Iggy Azalea joins X Factor Australia

US based NSW-born rapper Iggy Azalea is joining the judging panel of The X Factor Australia for the 2016 season, Seven Network announced. She tweeted she’ll be here in late June to start filming the audition episodes.

Azalea replaces Dannii Minogue who wants to concentrate on her music career.

The network’s Director of Production, Brad Lyons, said, “The X Factor is bringing Iggy home to Australia. Nobody knows what it takes to break through in today’s industry better than her. With such international success at only 26, our contestants have the chance to be mentored by the best in the business.”

Azalea is one of the most successful Australian acts of the past decade in the United States. She shot to fame in 2014 with Fancy (featuring Charli XCX) reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for seven weeks. She became the fourth rapper to reach #1.

During its reign at #1, she also hit the #2 position as a feature on Ariana Grande’s single Problem. As a result, she joined The Beatles as the only acts to rank at numbers one and two simultaneously with their first two Hot 100 entries.

She went on to achieve three Top 10 singles in the US. While the US hip hop fraternity is divided on her street cred, Azalea went on to collaborate with Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Hudson. 

She says of The X Factor gig, “I understand what it’s like to have giant dreams and intend to help other young Australians achieve theirs by sharing my knowledge and developing their talent in collaboration with The X Factor.”

Last Friday, Azalea performed Team, Black Widow and Fancy for breakfast TV Good Morning America’s Summer Concert series in New York’s Central Park. Backed by her dance squad and DJ and surrounded by broken television sets, she donned a black netted top, a black bra and black lace-up boots with very short shorts. Afterwards, having changed into a casual bomber jacket and blue jean leggings, she was waved a purple bra above her head to photographers and fans as she stepped into her limo.

Her next album Digital Distortion, although set for a June release, still has no definite issue date. She said of its sound, “It’s still super energetic and fun. But it’s a bit more aggressive and a little bit darker and a little more grown up, like me.”

Seven is yet to announce the rest of 2016’s judging panel.

Past judges have included Ronan Keating, Mark Holden, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Kate Ceberano, Natalie Imbruglia, Kyle Sandiland and Redfoo. Last year’s panel included Guy Sebastian, James Blunt and Chris Isaak.

1.204 million people tuning in to watch Cyrus Villanueva crowned the 2015 winner. It was well down from the 2013 finale when 2.35 million witnessed Dami Im’s win.