The semi-final of the X Factor Malta 2020 was held last night, and with it the final four acts were selected. Destiny Chukunyere, girl group F.A.I.T.H, Justine Shorfid and Kyle Cutajar will be heading to the grand final next Saturday — and one of them will also represent Malta at Eurovision 2020.

The semi-final had a big-band theme and the final six acts all performed with a live swing band. But in the end, only four could make it to next week’s grand final. We said goodbye to vocal duo Bloodline and the telegenic pair Yazmin & James.

And that leaves us with the four acts who will be heading to the grand final.

Destiny Chukunyere

Destiny is a 17-year-old from the town of Birkirkara. She will be most familiar as the winner of Junior Eurovision 2015, giving Malta its second JESC win. Destiny also performed at Eurovision 2019 — she was Michela’s backing singer, supporting the “Chameleon” singer off stage. In this week’s show, Destiny glammed up for a rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from the Dream Girls musical.

F.A.I.T.H

Five Are In The House — or F.A.I.T.H — are a five-piece girl group. The group is made up of Chanelle Zarb, Demi Galea, Ema Vella, Megan Caruana and Maya Sesay. They have amassed a sizable local fan following and have ended the X Factor Malta “curse of the groups”. This week they performed Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman”.

Justine Shorfid

Aged just 16, Justine is the youngest contestant of the X Factor Malta. Eurovision fans may remember Justine from Malta’s national final to select its Junior Eurovision 2016 act. Like Destiny, Justine’s speciality is big soul numbers, but Justine brings more of a mature edginess to her performances. This week she performed Aretha Franklin’s classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”.

Kyle Cutajar

Kyle tried his luck in the contest last year, but didn’t make it past Judges Houses. Now the 18-year-old is back with more experience under his belt. His smooth musical-style voice has won him many fans and meant he was a perfect match for this week’s big-band theme. This week, Kyle performed Nina Simone’s classic “Feeling Good”.

Who is your favourite act to win X Factor Malta – and represent Malta at Eurovision 2020?

But who do you want to win X Factor Malta and go on to represent Malta at Eurovision 2020? 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=10500128]

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.

Read more X Factor Malta news

31 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Odette Cutajar
Odette Cutajar
4 years ago

F.A.I.T.H amazing girl group xx

Louise caruana
Louise caruana
4 years ago

You re amazing FAITH….a very well talented 5 girls…….can t wait to see you perform next saturday!!You shine on stage…..keep on shinning…good luck!!

Nuna
Nuna
4 years ago

All are good that’s why they are in the final! My fav is the group F.A.I.T.H! Young and fresh (ages 15-17), they are very versatile and vocally very talented! Something different for Malta! Good luck to all!

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

Destiny or bye Malta …

Isa
Isa
4 years ago

Well, if screaming instead of singing is a synonym of talent, then go ahead, bleed Europe’s ears! 🙂

TheVigilente
TheVigilente
4 years ago

The mamas are not in Sweden ?
btw https://youtu.be/3U5pW_dembA?t=71

finnished
finnished
4 years ago

I think it’s obvious that who should win and who will win. I just hope that she will get a song as incredible as her singing skills.

Angelika
Angelika
4 years ago

Destiny can win Eurovision 2020 with a good song

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

Who was in the bottom 3 out of these 4 though ?

miguel
miguel
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

no one. there were 6 acts and the two which got the lowest votes were immediately eliminated.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
4 years ago

Well I agree that Destiny is the obvious choice but it’s not as if she is just famous because she’s famous, she won JESC which is a huge deal in Malta, and she provided backing vocals for Michela last year. She is destined for stardom and it was clear from the start that the DAY she turned 16 she was gonna try to represent Malta. Oh, and on top of that, she is an amazing singer as well.

pp77
pp77
4 years ago

We all know before begining of show, that Destiny is winner of X factor.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
4 years ago

Destiny all the way!! But I have a feeling that the Maltese and judges want Justine to win. What ever happens I hope they will send a good song to ESC

Jake
Jake
4 years ago

this has been a sham from the beginning…Destiny will win…was always going to win…I feel bad for all other contestants….and Symphonix has already been commissioned for another modern gospel-type song like Cesar Sampson (he’s probably involved)….so you know the fix was always in cause that type of song was always going to work for her voice more than any other contestants

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

Well, it’s clear to me that Destiny stands out in this final. My concern is that finding a song in her style without limiting her is a difficult task. And that’s why I don’t like when broadcasters use reality competitions to pick an Eurovision act. One thing is to be the best vocalist and build a local fanbase between TV viewers week after week. Other very different is to show an especial connection to a song and sell it in 3 minutes for an international audience. But I hope Malta succeeds. They’ve been working hard.

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

Sorry, I see it as a process. Destiny earned her dues by winning JESC and then providing background vocals last year. She served Malta, and now Malta should lift her up to the next level in her career.

Pineaple
Pineaple
4 years ago

I have nothing against Destiny at all. She seems lovely but I voted for everyone other than her. There are some really great artists in this competition yet right from the start fans and the media have been acting as if Destiny is the only act there which is really unfair on the other acts. I know it isn’t likely but I would like Kyle to win. It would be nice to see a man represent Malta for a change. With an epic ballad I think he could really go places.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

Destiny, of course. (Sorry to disagree with Edd.)
The other artists are all very good of course, and they will all have their own time ahead. But really Destiny is almost too good at the moment. I’m jealous of that power vocal.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

We all know who. We all know why. Give her a proper soul ballad and Malta are looking at back-to-back qualifications for sure.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

The real issue is the song. Have they bought it already? Would it be the same regardless of who wins? Even with Destiny winning, a good entry is not guaranteed if they buy another anonymous mash-up.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

I’m pretty sure they did the song last year for Michela after she won. If Destiny wins, for example, I’m sure they will give her a song suited to her.

Edd Keith
Edd Keith
4 years ago

Would be great to have some variety and see a girlband anthem at Eurovision – and FAITH really have excellent vocals and great chemistry! Destiny is great by Maltese standards, although up against acts from countries where there is a prominent soul music scene, I fear she would come across a bit cruise ship-singer-ish in comparison. There’s just a certain rawness missing… that maybe will come with age.

Isa
Isa
4 years ago
Reply to  Edd Keith

Edd, thank you for your honest opinion! 🙂

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

um well they say destiny is the clear winner but i’m not too sure bout her eurovision success, she seems to be quite unidirectional with her music, and i feel she’s gonna get a horrid funk-ish song a la what’s the pressure. justice for CELINE btw

Sale
Sale
4 years ago

I hope she gets a strong ballad

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

um what’s the pressure was a certified bop and that’s that

Laburnum
Laburnum
4 years ago

How dare you disrespect What’s The Pressure that was an absolute bop 😀

lol
lol
4 years ago

Destiny is the obvious choice lol

keith mawson
keith mawson
4 years ago
Reply to  lol

Only Choice really. Justine is just very awkward on stage. Crindgy even. The Guy sounds good he could do a nice power ballad or rock.

Jai
Jai
4 years ago

Destiny has such an amazing voice! She could win with the right song .

Mako
Mako
4 years ago
Reply to  Jai

In addition to her voice, she also has an incredible presence on stage and succeeds in captivating the attention. And those are things the other candidates don’t really have. Destiny really deserves victory.