The X Factor: Season 4
The X Factor is an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a Sony Music Australia recording contract and a new car. The fourth series premiered on the Seven Network on 20 August 2012 and ended on 20 November 2012. The winner was Samantha Jade and her winner's single "What You've Done to Me" was released after the final.
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The X Factor Season 3.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
The X Factor is an Australian television reality music competition, based on the original UK series, to find new singing talent; the winner of which receives a Sony Music Australia recording contract and a new car. The fourth series premiered on the Seven Network on 20 August 2012 and ended on 20 November 2012. The winner was Samantha Jade and her winner's single "What You've Done to Me" was released after the final. Jade was mentored throughout by Guy Sebastian, who won as mentor for the second year in a row. The main live shows was presented by Luke Jacobz, while series three finalist Johnny Ruffo presented the digital live streaming show The X Stream. Sebastian, Ronan Keating, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Melanie Brown returned as judges.
The competition was split into several stages: auditions, super bootcamp, home visits and live shows. Auditions in front of the show's producers took place throughout February and March 2012. The successful auditionees chosen by the producers were then invited back to the last set of auditions that took place in front of the judges and a live studio audience in May 2012. After the auditions was super bootcamp, where all four judges worked together and collectively chose 24 acts, including six from each of the four categories: Under 25 Boys, Under 25 Girls, Over 25s and Groups. Following super bootcamp was the home visits stage, where each of the judges reduced their six acts to three, with help from guest mentors Alicia Keys, Kesha, One Direction and Usher. The live shows began on 17 September 2012.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
Bootcamp 2
Sep 4, 2012 · 90 min
Auditions are over and now it's time for Boot Camp, and this year, it's Super Boot Camp. Judges Ronan Keating, Mel B, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Guy and Guy Sebastian will contin
Bootcamp 3
Sep 5, 2012 · 90 min
It's the last day of Super Boot Camp and it's time for judges Ronan Keating, Mel B, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Guy Sebastian to narrow it down to a Top 24. Which contestants will