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X Factor Arabia is back

Auditions for the show will be held next month across the Middle East

By David Tusing, Deputy tabloid! Editor
Published: 07:54 October 18, 2012

Image Credit: AP
This June 2012 photo released by FOX shows judges, from left, L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell on the set of "The X Factor." The contest between "The Voice" and "The X Factor" is escalating after NBC scheduled its "Voice" against Wednesday's second-season debut of Fox's "X Factor." (AP Photo/FOX, Ray Mickshaw)

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Another singing reality show is coming to Arabia. Close on the heels of the premiere of the Middle East’s very own The Voice, the X Factor is on its way here again – and producers are all set to cast hopefuls starting next month.

The X Factor Arabic, which premiered on Rotana and LBC in 2006, was taken off air after the second season. The comeback show will now air on pan-Arab channel CBC.

Auditions, to be held in the UAE, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon and Kuwait, will kick off in November, tabloid! has learnt. Although the names of the celebrity judges and how many there will be have not been revealed, the show has been scheduled to air from early next year.

The UAE leg of auditions will be held at Dubai Community Theatre and Art Centre, Mall of the Emirates on November 6. The show is open to any one above the age of 16 singing solo or as a choir or group.

The Arab version of X Factor will compete directly with MBC’s The Voice Middle East featuring Arab singing stars Sherine, Assi Al Helani, Saber Rebaï and Kadim Al Sahir as coaches. Auditions for Season 2 of Arab Idol, another competition, are also set to begin soon. The show recently announced Lebanese songstress Nancy Ajram as a fourth judge, to join returnees Ragheb Alama, Ahlam and Hassan Al Shafie.

Created by music magnate Simon Cowell, the X Factor has been adapted for a number of international versions, while the Idol series has spawned 42 spin-offs. The Voice, a fairly new entrant, made most famous by its American version, has also been licensed to many territories.

To find out how you can audition for X Factor Arabia in the UAE, go to ductac.org