X Factor Malta

Last updated
X Factor Malta
Genre Reality competition
Created by Simon Cowell
Directed byJoe Azzopardi
Mark Vassallo
Presented byGianni Zammit (4–)
Ben Camille (1–3)
JudgesHoward Keith Debono
Ira Losco
Gianluca Bezzina (4–)
Amber Bondin (4–)
Ray Mercieca (1–2)
Alexandra Alden (1–2)
Ivan Grech (3)
Philippa Naudi (3)
Country of origin Malta
Original languagesEnglish
Maltese
No. of seasons4
Production
Executive producersAnton Attard
Mark Grech
ProducersAnnaliz Azzopardi
Gary Bugeja
Noel Zarb
EditorsSpace Studios
Joe Azzopardi
Gary Bugeja
Andy Barbara
Original release
Network TVM
ReleaseOctober 7, 2018 (2018-10-07) 
present
Related

X Factor Malta is the Maltese version of the British television music competition The X Factor , created by Simon Cowell. [1] The first season premiered on 7 October 2018 and has since been broadcast on Television Malta. The show was used to determine the artist that would represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019 and 2020. [2] In July 2020, it was announced that the show would be replaced by Malta's Got Talent, [3] but after a one-year hiatus, a third season began in October 2021. [4] Season four started on 8 October 2023.

Contents

Season summary

To date, four seasons have been broadcast, as summarised below.

  Contestant in "Ray Mercieca"
  Contestant in "Alexandra Alden"
  Contestant in "Howard Keith Debono"
  Contestant in "Ira Losco"
  Contestant in "Ivan Grech"
  Contestant in "Philippa Naudi"
  Contestant in "Gianluca Bezzina"
  Contestant in "Amber Bondin"

SeasonStartFinishWinnerRunner-upThird placeFourth placeWinning mentorMain hostMain judges
17 October 201826 January 2019 Michela Pace Owen LeuellenNicole FrendoPetra ZammitHoward Keith DebonoBen CamilleHoward Keith Debono
Ira Losco
Alexandra Alden
Ray Mercieca
26 October 20198 February 2020 Destiny Chukunyere Justine ShorfidF.A.I.T.HKyle Cutajar Ira Losco
33 October 202112 February 2022Ryan HiliDrakardLisa GauciCheryl BalzanHoward Keith DebonoHoward Keith Debono
Ira Losco
Ivan Grech
Philippa Naudi
48 October 202311 February 2024Richard AquilinaLapes u NadineShanice MicallefAmelia KalabicHoward Keith DebonoGianni ZammitHoward Keith Debono
Ira Losco
Gianluca Bezzina
Amber Bondin

Judges' categories and their contestants

In each season, each judge is allocated a category to mentor and chooses three acts to progress to the live finals. This table shows, for each series, which category each judge was allocated and which acts he or she put through to the live finals.

Key:

  – Winning judge/category. Winners are in bold, eliminated contestants in small font.
SeasonHoward Keith DebonoIra LoscoAlexandra AldenRay Mercieca
1Girls
Michela Pace
Nicole Frendo
Kelsey Bellante
Boys
Owen Leuellen
Luke Chappell
Norbert Bondin
Groups
4th Line
Xtreme
Kayati
Overs
Petra Zammit
Ben Purplle
Franklin Calleja
2Groups
F.A.I.T.H
Bloodline
Yazmin & James
Girls
Destiny Chukunyere
Justine Shorfid
Jasmine Abela
Overs
Celine Agius
Paul Anthony
Ed Abdilla
Boys
Kyle Cutajar
Karl Schembri
Dav. Jr
SeasonHoward Keith DebonoIra LoscoPhilippa NaudiIvan Grech
3Boys
Ryan Hili
Aidan Drakard
Kevin Paul
Overs
Cheryl Balzan
Audrienne Fenech
Jimmy Tyrrell
Groups
Ceci & Kriss
Soul Tide

Beyond
Girls
Lisa Gauci
Timea Farr
Shauna Vassallo
SeasonHoward Keith DebonoIra LoscoAmber BondinGianluca Bezzina
4Overs
Richard Aquilina
Rose Marielle Mamaclay
Sean Kamati
Groups
Lapes & Nadine
XO
Kelsie & Martina
Boys
Isaac Tom
Kodin Camilleri
Mattia Adduocchio
Girls
Shanice Micallef
Amelia Kalabic
Kristy Spiteri

Presenter and judges

On 2 July 2018, it was announced that Ben Camille was selected to host the show. [5]

The full judges' panel was revealed on 31 July 2018, and was composed of music producer Howard Keith Debono, The Rifffs' frontman Ray Mercieca, Maltese singer and songwriter Alexandra Alden, and singer/star Ira Losco. Confirmed X factor judge lovinmalta.com Retrieved 9 October 2019

Season 1

Pre-auditions

The first appeal for applicants was made on 26 June 2018, with the launch of the online submission form. Auditioning artists were also able to send a video audition via the WhatsApp messaging platform. [6] In addition, a number of pop-up booths were set up around Malta in early July to encourage people to enter. [7]

Producers auditions were held from 13 to 15 July at Fort St Elmo. There the show's producers assessed the auditioning acts and determined who would progress to the judges auditions. [8]

Judges' auditions

The auditionees chosen by the producers were invited back to the last set of auditions that took place in front of the judges. These auditions were filmed at Fort St Angelo from 1 to 8 August and broadcast from 7 October, as well as short daily extra auditions on the X Factor Malta YouTube channel and on the Facebook page of Vodafone Malta.

