TV3 Signs Willy Moon and Natalia Kills to X Factor NZ

October 31, 2014

TV3 Signs Willy Moon and Natalia Kills to Complete the X Factor NZ Judging Line-up

TV3 has added more international star-power to The X Factor NZ judging line-up with the signing of Willy Moon, the Kiwi born, New York-based recording artist, who took the world by storm when Apple took his track Yeah Yeah for their iPod campaign and made him a household name. In a first for The X Factor format, Moon will be joined by his wife, internationally successful singer songwriter Natalia Kills, who is famed for her gritty, autobiographical lyrics, to complete the judging line-up. The announcement was made at MediaWorks TV’s star-studded new season launch event, held last night in Auckland.

Moon, who originally hails from Wellington, is a writer, musician and producer who shot to prominence in 2011 with the release of his stunningly original homemade song I Wanna Be Your Man. Subsequently, his track Yeah Yeah, was picked up by Apple for their international iPod campaign and in the process made the talented Moon a worldwide star.

In 2013 he released his debut album Here’s Willy Moon to critical acclaim and set about touring the world. His music caught the attention of American musician and producer Jack White (White Stripes, The Dead Weather) who released Moon’s Railroad Track on his record label and then invited the Kiwi artist to support him on his UK tour in the same year.

Since 2014, Moon has been resident in New York City where he’s been working on his next album.

"After my guest performance on The X Factor NZ last year I understand the thrill and the pressure that the contestants experience up on stage,” he says.

“I’m looking forward to being a judge and I'm excited to discover the true talent that New Zealand has to offer. We’ve always punched above our weight creatively in many fields and have shown especially in recent years a capacity for producing world-beating music and film. It's a real thrill to finally return to my home country after spending so much time away and to get the chance to find and develop a genuine home-grown star. Can't wait to see you all soon! "

Natalia Kills (real name Natalia Cappuccini) was born in Bradford in the UK. By the age of 18, she’d moved to Hollywood to start a music career and it was there she chanced to meet the internationally-renowned performer and producer will.i.am who instantly recognized Kills’ talent, and signed her to his imprint at Interscope Records.
She released her debut album, Perfectionist, and subsequently toured the world with Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and B.E.P. eventually headlining on her own in Europe.

Her album Trouble, written and recorded in collaboration with renowned producers Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Jay Z) and Emilie Haynie (Lana Del Rey, Kid Cudie, Eminem) followed in 2013.
Kills’ music has spawned several top 10 hits in Europe and well over 750,000 singles sales. She currently lives in New York and is working on her third record.

"The new season of The X Factor NZ is going to be wild!” she says. “I’m delighted to be a judge and mentor to other aspiring new artists. New Zealand is full of undiscovered talent, and I'm excited to find a diamond in the rough. Last year when I released my album Trouble I had the time of my life in Auckland. I never knew there was such a dynamic creative scene there. Besides, ever since I married Willy Moon I've had a burning curiosity to find out more about where he's from and what makes Kiwis so irresistible!"

Andrew Szusterman, MediaWorks Group Entertainment Content Director says signing the husband and wife team is a huge win for The X Factor NZ, completing the all-star judging line-up and adding a new level of intensity to the series.

“Willy and Natalia are the first husband wife mentoring combo that we’re aware of globally, which adds a whole new dynamic to the panel this season,” he says.

“Arguing about who turns off the heater in the apartment is going to be the least of their worries.”

Willy Moon and Natalia Kills will join fellow judges Melanie Blatt, Stan Walker and host Dominic Bowden on the 2015 series

Pre-auditions for the series wrap up on November 2nd in Auckland at Alfriston College, Manurewa from 10am - 5pm.

The X Factor NZ is a SYCO owned format and will be co-produced by MediaWorks and FremantleMedia Australia.

McDonald’s is the Broadcast Sponsor, with Fruttare, 2degrees and VO5 as programme partners. MediaWorks is also proud to have funding support from NZ on Air for the series.

