X Factor is a Danish television music competition to find new singing talent. The eighth season premiered on 2 January 2015 and ended on 27 March on DR1. Eva Harlou returned as host for her second season. Thomas Blachman, Remee and Lina Rafn returned as judges for their respective seventh, fifth and fourth seasons.
On 29 March 2014 Remee announced that he would not be returning as a judge for season 8.[1] On 11 August it was announced that Eva Harlou would be returning as host.[2] On 18 August it was announced that Thomas Blachman, Lina Rafn and Remee would all be returning as judges for season 8.[3]
For the eighth season, superbootcamp was replaced by 5 Chair Challenge.[4][5] 5 Chair Challenge was filmed from 28 to 29 October 2014.[6] The 14-22s category was changed to the 15-22s. Remee received the 15-22s category, Rafn received the Over 23s and Blachman received the Groups. Before the Groups were due to perform, Blachman removed two of the chairs.
The 15 successful acts were:
15-22s: Baraa, Daniel, Emilie, Johannes, Tannaz
Over 23s: Jògvan, Nanni, Peter, Rene, Sophia
Groups: The CCS, Citybois, Finn & Rie, Ivarsson, Bang & Neumann, Second Venue
Bootcamp
Remee took the 15-22s to a military base; Rafn took the Over 23s to Horsens Statsfængsel; and Blachman took the Groups to a school. For the first time since the show's inception in 2008, the judges had no assistants.
Blachman: Baraa Qadoura – backed his own act, Ivarsson, Bang & Neumann, and also said to Baraa Qadoura that he never thought a contestant had been sent through after three times in the bottom two
Remee: Ivarsson, Bang & Neumann – backed his own act, Baraa Qadoura
Rafn: Baraa Qadoura – because it was Qadoura's third time in the bottom two
On 25 March, two days before the final, Bente Boserup, leader of BørneTelefonen, criticized the Danish X Factor for exposing children under 18 to high pressure and stress, after contestants Baraa Qadoura and Tannaz Hakami broke down in tears during the fourth live show. This was supported by psychologist John Halse, as well as contestant Finn Irs, who protested by not showing up to the all-stars song during the final live show. Irs stated that the producers were more interested in their contestants showing their emotions, rather than making a musical show. Jan Lagermand Lundme, the contributing editor on DR1, stated that all contestants were checked by a psychologist to see if they were fit to handle the pressure.[7]