The 120 successful contestants then progressed to the bootcamp round.

Bootcamp

The bootcamp round was filmed at the Hilton Malta Conference Centre from 9 to 12 September and broadcast on 11 and 18 November. [9]

Contestants were given three performance challenges. On the first day, the 120 contestants were split into the four category groups - Boys, Girls, Overs and Groups. Acts in each category were given one song to sing a cappella: "A Million Reasons" (Girls), "See You Again" (Boys), "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me" (Overs) "My Girl" (Groups). After the performances, the judges sent home 30 acts.

For the second challenge, the remaining acts each selected a song from the Wall of Songs, which they had to perform with three others who had selected the same song. Contestants were either put through to the next stage, or went to the Waiting Room, where they later had the possibility of being called on to be part of a newly formed group.

In the final challenge, the remaining acts - including newly formed groups - performed a song of their own choice. The jury then selected 12 participants from each category to go through to the Six Chair Challenge.

Six Chair Challenge

The Six Chair Challenge was filmed at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Attard on 11 and 12 October 2018. [10]

The 24 successful acts were:

Judges' Houses

The Judges' Houses episodes were broadcast on 23 and 30 December 2018.

Summary of Judges' Houses
JudgeCategoryAssistantContestants eliminated
LoscoBoys Joseph Calleja Mark Anthony Bartolo, Aidan Cassar, Claudio Zammit
DebonoGirls Mike Hedges Karin Duff, Danica Muscat, Jade Vella
MerciecaOversMatthew James BorgAnna Azzopardi, Anna Faniello, Vanessa Lee Sultana
AldenGroupsCarlo Borg BonaciHorizon, Prism, Systm12

Contestants

Key:

  Winner
  Runner-up
  Third Place
Category (mentor)Acts
Boys (Losco)Norbert BondinLuke ChappellOwen Leuellen
Girls (Debono)Kelsey BellanteNicole Frendo Michela Pace
Overs (Mercieca)Franklin CallejaBen PurpllePetra Zammit
Groups (Alden)4th LineKayatiXtreme

Live shows

The live shows began on Sunday, 6 January 2019. They were filmed at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Attard, Malta. [11] Dance groups contracted for all live shows were The Unit Collective (Deedee Clark, Kimberly Lowell, Nicole Schembri), Southville Dancers (Christian Scerri), Kinetic Dance Academy (Clayton Mifsud, Daphne Gatt) and Annalise Dance Studio (Annalise Ellul).

Results summary

Colour key
  – Contestant in the bottom three and had to perform in the Sing-Off
  – Contestant was in the bottom three but received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
  – Contestant received the fewest public votes and was immediately eliminated (no final showdown)
Contestant Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Round OneRound TwoRound OneRound TwoRound Three
Michela Pace SafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeWinner
Owen LeuellenSafeSafeSafe4thSafeSafeRunner-Up
Nicole FrendoSafeSafeSafeSafeSafe3rdEliminated
(week 4)
Petra ZammitSafeSafeSafeSafe4thEliminated
(week 4)
Luke ChappellSafeSafeSafe5thEliminated
(week 3)
Norbert BondinSafeSafeSafe6thEliminated
(week 3)
Ben PurplleSafe8th7thEliminated
(week 3)
Kelsey BellanteSafeSafe8thEliminated
(week 3)
4th LineSafe9thEliminated
(week 2)
XtremeBottom three10thEliminated
(week 2)
Franklin CallejaBottom threeEliminated
(week 1)
Kayati12thEliminated
(week 1)
Sing-OffFranklin Calleja,
Xtreme
4th Line,
Ben Purplle
No Sing Off or Judges Vote. The two acts with the fewest votes will leave the competition.Owen Leuellen,
Luke Chappell
No Sing Off or Judges Vote, the public votes decide who wins.
Alden's vote to eliminateFranklin CallejaBen PurplleOwen Leuellen
Debono's vote to eliminateFranklin CallejaBen PurplleOwen Leuellen
Losco's vote to eliminateFranklin Calleja4th LineLuke Chappell
Mercieca's vote to eliminateXtreme4th LineLuke Chappell
EliminatedKayati
Public vote
Franklin Calleja
3 of 4 votes
Majority
Xtreme
Public vote
4th Line
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock
Kelsey Bellante
Public vote
Ben Purplle
Public vote
Norbert Bondin
Public vote
Luke Chappell
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock
Michela Pace
Owen Leuellen
Nicole Frendo
Petra Zammit

