Saara Aalto chosen to be a judge on X Factor Finland
UK X Factor finalist Saara Aalto has been chosen to judge the talent competition in Finland.
The singer was a fan favourite to win last year’s series when she reached the final.
Despite not winning, Aalto has moved on with her career and will now be a judge on Finland’s version of the show.
The upcoming series will be the first of its kind in the country.
Speaking about her new role, the singer said that she never expected to be a judge herself.
“When I auditioned the X Factor UK last May I never thought I’d end up being a judge on the X Factor only a year later!
She added that she hopes her own experience of competing in the show will allow her to help future contestants.
“X Factor Finland will be a great journey with my amazing fellow judges!
“I know what it takes to go through a competition like this, so I’m gonna give my all to the contestants and share them my experience! Show me your X Factor.”
Aalto believes that Finland wanted her for the role after they were inspired by watching her compete on the UK show.
“Finland watched my journey on the X Factor UK because we didn’t have it in our country.
“They loved it. So it’s been quite natural for them to ask me to be a judge. I feel I have a lot to bring to it,” she said.
Aalto recently renewed her engagement to her partner Meri Sopanen after Finland legalised same-sex weddings.
The two planned to tie the knot next year, but their busy schedules have left them little time to organise anything.
Aalto said: “We don’t have time to plan it! I did see some photos online yesterday and sent them [to Meri] but that’s sort of it.”
However, Aalto has plenty of ideas about what she wants.
“When I was younger I imagined I’d wear a huge princess dress.
“But then I grew up, got older. I want it to be elegant and simple, not some crazy outfit,” she said.
