Iggy Azalea to join The X Factor Australia’s judging panel

Arguably our most successful international music export in decades, the 26-year-old has signed on to replace Dannii Minogue as a judge on The X Factor Australia.

Speaking after coming off stage f-rom performing for Good Morning America in New York yesterday, the Fancy and Black Widow singer said she was initially not sure whether or not to commit to the reality singing show.

“I really didn’t picture myself being a judge on any kind of television show but I think that actually this could be a good fit for me so I said yes,” she said.

“Initially I didn’t know but then I thought it would be good to come back to Australia and have an opportunity to spend some time there and obviously to see my family, who live in Sydney. So I think it will be a good situation for multiple reasons. I’m really excited and I don’t really know what to expect.”

It’s a huge year for Azalea, who is due to d-rop her much anticipated second album — Digital Distortion — over the coming months.

Seven is yet to announce a broadcast date for the eighth season of The X Factor, although it is expected to air after the Olympics.

It’s also yet to announce who else will be on the judging panel that last year featured Guy Sebastian, Chris Isaak, James Blunt and Minogue.

The reality show is responsible for launching the careers of some of the country’s top artists, among them Dami I'm who recently placed second at Eurovision, as well as Samantha Jade, Cyrus Villanueva and Jess and Matt.

“I really want to be able to pick unique people and hopefully have them connect with everybody watching,” Azalea, who has seen bits of previous seasons, said.

Azalea grew up in Mullumbimby on the NSW North Coast before moving to the US as a teenager and making her mark there when Fancy soared to the top of the Billboard C-hart.

The multiple Grammy Award nominee has only been home to Australia a couple of times since she moved to America and is looking forward to spending more time here again.

“It will definitely be the longest I’ve been to Australia in probably 10 years,” she said. “It has been a long time.”

Of Azalea, Seven director of production Brad Lyons said: “Nobody knows what it takes to break through in today's industry better than her. With such international success at only 26, our contestants have the chance to be mentored by the best in the business.”