Live show details

Week 1 (6 Jan)

  • Theme: This is Me
Contestants' performances on the first live show
ActOrderSongResult
4th Line1"Survivor"Safe
Luke Chappell2"Overthinking" (original song)Safe
Nicole Frendo3"Too Good at Goodbyes"Safe
Franklin Calleja4"Jealous"Bottom three
Xtreme5"Side to Side"/"Woman Like Me"Bottom three
Michela Pace6"Lost on You"Safe
Norbert Bondin7"Say Something"Safe
Kayati8"Nobody's Perfect"Eliminated
Ben Purplle9"Dancing On My Own"Safe
Owen Leuellen10"Can't Hold Us"Safe
Petra Zammit11"What's Up?"Safe
Kelsey Bellante12"Chained to the Rhythm"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Franklin Calleja1"Clown"Eliminated
Xtreme2"Take Me Home"Safe
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Mercieca: Xtreme
  • Alden: Franklin Calleja
  • Losco: Franklin Calleja
  • Debono: Franklin Calleja

Week 2 (13 Jan)

  • Theme: Throwbacks
Contestants' performances on the second live show
ActOrderSongResult
Xtreme1"They Don't Care About Us"Eliminated
Kelsey Bellante2"Could You Be Loved"Safe
Owen Leuellen3"Boom! Shake the Room"Safe
Ben Purplle4"Yesterday"Bottom three
4th Line5"It's Raining Men"Bottom three
Petra Zammit6"I Just Want to Make Love to You"Safe
Luke Chappell7"Hey There Delilah"Safe
Nicole Frendo8"Purple Rain"Safe
Norbert Bondin9"The Wild Boys"Safe
Michela Pace10"The Power of Love"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Ben Purplle1"Iris"Safe
4th Line2"Queen of the Night"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Mercieca: 4th Line
  • Alden: Ben Purplle
  • Losco: 4th Line
  • Debono: Ben Purplle

With the acts in the sing-off receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. 4th Line was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

Week 3: Semi-Final (20 Jan)

  • Theme: Movie Spectacular, Jukebox
Contestants' performances on the third live show
ActOrderFirst SongResultOrderSecond SongResult
Owen Leuellen1"Gangsta's Paradise"Safe13"What Did You Expect" (original song)Bottom three
Ben Purplle2"Oh, Pretty Woman"EliminatedN/A (Already eliminated)
Nicole Frendo3"Skyfall"Safe14"Scared to Be Lonely"Safe
Norbert Bondin4"Never Enough"Safe11"Empty Space"Eliminated
Michela Pace5"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"Safe12"Shallow"Safe
Luke Chappell6"Heathens"Safe9"What Do You Mean?"Bottom three
Kelsey Bellante7"Pray for Me"EliminatedN/A (Already eliminated)
Petra Zammit8"We Don't Need Another Hero"Safe10"Set Fire to the Rain"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Owen LeuellenN/ASafe
Luke ChappellN/AEliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Mercieca: Luke Chappell
  • Alden: Owen Leuellen
  • Debono: Owen Leuellen
  • Losco: Luke Chappell

With the acts in the sing-off receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Luke Chappell was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

In this semi-final, the eight qualified finalists performed at least once. The two acts with the fewest public votes after the first round left the competition, with Kelsey Bellante, gaining the fewest votes overall, and Ben Purplle gaining the second fewest votes. The top six performed again, with the top three acts automatically progressing to the final. The remaining three faced elimination. Of these three, Norbert Bondin received the fewest votes and was thus immediately eliminated. The remaining two, Owen Leuellen and Luke Chappell, faced the tiebreaker, which was to be decided by the judges. However, as the tie was not resolved by the end of the judges' vote, the deadlock - once again decided by the public vote - had to be used. As Owen Leuellen received more votes then Luke Chappell, the former progressed to the final.

Week 4: Final (26 Jan)

Contestants' performances on the fourth live show
ActOrderFirst SongOrderSecond SongOrderThird SongOrderFourth SongResult
Petra Zammit1"You Don't Own Me"5"Be My Guest" (with Ray Mercieca)N/A (Already eliminated)4th Place
Nicole Frendo2"Russian Roulette"7"Just Give Me a Reason" (with Matthew James)10"Kemm hu Sabiħ" (New Cuorey)N/A (Already eliminated)3rd Place
Owen Leuellen3"One Day" (Original Song)6"Hey Now" (with Ira Losco)9"Aħseb fit-tifel" (Shazam)12"Believe" (Original Song)Runner-up
Michela Pace4"Total Eclipse of the Heart"8"Perfect" (with Joseph Calleja)11"Inti Djamant" (The Tramps)13"Shallow"Winner

