: Nathan Dylan ("Don't Hate On Me")

Week 2 (February 28/March 1)

Theme: Movie Night
Group performance: "Showtime Disco"
Musical guest: Ed Sheeran ("Castle on the Hill")

Week 3 (March 7/8)

Theme: 2010s Number Ones
Group performance: "Battle of One"
Musical guest: Diamond Miranda ("Holes for Souls")

Week 4 (March 14/15)

Theme: Big band
Group performance: "We Are the Champions"
Musical guest: Bruno Mars ("That's What I Like")

Reception

Ratings