It was the final week of the judges’ auditions of the X Factor Malta and the show had left a few exciting acts until last. Facing the judges this week was Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2017 runner-up Janice Mangion, as well as Claudia and Fabrizio Faniello’s mum, Anna Faniello. But what did the judging panel think?
For the past month, music manager Howard Keith Debono, rock legend Ray Mercieca, singer-songwriter Alexandra Alden and Eurovision legend Ira Losco have been auditioning acts. With the last group of X Factor hopefuls, we may have also seen the act who will go on to represent Malta in Tel Aviv.
Ever since Janice Mangion confirmed her X Factor involvement, many fans have been eagerly awaiting her audition. She made an impact at MESC 2017 with her Maltese-language ballad “Kewkba”. The entry placed second, and since then fans have wanted Janice to take another shot at Eurovision for Malta — and that’s something that could happen this season.
For her X Factor audition, Janice sang Beyoncé’s “Listen”. While her vocals were technically solid, the performance was perhaps proof that much of the magic of 2017 came from the song “Kewkba”. Judge Alexandra wasn’t very impressed and gave Janice a no, but the other three judges were happy enough to give yeses, meaning we’ll see Janice at Bootcamp.
Anna Faniello has seen two of her children make it to the Eurovision stage, but now she is taking a shot herself. The mother of Claudia Faniello (Malta 2017) and Fabrizio Faniello (Malta 2001, 2006) — looking more like a cool older sister — had her moment in the spotlight.
Anna served Italian-Maltese realness in her audition song and showed exactly where her kids get their talent from. The judges praised her “effortless” performance and sincerity, and were very happy to give her four yeses. Anna will be heading to Bootcamp.
Another recent MESC alum also had an audition — and he delivered his own take on the Eurovision 2018 winner. Matthew Anthony placed seventh in the Maltese national final earlier this year with “Call 2morrow”. For his X Factor audition, he performed a stripped-back acoustic version of Netta’s “Toy”.
Judge Ray observed, “His guitar playing is absolutely rubbish, but I really like his voice.” The rest of the judges agreed (about his voice) and gave four yeses. He’s off to Bootcamp.
Joining the above at Bootcamp will be the magical Aleandro Pace Tahir, Denise Mercieca, Gail Attard, Michela Galea, Miguel Bonello, Nicole Borg, Sarah Bonnici and the duo WER1. We’ll also see MESC 2013 act Janice Debattista and MESC 2017 singers Jade Vella and Shauna Vassallo.
Earlier this week, the judges added more names to the growing list of singers headed to Bootcamp. We’ll see Jake Camilleri, Clayton Portelli, Ryan Grech, Nazio Rotin, Shannon McEvoy, David Cauchi, Mikhail Attard, Charlene Muscat, Francesca Scerri, Martha Micallef Attard and Nicole Falzon at Bootcamp.
With the judges auditions over, next we’ll see how over 100 competing acts will fair at Bootcamp. The X Factor Malta continues next Sunday.
What do you think? Who do you want to see go through to live shows? Who should represent Malta in Tel Aviv? Tell us your thoughts below.
Not only did Anna sing an Italian Eurovision (music in general) royalty of Mia Martini she sang with something that Janice did lack. An that was heart. If Anna were to win…I wouldn’t be upset. ??
how cool would it be if Anna Faniello won? Not only is her voice amazing but wouldnt that make eurovision history for any country if the brother, sister and Mother all represented their country at a different year? Anna ftw!
So epic! You can see it in her face and hear it in her voice where Claudia got her good qualities from. I imagine her as the Maltese Gianna Nannini at Eurovision. Now, the real question is: Can Malta find a way to NOT screw this up?
Anna Faniello is so good, would love for her to go sing something in Italian to Tel Aviv
the winner gets a contract with universal italy, which is presumably where they will get the song from so shes ready!
As much as I love her, I still think we need something slicker and more fresh for Tel Aviv… I’m looking forward to see what groups the judges are going to create, I’m sure Alexandra will polish them up nicely in hope to find a good band for Eurovision… but I’m aware that this is difficult 🙁
Wow u know things aren’t going well for Janice when even wiwi bloggs is being shady about her! I want Franklin to win!!!
they can’t be shady, cause they love her! They won’t be shady with their faves! so sad :/
Indeed. Especially the song choice makes me question her judgement.
Seriously, Anna Faniello! How epic would that be? I am delighted about her.
I’m not sure how I feel about Janice being there. At first, I got really excited about reading her name in the headline but after watching the video, I am very unsure. I think poorly of those judges BUT to be fair, Janice certainly wasn’t like a fish in the water in this situation, which I think actually speaks in favor of her. However, if you decide to take part in a fake show, I suppose you have to know what you’re getting into and adapt.
Oh, and of course: Anna Faniello to Eurovision!
The judges needed to listen to ‘why don’t we’s song and make these 8 letters harder to say, but they didn’t.
#bootcamp
Matthew Anthony was my favourite in Malta this year so glad to see him giving it another go.
If Janice wants to do well she should sing in Maltese… singing Listen at an X Factor audition proves that she doesn’t have a clue who she is and that she’s even doubtful about her songs in Maltese. A show like this is really exposing her and shooting down these overhyped Eurovision acts one by one. And I’m loving it!
As much as I love your username (who could this be? XD), I doubt that Janice doesn’t like her “Maltese identity” just because she is singing in English. It’s an audition of an international castingshow, so why should she “hate” it to sing in English? 😉
If she liked it so much, she would have auditioned with it. And please, get your quotes right and learn how to read… I never mentioned ‘hate’ 😉 xD
“Hate” wasn’t a quote of your text, but I emphasized this word as a term to discuss by putting quotation marks around it 😉 But well, I love your humour in your last comment, honey (no joke)!
Nothing personal intended, you’re pretty sassy too.. much love xD
Listen is the most oversung song EVER at talent show auditions. I agrih she could’ve come up with something else, Beyoncé is unmatchable anyway.
I know right! 😀 So much singing talent on ca. 500.000 inhabitants… The judges are fab, obviously Ira is the star, but Alexandra and the boys are fitting well into the team…
Malta’s got talent! So many options. Michela Galea and Nicole Borg were AMAZING <3
I am very interested in how they will select their few liveshow-participants (less liveshows than X Factor UK) out of that big bootcamp. 6-Chair-Challenge and Judges Houses must be hard 😉
Ah! 🙂 I think they wanted four liveshows, so I suggest: 12 in LS1, 9 in LS2, 6 in LS3 and 3 in the final 🙂
It’s possible they will have some prerecorded gala shows ?
Janice Mangion was a diiiiva back in 2017. She made Salvador-esque statements about the quality of Eurovision music. But it was easy to overlook that because Kewba was so good. But X-Factor is a personality show. If she keeps up the sour faced diva act, she’s not going to get very far.