Aired Shows

EpisodeAir date
Auditions 17 October 2018
Auditions 214 October 2018
Auditions 321 October 2018
Auditions 428 October 2018
Auditions 54 November 2018
Bootcamp 111 November 2018
Bootcamp 218 November 2018
Six Chair Challenge 1 (Girls)25 November 2018
Six Chair Challenge 2 (Boys)2 December 2018
Six Chair Challenge 3 (Overs)9 December 2018
Six Chair Challenge 4 (Groups)16 December 2018
Judges Houses 1 (Girls and Overs)23 December 2018
Judges Houses 2 (Boys and Groups)30 December 2018
Live Show 16 January 2019
Live Show 213 January 2019
Live Show 320 January 2019
Live Show 426 January 2019

Season 2

The second season premiered on 6 October 2019. [12] As with the inaugural season, the format continued to serve as the Maltese national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The winner of the second season of X Factor Malta would have represented the island nation at the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, but the contest was cancelled due to COVID-19. [13]

Six Chair Challenge

The 24 successful acts were:

Judges' Houses

The Judges' Houses episodes were broadcast on 22 and 29 December 2019.

Summary of Judges' Houses
JudgeCategoryAssistantContestants eliminated
MerciecaBoys Amelia Lily Matt Blxck, Giovanni, Jurgen Volkov
LoscoGirls Louisa Johnson Gail Attard, Marija Bellia, Karin Duff
AldenOversThe New VictoriansChantal Catania, Kersten Graham, Jozi
DebonoGroups Lil' Eddie Chord, Reign, Sweet Chaos

Contestants

Key:

  Winner
  Runner-up
  Third Place
Category (mentor)Acts
Boys (Mercieca)Kyle Cutajar Dav. Jr Karl Schembri
Girls (Losco)Jasmine Abela Destiny Chukunyere Justine Shorfid
Overs (Alden)Ed AbdillaCeline AgiusPaul Anthony
Groups (Debono)BloodlineF.A.I.T.HYazmin & James

Live shows

The live shows began on Sunday, 12 January 2020. They were filmed at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Attard, Malta. Dance groups contracted for all live shows were The Unit Collective (Deedee Clark, Kimberly Lowell, Nicole Schembri), Southville Dancers (Christian Scerri), Kinetic Dance Academy (Clayton Mifsud, Daphne Gatt) and Annalise Dance Studio (Annalise Ellul).

Results summary

Colour key
  – Contestant in the bottom three and had to perform in the Sing-Off
  – Contestant was in the bottom three but received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
  – Contestant received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
ContestantWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
Round OneRound TwoRound OneRound TwoRound Three
Destiny Chukunyere SafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeWinner
Justine ShorfidSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeRunner-up
F.A.I.T.HSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafe3rdEliminated
(week 5)
Kyle CutajarSafeSafeSafeSafeSafe4thEliminated
(week 5)
BloodlineSafeSafeBottom threeSafe5thEliminated
(week 4)
Yazmin & JamesSafe8thSafe6thEliminated
(week 4)
Celine AgiusBottom threeSafeBottom threeEliminated
(week 3)
Karl SchembriSafeSafe8thEliminated
(week 3)
Dav. Jr Safe9thEliminated
(week 2)
Jasmine AbelaSafe10thEliminated
(week 2)
Paul AnthonyBottom threeEliminated
(week 1)
Ed Abdilla12thEliminated
(week 1)
Sing-OffCeline Agius,
Paul Anthony
Dav. Jr,
Yazmin & James
Bloodline,
Celine Agius
No Sing Off or Judges Vote. The two acts with the fewest votes will leave the competition.No Sing Off or Judges Vote, the public votes decide who wins.
Alden's vote to eliminatePaul AnthonyYazmin & JamesBloodline
Debono's vote to eliminatePaul AnthonyDav. JrCeline Agius
Losco's vote to eliminatePaul AnthonyDav. JrCeline Agius
Mercieca's vote to eliminatePaul AnthonyYazmin & JamesCeline Agius
EliminatedEd Abdilla
Public vote
Paul Anthony
4 of 4 votes
Majority
Jasmine Abela
Public vote
Dav. Jr
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock
Karl Schembri
Public vote
Celine Agius
3 of 4 votes
Majority
Yazmin & James
Public vote
Bloodline
Public vote
Destiny Chukunyere
Justine Shorfid
F.A.I.T.H
Kyle Cutajar

Live show details

Week 1 (12 Jan)

  • Theme: Born This Way
Contestants' performances on the first live show
ActOrderSongResult
Jasmine Abela1"Crazy in Love"Safe
Kyle Cutajar2"Writing's on the Wall"Safe
Yazmin & James3"Señorita"Safe
Celine Agius4"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"Bottom three
Justine Shorfid5"Always Remember Us This Way"Safe
Ed Abdilla6"Devil's Robe" (Original song)Eliminated
F.A.I.T.H7"That's My Girl"Safe
Karl Schembri8"Smalltown Boy"Safe
Dav. Jr9"Life is Good" (Original song)Safe
Paul Anthony10"Feel"Bottom three
Bloodline11"My Favorite Things"/"Lovely"Safe
Destiny Chukunyere12"Higher Love"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Celine Agius1"Valerie"Safe
Paul Anthony2"Forget You"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Alden: Paul Anthony
  • Debono: Paul Anthony
  • Mercieca: Paul Anthony
  • Losco: Paul Anthony

