She lost the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2017 by less than 600 votes, coming second with her stunning ballad “Kewkba” (Star).
And today Janice Mangion made it clear that she still has a hunger to sing at ESC by confirming that she has auditioned for X Factor Malta — the country’s selection show for this year’s song contest.
She made the announcement on Facebook, writing: “There were many people who asked me whether I applied to the X Factor Malta … and now that we are getting closer to the judges’ auditions … my answer is YES! ❤ I wish everyone the very best of luck.”
We first got to know Janice at the Wiwi Jam, Jr. in Malta’s Hard Rock Café in 2016. She floored us with her on-point vocals and ease with a crowd.
But it was the release of her 2017 MESC entry “Kewkba” that really left us speechless and announced the arrival of a major voice of the Mediterranean. During our MESC 2017 jury, I reviewed her song this way:
“Power ballads aren’t just about shouting — and Janice Mangion offers a masterclass on the matter. Despite her undeniable strength and her enormous voice, she still lets us hear her quiver. She manages to show vulnerability and fragility amid all the big notes, making this touching ballad all the more touching. It’s the only song that’s given me goosebumps during the current Eurovision cycle. It’s magic and it would be a worthy winner in Malta.”
You can watch our first reaction to the song at 12:52 below.
X Factor Malta 2018
Malta Eurovision Song Contest is no more — as TVM move on to a new selection process for Eurovision 2019. Instead, the winner of the first season of X Factor Malta will be the country’s representative in Israel.
TVM announced the news in a brief statement in June, simply promoting the fact that the popular global show will finally debut in Malta. Whether it’s a solo act or group that triumphs, that act will represent Malta at the next Eurovision.
The broadcaster has now confirmed that the series will be hosted by Junior Eurovision 2016 co-host Ben Camille.
Model/actor Ben may be best known to Eurovision fans as the co-host of Junior Eurovision 2016. While his background suggested he was a good pick for the role, Ben Camille — along with co-host Valerie Vella — was criticised for wooden delivery and a series of blunders, including revealing the winning country too early.
However, Ben previously had the more successful gig as the host of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2016, and proved himself capable of presenting the two live shows.
He’s also known for his modelling career, and has established himself as a television actor. He recently starred in the popular Maltese historic drama series Strada stretta.
Read more Malta Eurovision news
get her to work with the same team of writers
give us three awesome songs to chose from
and we get to share the maltese language at eurovision
Janice’s got the fire !! <3
She definitely HAS the X Factor. I hope she wins!
yeee get it girl malta pls send something in maltese, you got an internal selection now
btw bernardo was on our tv https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_qAgxrtqQ0
I love the X Factor, but a queen like Janice Mangion should not have to go through that reality TV circus in order to get a shot at representing her country at Eurovision.
What about brooke? is she taking part?
Can Saara Aalto just go to Malta and roll X Factor up like she did in the UK 2016 (coming second and only not winning because she was a foreigner and Britishboy Matt got more votes even though Saara was the better singer by miles), this time winning and going to Eurovision again? 😀 😀 😀 Yes, I am joking! But Saara was really better then Matt Terry, sorry Matt, you just won in the UK because you are British and Saara not…
She should be internally selected tho.
I would love to see Janice or Brooke finally on the Eurovision stage!