X Factor Malta Explained

Genre:Reality competition
Creator:Simon Cowell
Director:Jeremy Dalli
Mark Vassallo
Presenter:Gianni Zammit (4–)
Ben Camille (1–3)
Judges:Howard 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:Malta
Language:English
Maltese
Num Seasons:4
Executive Producer:Anton Attard
Mark Grech
Producer:Gordon Bonello
Olwyn Jo Saliba
Peter Carbonaro
Annalise Azzopardi
Eileen Spiteri
Nicky Aquilina
Editor:Neville Grech
Chantal Fenech
Ruben Cassar
Sam Dalli
Gary Bugeja
Network:TVM
Last Aired:present

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 and .[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.

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"

SeasonStart Finish Winner Main judges
17 October 201826 January 2019Michela PaceOwen LeuellenNicole FrendoPetra ZammitHoward Keith DebonoBen CamilleHoward Keith Debono
Ira Losco
Alexandra Alden
Ray Mercieca
26 October 20198 February 2020Destiny ChukunyereJustine ShorfidF.A.I.T.HKyle CutajarIra Losco
33 October 202112 February 2022Ryan HiliDrakardLisa GauciCheryl BalzanHoward Keith DebonoHoward Keith Debono
Ira Losco
Ivan Grech
Philippa Naudi
48 October 202311 February 2024Richard AquilinaShanice MicallefLapes & NadineAmelia 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
LoscoBoysJoseph CallejaMark Anthony Bartolo, Aidan Cassar, Claudio Zammit
DebonoGirlsMike HedgesKarin 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 Bondin Luke Chappell bgcolor=pinkOwen Leuellen
Girls (Debono)Kelsey Bellante Nicole Frendo Michela Pace
Overs (Mercieca)Franklin Calleja Ben Purplle Petra Zammit
Groups (Alden)4th Line Kayati Xtreme

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)
    ContestantWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4
    Round OneRound TwoRound OneRound TwoRound Three
    Michela PaceSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeWinner
    Owen LeuellenSafeSafeSafe4thSafeSafeRunner-Up
    Nicole FrendoSafeSafeSafeSafeSafe3rdEliminated
    (week 4)
    Petra ZammitSafeSafeSafeSafe4thEliminated
    (week 4)
    Luke ChappellSafeSafeSafe5thEliminated
    (week 3)
    Norbert BondinSafeSafeSafe6thEliminated
    (week 3)
    Ben PurplleSafe8th7thEliminated
    (week 3)
    Kelsey BellanteSafeSafe8th Eliminated
    (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)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    Week 2 (13 Jan)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    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)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderFirst 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

    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 1
    Auditions 2
    Auditions 3
    Auditions 4
    Auditions 5
    Bootcamp 1
    Bootcamp 2
    Six Chair Challenge 1 (Girls)
    Six Chair Challenge 2 (Boys)
    Six Chair Challenge 3 (Overs)
    Six Chair Challenge 4 (Groups)
    Judges Houses 1 (Girls and Overs)
    Judges Houses 2 (Boys and Groups)
    Live Show 1
    Live Show 2
    Live Show 3
    Live Show 4

    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
    MerciecaBoysAmelia LilyMatt Blxck, Giovanni, Jurgen Volkov
    LoscoGirlsLouisa JohnsonGail Attard, Marija Bellia, Karin Duff
    AldenOversThe New VictoriansChantal Catania, Kersten Graham, Jozi
    DebonoGroupsLil' EddieChord, Reign, Sweet Chaos

    Contestants

    Key:

     - Winner

     - Runner-up

     - Third Place

    Category (mentor)Acts
    Boys (Mercieca)Kyle Cutajar Karl Schembri
    Girls (Losco)Jasmine Abela bgcolor=pinkJustine Shorfid
    Overs (Alden)Ed Abdilla Celine Agius Paul Anthony
    Groups (Debono)Bloodline F.A.I.T.H Yazmin & 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 ChukunyereSafeSafeSafe Safe SafeSafeSafeWinner
    Justine ShorfidSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeRunner-up
    F.A.I.T.HSafeSafeSafe SafeSafeSafe3rdEliminated
    (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. JrSafe9thEliminated
    (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)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    Week 2 (19 Jan)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    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)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongMovieResult
    Destiny Chukunyere1"He Lives in You"Safe
    Celine Agius2"What a Wonderful World"Good Morning, VietnamBottom three
    Yazmin & James3"You're the One That I Want"GreaseSafe
    Karl Schembri4"Nessun Dorma"TurandotEliminated
    Bloodline5"Swan Song"Bottom three
    Justine Shorfid6"I Will Always Love You"The BodyguardSafe
    Kyle Cutajar7"Kiss from a Rose"Batman ForeverSafe
    F.A.I.T.H8"Man in the Mirror"Safe
    Final showdown details
    ActOrderSongResult
    Bloodline1"Lost on You"Safe
    Celine Agius2"I Put a Spell on You"Eliminated
    Judges' vote to eliminate