Week 2 (19 Jan)

  • Theme: Guilty Pleasures
Contestants' performances on the second live show
ActOrderSongResult
F.A.I.T.H1"Wannabe"Safe
Celine Agius2"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"Safe
Jasmine Abela3"Material Girl"Eliminated
Dav. Jr4"Umbrella"Bottom three
Justine Shorfid5"Dance Monkey"Safe
Bloodline6"Forever Young"Safe
Yazmin & James7"(I've Had) The Time of My Life"Bottom three
Kyle Cutajar8"Never Gonna Give You Up"Safe
Destiny Chukunyere9"I Will Survive"Safe
Karl Schembri10"I'll Fly with You"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Yazmin & James1"Homesick"Safe
Dav. Jr2"Your Song"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Mercieca: Yazmin & James
  • Debono: Dav. Jr
  • Alden: Yazmin & James
  • Losco: Dav. Jr

With the acts in the sing-off receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Dav. Jr was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes

Week 3 (26 Jan)

  • Theme: Movie Spectacular
Contestants' performances on the third live show
ActOrderSongMovieResult
Destiny Chukunyere1"He Lives in You" The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Safe
Celine Agius2"What a Wonderful World" Good Morning, Vietnam Bottom three
Yazmin & James3"You're the One That I Want" Grease Safe
Karl Schembri4"Nessun Dorma" Turandot Eliminated
Bloodline5"Swan Song" Alita: Battle Angel Bottom three
Justine Shorfid6"I Will Always Love You" The Bodyguard Safe
Kyle Cutajar7"Kiss from a Rose" Batman Forever Safe
F.A.I.T.H8"Man in the Mirror" Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Bloodline1"Lost on You"Safe
Celine Agius2"I Put a Spell on You"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Debono: Celine Agius
  • Alden: Bloodline
  • Losco: Celine Agius
  • Mercieca: Celine Agius

Week 4 Semi-final (2 Feb)

  • Theme: Big Band, Jukebox
Contestants' performances on the fourth live show
ActOrderFirst SongResultOrderSecond SongResult
Bloodline1"Diamonds Are Forever"Safe10"Euphoria"Eliminated
Kyle Cutajar2"Feelin' Good"Safe7"River"Safe
Destiny Chukunyere3"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"Safe9"This Is Me"Safe
Yazmin & James4"Fever"EliminatedN/A (Already eliminated)
F.A.I.T.H5"Candyman"Safe11"Runnin' (Lose It All)"Safe
Justine Shorfid6"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"Safe8"Spirit"Safe

Week 5: Final (8 Feb)

Contestants' performances on the fifth live show
ActOrderFirst Song (original song)OrderSecond Song (guest duet)OrderThird Song (Maltese classic song)OrderFourth Song (best moment song)Result
Destiny Chukunyere1"Save the Hero"5"River Deep – Mountain High" (with Amelia Lily)11"Fejn Staħbejtli"13"He Lives in You"Winner
F.A.I.T.H2"We Are F.A.I.T.H"6"Don't Start Now" (with Owen Leuellen)9"Viva Malta"N/A (Already eliminated)3rd Place
Justine Shorfid3"Bittersweet"7"Alone" (with Louisa Johnson)10"L-Aħħar Bidwi"12"All I Want"Runner-Up
Kyle Cutajar4"Rise"8"Shallow" (with Michela Pace)N/A (Already eliminated)4th Place

Season 3

The third season premiered on 3 October 2021. This time around, the winner would not receive the rights to represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Italy.

Six Chair Challenge

The 24 successful acts were:

Judges' Houses

The Judges' Houses episodes were broadcast on 19 December 2021 and 2 January 2022.

Summary of Judges' Houses
JudgeCategoryContestants eliminated
DebonoBoysNathan Psaila, Rheez, Isaac Tom
GrechGirlsMariah Gerada, Kristy Spiteri, Hannah Theuma
LoscoOversJanice Azzopardi, Dean Barton, Jastene Pacis
NaudiGroupsDaryl & Dale, Jasmine, Anna & Jana, Wish Me Lack

Finalists

Key:

  Winner
  Runner-up
  Third Place
Category (mentor)Acts
Boys (Debono)Aidan DrakardRyan HiliKevin Paul
Girls (Grech)Timea FarrLisa GauciShauna Vassallo
Overs (Losco)Cheryl BalzanAudrienne FenechJimmy Tyrrell
Groups (Naudi)BeyondCeci & KrissSoul Tide

Live shows

The live shows began on Sunday, 16 January 2022. They were filmed at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Attard, Malta. Dance groups contracted for all live shows were The Unit Collective (Deedee Clark, Kimberly Lowell, Nicole Schembri), Southville Dancers (Christian Scerri), Kinetic Dance Academy (Clayton Mifsud, Daphne Gatt) and Annalise Dance Studio (Annalise Ellul).

