X Factor comes to Rotorua: Tips to make impression

SUCCESS STORY: Maaka Fiso has had a successful run as a musician since he was a contestant on X Factor last year. PHOTO/SUPPLIED MAAKAFISO2014

Hundreds of locals who believe they have the X Factor are expected to turn out to audition for the hit-show on Monday.

Pre-auditions for TV3 show X Factor 2015 will be held at Rotorua's Arts Village, with hundreds expected to show off their talents in a bid to make it to the televised competition where they will perform in front of four well-known judges.

Rotorua is one of 13 locations where pre-auditions, the first stage of the X Factor process, are being held.

X Factor soared to success after it premiered last April. The grand final was watched by an audience of 1.3 million, with more than 500,000 votes cast to decide the winner, Greymouth singer Jackie Thomas.

The competition is open to those aged 14 and over and contestants are split into the show's four categories, boys, girls, over 25s and groups, with bands also able to enter in the group category this time around.

The winner will be signed to Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand.

Executive producer John McDonald, who grew up in Rotorua, said the pre-auditions had been going well since they started in Auckland two weeks ago.

Pre-auditions have been held around the South Island and Wellington and were now moving north. While the numbers of auditioners was slightly down on last series' 7000, Mr McDonald said the quality of the performances was much higher.

"The turnout's been great, even though the numbers are down a bit on last year, the talent we've seen is amazing," he said.

Mr McDonald said songs by Ed Sheeran and Adele had proved popular this year.

For those auditioning, he said it was important to remember that the show wasn't just about having a good voice.

"This is X Factor, not The Voice. It doesn't just matter how good your voice is, it's also about how you perform, your energy and how you interact when you audition, it's about having that X factor."

Rotorua pre-auditions will be held from 10am to 5pm. You can download an application form from www.tv3.co.nz/thexfactornz.

Former X-Factor contestant Maaka Fiso's pre-audition tips
-Make sure you eat something, but not to the point where you are full.
-I always find praying, or grounding yourself in some way is helpful for nerves and can be calming.
-Confidence is key. If you don't believe that you have what it takes, neither will the judges.
-You will meet heaps of new people at the pre-auditions. Make friends, not enemies.
-Have fun. Enjoy yourself. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most.
-Always have your wits about you.
-Wear something you feel comfortable in, unless it's a potato sack. Should your audition be televised, you don't want to look back in 10 years time or end up on a fashion don't's list.