It’s been a busy night at the semi-final of the X Factor Malta. Eight acts performed in the show, but half were ruthlessly sent home. This leaves just four acts who will be competing in next week’s grand final. And whoever wins the series will also be Malta’s act for Eurovision 2019.
First, let’s look at the unlucky acts whose X Factor journey ended tonight. After all the acts performed, the two with the lowest public vote were eliminated straightaway. So we said goodbye to the folky singer Ben Purplle and fiery popstress Kelsey Bellante.
Then it was time for a Super Elimination, with all remaining acts up for the chop. After the acts gave a second performance, Norbert Bondin had the lowest result and was the third act to leave. The next two lowest were the remaining Boys, Luke Chappell and Owen Leuellen. The judges were evenly split between the two, meaning the decision went to Deadlock. In the end, Luke Chappell became the fourth act to leave.
And that leaves us with the four acts who will be heading to the grand final.
Michela Pace
Michaela is a 17-year-old from the island of Gozo. From her first audition, she established herself as one to watch, with her rich, expressive vocals. In the show, Michela performed Lady Gaga’s recent hit “Shallow”, giving exactly the sort of performance she excels at.
Nicole Frendo
Nicole is 16 years old and is another act who has proven to be a stand-out right from her first audition. Her specialty is big dramatic ballads, and she effortlessly delivered Adele’s Bond anthem “Skyfall” at the semi-final.
Owen Leuellen
As a rapper, Owen brings a point of difference to the contest. During the audition and Bootcamp stage, he performed his own heartfelt raps, but during the live shows he also demonstrated a talent for covering hip hop classics, such as “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio. And the dude can sing as well as rap.
Petra
Petra is a familiar face from Malta’s national final, having previously competed five times, including last year. She’s proved herself to be a hardworking and determined singer with strong soul vocals. At the semi-final she slayed with Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain”.
Poll: Who is your favourite act to win X Factor Malta – and represent Malta at Eurovision 2019?
But who do you want to win X Factor Malta and go on to represent Malta at Eurovision 2019? Have your say in our poll. Remember — you can vote for as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once, so make it count!
[polldaddy poll=10218754]Season two of X Factor Malta confirmed
Ahead of next weekend’s grand final, broadcaster TVM has confirmed that there will be a second series of the X Factor Malta. Applications are open now, with interested singers aged 15 and over invited to contact the production team via WhatsApp.
While the 2019 series of the show has not yet been confirmed as Malta’s selection method for Eurovision 2020, it seems unlikely that TVM would have the budget to stage both the X Factor and the Malta Eurovision Song Contest.
WE ARE PROUD TO LAUNCH X Factor Malta's SEASON 2!People of 15 years of age and over can register their interest by…
Posted by X Factor Malta on Sunday, January 20, 2019
The grand final of the X Factor Malta will screen next Saturday (not Sunday!) at 21:00 CET. It is not known if the acts will perform their potential Eurovision entries at the grand final, or whether the winner will have their song internally selected at a later stage.
Is Michela Pace from JESC 2009 entry?
First of all, I am very well impressed how such a small island like Malta is well capable to organise such a big show like the X Factor. I always followed the MESC because I don’t know why I have a soft-spot for the Maltese singers and I can say that the Malta Eurovision never reached the same levels of the X Factor. Maybe of the poor songs that always reached the finals or maybe of the same set of 6 singers participating each and every single year. I think my favourite one is Michela Paci followed by Nicole Frèndoo.… Read more »
It will be aired next SATURDAY 26th not sunday
So 3 women and 1 man. I’d like to see Owen to Eurovision, because it’s the different, we won’t see women with good vocals singing a ballad. The thing I’m worried about is if rap can stand on a Eurovision stage. It’s a genre juries don’t appreciate and it’s difficult for the common viewer to immediately like sth like this. Michela has strong vocals, but I’m not really a fan. I didn’t like any of her performances yesterday. Nicole has a great voice despite being only 16. I liked both “Skyfall” and “Scared to be lonely”. Petra is the most… Read more »
What? Have you heard Michela singing Shallow? If not, you’re missing out. Best performance of the entire season!
Michela has impressed me since the beggining with her cover of Total Eclipse of the Heart, and Owen is the different one among those 4. It has to be between theese 2.
You’ve got the wrong info. The final is going to be screened on Saturday @ 20:45pm and yesterday the acts performed 2 songs actually and not one. Both Petra and Nicole nailed their 2 songs while Michaela redeemed her self as she was not that good during her first performance. Owen did a very good job when he sung his 2nd song written by himself the dude got some guts.
I would go for Owen. I’m tired of screaming divas. He would bring something different. Also, Nicole Frendo is 16 and looks older than me, what’s the point on making girls look like divas? Don’t like it.
Anyway, Michela Pace will win and Malta would go either for: an uninteresting ballad (“Breathlessly”) or the typical trash pop songs present in MESC (“Taboo”). If we are lucky enough they will bring a standard pop song like “Walk On Water” or “Warrior”. I didn’t like them, but at least they were enjoyable. It’s like the Maltese don’t know any other music styles.
I’m impressed by Michela. I don’t know how to call it, but I love what happens to her voice when se sings the chorus.
Michela, hands down.
It will definitely be a woman for Malta. Which one, I don’t know.
I think Petra will win. She’s already “known”, as she has competed multiple times at Malta Eurovision and she’s been up there for some years. Plus, she’s talented.
Owen is GIVING ME LIFE. He would be a definite game changer.
What happened to Franklin? I thought he was meant to be in the show this year?
He was voted out first 🙂
We definitely need more rap in ESC, but Owen seems like a typical teenager who listened to Eminem a couple times and then thinks he is straight outta the ghettos of new york. His flow ain’t right. This aint it.
Then again they all are pretty awful, maybe owen is the pick just to provide something different.
just don’t watch the show, you are not obliged to. don’t hate on what you can’t even dream to achieve 😉
Owen should win. He brings something unique and original. He can rap and his singing is on point too.
The final is actually on Saturday
Get any of the ladies, have them do a song with Owen doing a rap verse. He’s better than Jenifer, bless her heart. They’ve got a bunch of strong singers, but Malta’s big issue has just been underwhelming play-it-safe ballads, so I hope they go for something a little upbeat.
I don’t know why, but I just want to see Petra!