Results summary

Colour key
  – Contestant in the bottom three and had to perform in the Sing-Off
  – Contestant was in the bottom three but received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
  – Contestant received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
ContestantWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
Round OneRound Two
Ryan HiliSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeWinner
Lisa GauciSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeRunner-up
Aidan DrakardSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeThird Place
Cheryl BalzanSafeSafeSafeSafe4thEliminated
(week 5)
Ceci & KrissSafeSafeSafe5thEliminated
(week 4)
Timea FarrSafeBottom threeBottom three6thEliminated
(week 4)
Kevin PaulSafeSafeBottom threeEliminated
(week 3)
Audrienne FenechSafeSafe8thEliminated
(week 3)
Soul TideSafeBottom threeEliminated
(week 2)
Beyond10th10thEliminated
(week 2)
Jimmy Tyrrell11thEliminated
(week 1)
Shauna Vassallo12thEliminated
(week 1)
Sing-OffBeyond,
Jimmy Tyrrell
Soul Tide,
Timea Farr
Kevin Paul,
Timea Farr
No Sing Off or Judges Vote. The two acts with the fewest votes will leave the competition.No Sing Off or Judges Vote, the public votes decide who wins.
Debono's vote to eliminateBeyondSoul TideTimea Farr
Grech's vote to eliminateJimmy TyrrellSoul TideKevin Paul
Losco's vote to eliminateBeyondSoul TideKevin Paul
Naudi's vote to eliminateJimmy TyrrellTimea FarrKevin Paul
EliminatedShauna Vassallo
Public vote
Jimmy Tyrrell
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock
Beyond
Public vote
Soul Tide
3 of 4 votes
Majority
Audrienne Fenech
Public vote
Kevin Paul
3 of 4 votes
Majority
Timea Farr
Public vote
Ceci & Kriss
Public vote
Cheryl Balzan
Public vote
Ryan Hili
Winner
Lisa Gauci
Runner-up
Aidan Drakard
Third place

Live show details

Week 1 (16 Jan)

Contestants' performances on the first live show
ActOrderSongResult
Ryan Hili1"Impossible"Safe
Shauna Vassallo2"Blinding Lights"Eliminated
Jimmy Tyrrell3"Dancing On My Own"Bottom three
Beyond4"Love Runs Out"Bottom three
Kevin Paul5"Hurt" (Original song)Safe
Audrienne Fenech6"Ex's & Oh's"Safe
Timea Farr7"Control"Safe
Ceci & Kriss8"Higher Power"Safe
Aidan Drakard9"Mercy"Safe
Soul Tide10"Don't Go Yet"Safe
Cheryl Balzan11"Just Like a Pill"Safe
Lisa Gauci12"Run"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Beyond1"I Just Called to Say I Love You"Safe
Jimmy Tyrrell2"Purple Rain"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Losco: Beyond
  • Naudi: Jimmy Tyrrell
  • Debono: Beyond
  • Grech: Jimmy Tyrrell

With the acts in the sing-off receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Jimmy Tyrrell was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

Week 2 (23 Jan)

  • Theme: Retro
Contestants' performances on the second live show
ActOrderSongResult
Cheryl Balzan1"The Best"Safe
Timea Farr2"Iris"Bottom three
Kevin Paul3"Right Here Waiting"Safe
Beyond4"I'm Still Standing"Eliminated
Soul Tide5"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)"Bottom three
Lisa Gauci6"Believe"Safe
Ceci & Kriss7"L-Aħħar Bidwi f’Wied il-Għasel"Safe
Ryan Hili8"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)"Safe
Audrienne Fenech9"Tainted Love"Safe
Aidan Drakard10"Freedom! '90"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Timea Farr1"The Night We Met"Safe
Soul Tide2"I Will Survive"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Naudi: Timea Farr
  • Grech: Soul Tide
  • Losco: Soul Tide
  • Debono: Soul Tide

Week 3 (30 Jan)

  • Theme: Soundtracks
Contestants' performances on the third live show
ActOrderSongResult
Kevin Paul1"My Life Is Going On"Bottom three
Ceci & Kriss2"Let it Be"Safe
Lisa Gauci3"Holding Out for a Hero"Safe
Aidan Drakard4"Mad World"Safe
Audrienne Fenech5"Friend Like Me"Eliminated
Timea Farr6"Yellow"Bottom three
Ryan Hili7"Somewhere Only We Know"Safe
Cheryl Balzan8"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Timea Farr1"How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"Safe
Kevin Paul2"If You're Not the One"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Debono: Timea Farr
  • Grech: Kevin Paul
  • Naudi: Kevin Paul
  • Losco: Kevin Paul

Week 4 (6 Feb)

