'The X Factor' New Zealand: Who Are Shelton Woolright and Natalie Bassingthwaighte?

"The X Factor" Australia judge Natalie Bassingthwaighte and "I Am Giant" drummer Shelton Woolright will join the judging panel of "The X Factor" New Zealand. They will replace former  judges Natalia Kills and Willy Moon, who were fired by Mediaworks for their harsh judgements.

Both the judges of TV3's reality music competition shared the news on Twitter. While Bassingthwaighte wrote, "So this just happened... New Judge on X Factor New Zealand is........, ME!!!", Woolright tweeted, "Stoked just joined the @xfactornz family can't wait to meet @1stanwalker @melblatt @nataliebassing."

Bassingthwaighte is an Australian recording artist, television personality and actress. She has worked with several leading record labels across the globe and has multi-platinum selling records. The 39-year-old  began her journey through the world of music at a very young age, and her musical career kicked-off after joining an Australian electro-pop band called "Rogue Traders".

Bassingthwaighte's "Don't Give Up" was nominated for the Highest Selling Single at ARIA Music Awards 2007 and her album "1000 Stars" won Number One Album at ARIA No. 1 Chart Awards 2008. 

Before joining the judging panel of "The X Factor" Australia in 2011, she was part of numerous television projects, including "So You Think You Can Dance Australia", "Neighbours", "All Saints" and  "The Lost World".

Woolright is part of a New  Zealand rock band called "I Am Giant" since 2008 and was the former member of metal band "Blindspott". 

"I'm especially looking forward to working with the Groups. I've been working with labels, filmmakers and publishers as well as producing I Am Giant and other bands for years and I can't wait to share my expertise with fresh eager minds," he told 3 News.

TV3 will air  "The X Factor" New Zealand on Sunday, 22 March, at 7pm.