X Factor (Kazakhstani TV series) series 1

X Factor is a Kazakh music talent show for aspiring pop stars across the nation and is based on the international franchise. The first season in Kazakhstan started in January 2011. Auditions were held in 12 Kazakh cities and started on 2 October 2010.

The Judges were the three music producers Nagima Eskalieva, who was the already the chairwoman of the panel of SuperStar KZ, Sultana Karazhigitova and Alexander Shevchenko.

On 22 May 2011, the back then-22-year-old Daria Gabdull (Дария Габдулл), labeled by the judges as the "Kazakh Beyoncé", won the show ahead of the trio Spasibo. Gabdull won a two-years-contract with Sony Music.

Judges' houses and wildcards
After the auditions, twenty-four candidates were chosen, eight in each of three categories. They were:
 * 16-24s: Daria Akparova, Ruslan Berdimatov, Eliza Dzhakereeva, Alexander Filatov, Daria Gabdull, Louise Karimbaeva, Abdulkarim Karimov, Ruslan Krivenkov
 * 25 and over: Maral Dzhusupova, Asel Karsybaeva, Eldar Myrzakhanov, Yuri Mukhortov, Gulzhiyan Ospanova, Julia Pereima, Dmitry Tsoi, Margarita Tumanyan
 * Vocal groups: Musaev sisters, Vladimir Kim & Marina Beysehanova, Ansari, Dee Kree, Spasibo, Sweet, National, Faith Kahn & Serik Salmakeev

The twelve eliminated acts were:
 * 16-24s: Eliza Dzhakereeva, Alexander Filatov, Louise Karimbaeva, Ruslan Krivenkov
 * 25 and over: Maral Dzhusupova, Eldar Myrzakhanov, Julia Pereima, Dmitry Tsoi
 * Vocal groups: Musaev sisters, Vladimir Kim & Marina Beysehanova, Ansari, Sweet

Although they were eliminated in the judges' house stage, Musaev Sisters, Eldar Myrzahanov and Ruslan Krivenkov were brought back as wildcards.

Contestants
After the wildcards were revealed in the first live show, the final fifteen acts were confirmed as follows:

Key:
 * – Winner
 * – Runner-up
 * – Third Place

Results summary

 * Colour key

Week 1 (12/13 March)

 * Theme: American Songs
 * Judges' votes to eliminate:
 * Nagima Eskalieva: Ruslan Berdimatov, backed her own act
 * Sultana Karazhigitova: Ruslan Berdimatov
 * Alexander Shevchenko: Yuri Mukhortov, backed his own act

Week 2 (19/20 March)

 * Theme: TBA
 * Judges' votes to eliminate:
 * Nagima Eskalieva: National, backed her own act
 * Sultana Karazhigitova: Gulzhiyan Ospanova, backed her own act
 * Alexander Shevchenko: Gulzhiyan Ospanova

Week 3 (26/27 March)

 * Theme: Kazakh Songs
 * Judges' votes to eliminate:
 * Nagima Eskalieva: refused to vote
 * Sultana Karazhigitova: Margarita Tumanyan
 * Alexander Shevchenko: Margarita Tumanyan

Week 4 (4/5 April)

 * Theme: Movie Songs
 * Judges' votes to eliminate:
 * Nagima Eskalieva: Eldar Myrzahanov
 * Sultana Karazhigitova: Eldar Myrzahanov
 * Alexander Shevchenko: refused to vote