    Week 4 Semi-final (2 Feb)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderFirst 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"Eliminated N/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)bgcolor=pinkAidan Drakard Ryan Hili Kevin Paul
    Girls (Grech)Timea Farr Lisa Gauci Shauna Vassallo
    Overs (Losco)Cheryl Balzan Audrienne Fenech Jimmy Tyrrell
    Groups (Naudi)Beyond Ceci & Kriss Soul 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
    Aidan Drakard
    Runner-up
    Lisa Gauci
    Third place

    Live show details

    Week 1 (16 Jan)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    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)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    Week 3 (30 Jan)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    Week 4 (6 Feb)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSong
    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-ud
    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 Adduocchio Kodin Camilleri Isaac Tom
    Girls (Bezzina)Amelia Kalabic bgcolor=pinkShanice MicallefKristy Spiteri
    Overs (Debono)Richard Aquilina Sean Kamati Rose Marielle Mamaclay
    Groups (Losco)Kelsie & Martina Lapes & 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
    Shanice MicallefSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeRunner-up
    Lapes & NadineSafeSafeSafeSafeSafeThird 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
    Shanice Micallef
    Runner-up
    Lapes & Nadine
    Third place

    Live show details

    Week 1 (14 Jan)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    Week 2 (21 Jan)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    Week 3 (28 Jan)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongResult
    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

    Week 4 (Semi-Finals) (4 Feb)

    Act! scope="col"
    OrderSongFilmResult
    Rose Marielle Mamaclay1"Never EnoughThe Greatest ShowmanSafe
    Amelia Kalabic2"No Time to Die"No Time to DieSafe
    Richard Aquilina3"A Thousand Years"Safe
    Sean Kamati4"Kiss from a Rose" Batman ForeverEliminated
    Lapes & Nadine5"Now We Are Free"GladiatorSafe
    Shanice Micallef6"What Was I Made For?"BarbieSafe
    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

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: X FACTOR PREMIERE: Here's Who Got Four Yeses And Who Was Sent Packing. 9 October 2018.
    2. Web site: X-Factor Malta to determine Eurovision entry; news welcomed, but questions raised. www.independent.com.mt. The Malta Independent. 2 July 2018.
    3. Web site: It's OFFICIAL: Malta's Got Talent to Replace X Factor and There's a 25k Prize to be Won. 6 July 2020.
    4. Web site: X Factor Malta Is Back! Season 3 Is Returning To Our Tv Screens. 16 June 2021.
    5. Web site: Ben Camille to host The X Factor Malta. 2 July 2018 . TVM News. 2 July 2018.
    6. Web site: The X Factor Malta applications are now open – the winner to get a record contract with Sony . TVM . 26 June 2018 . 16 November 2018.
    7. Web site: Malta: X Factor Auditions Begin as Nationwide Search Gets Underway . Euroviox . July 2018 . 16 November 2018.
    8. Web site: Hundreds Of Singers Cross Their Fingers As X Factor Malta Auditions Kick Off . Lovin Malta . 16 July 2018 . 16 November 2018.
    9. Web site: ESC 2019 – Malta: Stasera al via la 2ª fase di The X Factor Malta – Aggiornato . Leuropazzia . 11 November 2018 . 17 November 2018.
    10. Web site: The X Factor Malta Chair Challenge . Guide Me Malta . 17 November 2018.
    11. Web site: X FACTOR MALTA LIVE SHOW . Shows Happening . 31 December 2018.
    12. Web site: Farren. Neil. Malta: X Factor Malta Season 2 to Begin on October 6. Eurovoix. 6 September 2019. 6 September 2019.
    13. Web site: Farren. Neil. Malta: X Factor Malta Winner to Go to Eurovision 2020. Eurovoix. 11 October 2019. 11 October 2019.