HOW TO ENTER
• If you are a singer, group or band aged 14 or older as of 11 October 2014, find the audition location nearest to you.
• Visit the www.tv3.co.nz/TheXFactorNZ to download and print The X Factor NZ application form.
• Fill out the form ready to bring it to your local audition. Make sure you read the full terms and conditions on the website before you enter the auditions.

For more information visit TV3.co.nz/thexfactornz or join the conversation at facebook.com/xfactornz

About The X Factor NZ
The X Factor NZ is the second local version of the global television phenomenon format put on the map by music mogul Simon Cowell.

The world’s leading singing talent search, The X Factor has launched numerous internationally successful music careers, including Leona Lewis, Reece Mastin and One Direction. The X Factor artists have globally sold over 160 million records, achieving 250 No.1’s, 270 Top 10, and 501 Top 50 hit records.

Locally, the first season of The X Factor NZ launched the music careers of finalists Jackie Thomas, Whenua Patuwai and Benny Tipene who between them have achieved a No.1 gold record, two Top 5 albums, two platinum singles and one gold single.

In 2014, New Zealanders will have the chance to put their singing talent to the test, as The X Factor NZ travels the length and breadth of the country, to discover the next great New Zealand recording artist. The X Factor NZ is open to singers aged 14 and up, solo performers, groups and bands. Contestants who make it through the audition process are split into categories – Boys under 25, Girls under 25, over 25s and the Groups. Bands will audition under the Groups category and must be five members or less with a minimum of two singers. Each category is mentored by one of judges, who will work alongside the contestants as they compete for a prize that includes a recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand.

About Willy Moon
Willy Moon shot to prominence in 2011 with the release of a stunningly original homemade track called I Wanna Be Your Man. Apple picked up his Wu-Tang-sampling barnburner Yeah Yeah for their last iPod ad, while French director Alex Courtes (White Stripes, U2, Justice) directed the song’s stylish video. It went on to become an international hit. Willy subsequently released his debut album Here’s Willy Moon in 2013 to critical acclaim and toured the world. It was the kind of truly great debut single that made the listener ask: Who is this person? And where did they come from? It was quite an introduction and it made him some discerning fans.

Moon was born in Wellington. He left school when he was 16 and left New Zealand when he was 18. He spent time in Berlin before moving to London. Since 2014, he has been resident in New York City where he’s been working on the follow-up to Here’s Willy Moon.

About Natalia Kills
Natalia Kills (real name Natalia Cappuccini) was born in Bradford in the UK. Raised by a Jamaican father and Uruguayan mother, her unconventional childhood was spent moving between England, Jamaica and Spain.

By the age of 18, she’d moved to Hollywood to start a music career and it was there she chanced to meet the internationally-renowned performer and producer will.i.am who instantly recognized Kills’ talent, and signed her to his imprint at Interscope Records.

After partnering with Cherrytree Records (Ellie Goulding, La Roux, Robyn, Far East Movement) in 2011 – Natalia released her debut album, Perfectionist, jointly on Cherrytree and will.i.am records. Kills then toured the world with Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and B.E.P. eventually headlining her own jaunt in Europe. Trouble, written and recorded in collaboration with renowned producers Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Jay Z) and Emilie Haynie (Lana Del Rey, Kid Cudie, Eminem) followed in 2013.
Over the course of two albums her acclaimed music has spawned several top 10 hits in Europe and well over 750,000 singles sales. She currently lives in New York and is working on her third record.

MediaWorks is New Zealand’s largest independent broadcaster, reaching 3.8 million Kiwis through its TV, Radio and Digital platforms. The company owns and operates television channels TV3, FOUR and The Edge TV; radio brands The Edge, The Rock, More FM, The Breeze, The Sound, Mai FM, George FM, Kiwi FM, LiveSPORT and RadioLIVE; a network of websites including 3news.co.nz and 3NOW, and a family of mobile and tablet apps. MediaWorks’ entertainment and news brands and people are household names, with loyal, highly engaged audiences. www.mediaworks.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media