  • Theme: Greatest hits
Contestants' performances on the fourth live show
ActOrderSong
Ryan Hili1"Someone You Loved"
Ceci & Kriss2"Royals"
Lisa Gauci3"The Winner Takes It All"
Aidan Drakard4"Let Me Entertain You"
Timea Farr5"Easy on Me"
Cheryl Balzan6"We Are the Champions"
Sing-off showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Lisa Gauci1"If I Were a Boy"Safe
Cheryl Balzan2"Always"Safe
Ceci & Kriss3"Drivers License"Eliminated
Aidan Drakard4"Anyone"Safe
Timea Farr5"Say Something"Eliminated
Ryan Hili6"Human"Safe

Week 5: Final (12 Feb)

Contestants' performances on the fifth live show
ActOrderFirst SongOrderSecond Song (guest duet)OrderThird Song (best moment song)Result
Aidan Drakard1"Leave a Light On"7"Wicked Game" (with Michela Pace)9"Freedom! '90"3rd Place
Cheryl Balzan2"Here Comes the Rain Again"8"Beat It" (with Owen Leuellen)N/A (Already eliminated)4th Place
Lisa Gauci3"Purple Rain"5"Rumour Has It" (with Justine Shorfid)10"Run"Runner-up
Ryan Hili4"Falling"6"Stay With Me" (with Nicole Frendo)11"Somewhere Only We Know"Winner

Season 4

The fourth season premiered on 8 October 2023.

Six Chair Challenge

The 24 successful acts were:

Judges' Houses

The Judges' Houses episodes were broadcast on 24 and 31 December 2023.

Summary of Judges' Houses
JudgeCategoryContestants eliminated
BondinBoysFrancesco Bonello, Aiden Cohen, Christian Grasso
BezzinaGirlsMarija Bellia, Mariah Fenech, Eliza Stellini
DebonoOversShenise Ghirxi, Cora Elizabeth Lewis, Joe Romano
LoscoGroupsFreezap, Tonation, Zoe & Kuba

Finalists

Key:

  Winner
  Runner-Up
  Third Place
Category (mentor)Acts
Boys (Bondin)Mattia AdduocchioKodin CamilleriIsaac Tom
Girls (Bezzina)Amelia KalabicShanice MicallefKristy Spiteri
Overs (Debono)Richard AquilinaSean KamatiRose Marielle Mamaclay
Groups (Losco)Kelsie & MartinaLapes & NadineXO

Live shows

The live shows began on Sunday, 14 January 2024. They were filmed at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Attard, Malta.

Results summary

Colour key
  – Contestant in the bottom three and had to perform in the Sing-Off
  – Contestant was in the bottom three but received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
  – Contestant received the fewest votes and was immediately eliminated
ContestantWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
Round OneRound Two
Richard AquilinaSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeWinner
Lapes u NadineSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeRunner-up
Shanice MicallefSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeThird Place
Amelia KalabicSafeBottom threeBottom threeSafe4thEliminated
(week 5)
Rose Marielle MamaclaySafeSafeSafe5thEliminated
(week 4)
Sean KamatiBottom threeSafeSafe6th
XOSafeSafeBottom threeEliminated
(week 3)
Isaac TomSafeSafe8thEliminated
(week 3)
Kodin CamilleriSafeBottom threeEliminated
(week 2)
Kelsie & MartinaSafe10thEliminated
(week 2)
Kristy SpiteriBottom threeEliminated
(week 1)
Mattia Adduocchio12thEliminated
(week 1)
Sing-OffSean Kamati,
Kristy Spiteri
Kodin Camilleri,
Amelia Kalabic
XO,
Amelia Kalabic
No Sing Off or Judges Vote. The two acts with the fewest votes will leave the competition.No Sing Off or Judges Vote, the public votes decide who wins.
Debono's vote to eliminateKristy SpiteriKodin CamilleriXO
Losco's vote to eliminateKristy SpiteriKodin CamilleriAmelia Kalabic
Bondin's vote to eliminateKristy SpiteriAmelia KalabicXO
Bezzina's vote to eliminateSean KamatiKodin CamilleriXO
EliminatedMattia Adduocchio
Public vote
Kristy Spiteri
3 of 4 votes
Majority
Kelsie & Martina
Public vote
Kodin Camilleri
3 of 4 votes
Majority
Isaac Tom
Public vote
XO
3 of 4 votes
Majority
Sean Kamati
Public vote
Rose Marielle Mamaclay
Public vote
Amelia Kalabic
Public vote
Richard Aquilina
Winner
Lapes u Nadine
Runner-up
Shanice Micallef
Third place

Live show details

Week 1 (14 Jan)

