We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for The X Factor (NZ) - Benny Tipene Audition

The X Factor (NZ) - Benny Tipene Audition

Television (Excerpts) – 2013

Before he became a chart-topping singer, Benny Tipene was a hopeful entrant on the first New Zealand series of global talent show The X Factor. For his audition in front of the panel of judges — including singers Stan Walker, Ruby Frost and Daniel Bedingfield — Tipene works his understated, folky magic on Outkast's 2003 party hit, 'Hey Ya'. It more than does the trick. Tipene would eventually come third; but he impressed enough to get signed by Sony Music and released a platinum selling solo album in 2013. 

I think we may have found our first international artist. You just bring something so ... you, and awesome and cool. You're lucky you're skinny because if I wore that, man ... I would look like a cow.
– Judge Stan Walker likes the way Benny sings and wears tight pants

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Dominic Bowden

Dominic Bowden

Presenter

Generic Profile image for Ruby Frost

Ruby Frost

Judge

Generic Profile image for Benny Tipene

Benny Tipene

Subject

Generic Profile image for Stan Walker

Stan Walker

Judge

Generic Profile image for Daniel Bedingfield

Daniel Bedingfield

Judge

Generic Profile image for Melanie Blatt

Melanie Blatt

Judge

Produced by

Logo for MediaWorks NZ

MediaWorks NZ

Source

Logo for MediaWorks NZ

MediaWorks NZ