She’s one of Malta’s most successful Eurovision stars — finishing 12th in 2016 and missing out on victory by a mere 12 points in 2002. And now, if rumours are to be believed, it looks like Ira Losco is set to pass on her song contest nous to a new generation as a judge on X Factor Malta.
The reports emanate from the Lovin Malta website. Like the rest of us, they’re eager to work out who the four panellists will be on the Maltese edition of Simon Cowell’s global reality TV juggernaut.
While ruling out local pop acts Joseph Calleja and Emma Muscat, the site declares that Ira Losco is “IN!”.
Like Ira sang in “7th Wonder”, the big question is “Is it fiction or fact?”.
Somewhat frustratingly, the declaration is based purely on loose-tongued “sources close to the show”. Neither Ira Losco nor X Factor Malta have commented on the story.
Update: Just after 18.00 local time, X Factor Malta officially confirmed Howard Keith Debono as the shows first judge. Debono is best known as a music manager, and Ira is perhaps the biggest act on his books. Whether this increases or decreases the likelihood of her joining the judging panel remains to be seen.
The publicity blurb reads:
We are proud to present our first judge – HOWARD KEITH DEBONO. Howard has been in the music industry for over 20 years and has helped various artists with music publishing, import and export platforms as well as licensing and dealing with labels.
Howard is known for his honesty and saying it as it is, but above all for spotting talent and nurturing it to it’s maximum potential
? We are proud to present our first judge -HOWARD KEITH DEBONO ?? Howard has been in the music industry for over 20…
Posted by X Factor Malta on Saturday, July 28, 2018
Lovin Malta also reckons that Ray Mercieca from The Rifffs could join the “Walk On Water” songstress on the panel.
Our William and Deban will be wishing they put money on her should the speculation prove true. Immediately after X Factor Malta was announced, they both predicted that Ms. Losco would grace the panel. The pair’s crystal ball also suggested Junior Eurovision winning songwriters Muxu and Elton Zarb.
However, Deban’s second choice of Fabrizio Faniello — Eurovision 2001 and 2006 and brother of 2016’s Claudia — is unlikely to make the cut, given that his mother is among those auditioning.
“Kewkba” kween Janice Mangion also confirmed her intention to audition earlier this week.
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.
Another ballad winning wouldn’t be cool
I don’t think this ‘X Factor’ route is the best way through for Malta. Malta have struggled at Eurovision in recent years and now they’re doing this. Doing your selection show via a talent show doesn’t mean 100% success (look at Saara Aalto, Andy Abraham etc.)
But there was Lucie Jones, but I wouldn’t do it that way!
oooo on the x factor malta facebook page all the reviews are one star from auditioning people who claim the producers forced them to bring their family along just to create a crowd or else they wouldn’t get to audition. And the producers said if they didn’t then they would be eliminated, and sure enough they brought their families and they got an email two days later saying they were eliminated :S Isn’t it funny though, such a small island and population wouldn’t any ‘popularity’ or celebrity/exclusivity be small since everyone would see them down the street/ know each other?
I think Gianluca Bezzina should also be a judge as he is the only Maltese singer to crack the Top 10 in this decade, 5 years ago.
I think it will be more probable that Losco will be on the judging panel. She has lots of experience and could be potentially coming back to Eurovision as a songwriter, which would probably be a good move for her, as she already has the experience on the Eurovision main stage. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s revealed as the last judge though as she’s definitely the biggest female artist from Malta
i want brooke but i dont think she will be in the maltese selection this year;( Best of luck to Janice , If brooke isnt entering, then im rooting for janice.