Contestants' performances on the first live show
ActOrderSongResult
Shanice Micallef1"Jealous"Safe
Sean Kamati2"Lay Me Down"Bottom three
XO3"New Rules"Safe
Isaac Tom4"Arcade"Safe
Amelia Kalabic5"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)"Safe
Kelsie & Martina6"Alive"Safe
Richard Aquilina7"In the Stars"Safe
Kodin Camilleri8"Roadhouse Blues"Safe
Kristy Spiteri9"Déjà Vu"Bottom three
Rose Marielle Mamaclay10"Who You Are"Safe
Mattia Adduocchio11"Feeling Good"Eliminated
Lapes & Nadine12Original songSafe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Sean Kamati1"Purple Rain"Safe
Kristy Spiteri2"How Am I Supposed to Live Without You"Eliminated
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Debono: Kristy Spiteri
  • Bezzina: Sean Kamati
  • Losco: Kristy Spiteri
  • Bondin: Kristy Spiteri

Week 2 (21 Jan)

  • Theme: Number 1 Hits
Contestants' performances on the second live show
ActOrderSongResult
Amelia Kalabic1"Nothing Compares 2 U"Bottom three
Rose Marielle Mamaclay2"What About Us"Safe
Isaac Tom3"Save Your Tears"Safe
Kelsie & Martina4"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"Eliminated
Sean Kamati5"It's a Man's Man's Man's World"Safe
Kodin Camilleri6"Uptown Funk"Bottom three
Lapes & Nadine7"Love the Way You Lie" (Maltese)Safe
Shanice Micallef8"Bridge over Troubled Water"Safe
XO9"Jolene"Safe
Richard Aquilina10"Shivers"Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Kodin Camilleri1"California Dreamin'"Eliminated
Amelia Kalabic2"Killing Me Softly with His Song"Safe
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Bondin: Amelia Kalabic
  • Bezzina: Kodin Camilleri
  • Losco: Kodin Camilleri
  • Debono: Kodin Camilleri

Week 3 (28 Jan)

  • Theme: Throwbacks
Contestants' performances on the third live show
ActOrderSongResult
XO1"Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"Bottom three
Amelia Kalabic2"Bohemian Rhapsody"Bottom three
Sean Kamati3"Don't Stop Believin'"Safe
Lapes & Nadine4"Read All About It" (Maltese)Safe
Rose Marielle Mamaclay5"I Have Nothing"Safe
Shanice Micallef6"Yesterday"Safe
Richard Aquillina7"Angels"Safe
Issac Tom8"It's a Sin"Eliminated
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
XO1"Drivers License"Eliminated
Amelia Kalabic2"I See Red"Safe
Judges' vote to eliminate
  • Losco: Amelia Kalabic
  • Bezzina: XO
  • Debono: XO
  • Bondin: XO

Week 4 (Semi-Finals) (4 Feb)

  • Theme: Movies
Contestants' performances on the fourth live show
ActOrderSongFilmResult
Rose Marielle Mamaclay1"Never Enough The Greatest Showman Safe
Amelia Kalabic2"No Time to Die" No Time to Die Safe
Richard Aquilina3"A Thousand Years" The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Safe
Sean Kamati4"Kiss from a Rose" Batman Forever Eliminated
Lapes & Nadine5"Now We Are Free" Gladiator Safe
Shanice Micallef6"What Was I Made For?" Barbie Safe
Final showdown details
ActOrderSongResult
Lapes & Nadine1"Lose Yourself (Maltese)"Safe
Richard Aquilina2"Don't Give Up On Me"Safe
Shanice Micallef3"Vampire"Safe
Amelia Kalabic4"Cutting Ties (Original)"Safe
Rose Marielle Mamaclay5"Bang Bang"Eliminated

Week 5: Final (11 Feb)

Contestants' performances on the fifth live show
ActOrderFirst SongOrderSecond Song (guest duet)OrderThird Song (best moment song)Result
Amelia Kalabic1"Running in Circles (Original)"5"You Don't Own Me" (with Owen Leuellen)N/A (Already eliminated)4th Place
Richard Aquilina2"Half a Man"6"Broken Strings" (with Lisa Gauci)9"In The Stars"Winner
Shanice Micallef3"As the World Caves In"7"Sabiħa" (with Gianluca Bezzina)10"Jealous"3rd Place
Lapes & Nadine4"Ġo Gaġġa Kollha Lwien (Original Maltese)"8"Cannonball" (with Ira Losco)11"Now We Are Free"Runner Up


References

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  2. "X-Factor Malta to determine Eurovision entry; news welcomed, but questions raised". www.independent.com.mt. The Malta Independent . Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  3. "It's OFFICIAL: Malta's Got Talent to Replace X Factor and There's a 25k Prize to be Won". 6 July 2020.
  4. "X Factor Malta Is Back! Season 3 Is Returning To Our Tv Screens". 16 June 2021.
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  7. "Malta: X Factor Auditions Begin as Nationwide Search Gets Underway". Euroviox. July 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  8. "Hundreds Of Singers Cross Their Fingers As X Factor Malta Auditions Kick Off". Lovin Malta. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  9. "ESC 2019 – Malta: Stasera al via la 2ª fase di The X Factor Malta – Aggiornato". Leuropazzia. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
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  12. Farren, Neil (6 September 2019). "Malta: X Factor Malta Season 2 to Begin on October 6". Eurovoix. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
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