On the judging panel with Ruby Frost, Stan Walker and Melanie Blatt
Daniel after his car accident in Whangarei in 2004
Cute, challenging and classless – that’s Daniel Bedingfield’s take on Kiwi women. The New Zealand-born star has come from England to be a judge on TV3’s The X Factor New Zealand. And although he thinks the dating game is challenging, he admits to the Weekly it won’t hold him back.
“You Kiwi girls are really tough!” he insists. “You need a high level of self-esteem to date a Kiwi woman. But that’s not a bad thing. You also know what you’re talking about.”
Focused Daniel has a specific idea where to meet the opposite sex. “I plan on snowboarding a lot while I’m here. I’ve got a couple of friends I’m going to teach, and it’s kind of hot teaching a girl to snowboard, to be honest,” he says. And there’s one in particular he’s keen to give lessons to.
“I know who I need to teach!” he says, chuckling.
Daniel’s brother Josh Bedingfield (left), sister Nikola Kolvet and Daniel at Natasha Bedingfield’s wedding in 2009 in Malibu. PhotoGetty images
Although he’s keeping a dignified silence on the object of his affections, Daniel (33) is happy to describe exactly what he looks for in a woman. “Curvy. Smart. Smarter than me. I like being challenged and also stimulated. I like to be wrong, and I like someone who can be more right than me and say they like things their way.”
The Gotta Get Thru This hit-maker, who was born in Auckland before moving to England aged three months, is thrilled with his new role.
“I live in Los Angeles now, which I love because it’s warm, but New Zealand is always going to be home,” he says. “My family is five generations of Kiwiness. It’s the right attitude here. Honest, loving, straight up, no class. Well, very little class. In both the good and the bad way!”
Sure to polarise opinion, the cheeky judge refuses to apologise for not sugar-coating his controversial views.
“I’m extremely harsh and exceptionally nasty but very excited,” he says. “From what I hear, there is plenty of talent in New Zealand. The problem is that I don’t think we have seen the best of it yet. I reckon they’re just holding back for our show.”
He joins fellow Kiwis Ruby Frost and Stan Walker on the panel of judges, and former All Saints singer Melanie Blatt.
And although he doesn’t have any children, Daniel, who nearly died in 2004 when his SUV flipped near Whangarei, feels paternal towards many of the contestants.“You know, I’m not taking the show that seriously,” he says. “But I’m taking these kids seriously. These are talented people that I’m crazy about. I have a huge amount of respect for them.”
Daniel is planning trips back to LA during his tenure on The X Factor and is gearing up to release two EPs during the show’s run.
“I’m always travelling. I just love the people, connecting with them and learning new ways of being. The girls are pretty cute too!” Now that he’s back home, Daniel’s next
challenge is to reunite the Bedingfield clan – including his pop-star sister.
“Natasha and my other sister Nikola live in LA now,” he says. “But if X Factor goes well, then hopefully I’ll be in New Zealand more often!”
The X Factor NZ begins April 21 and screens Sundays 7pm and Mondays 7.30pm on TV3.
