It’s the popular talent show franchise that has selected Malta’s past two Eurovision stars. Now it has been confirmed that X Factor Malta will return for a third series. But there’s no word yet on whether it will have a Eurovision connection.
The news was confirmed with updates to X Factor Malta social media accounts. On Instagram, a new image was posted reading, “X Factor Malta is back. Season 03”.
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There are scant details about what form the new series will take. We’re still to learn of the application process, the judges and hosts or the broadcast dates. And broadcaster TVM has not confirmed if the new series of X Factor Malta will again be used to select Malta’s act for Eurovision 2022. However, the accompanying post also says “more info out soon”.
While TVM could theoretically also hold a Eurovision national final, it seems unlikely that the broadcaster would have the budget for two big music shows happening at the same time.
The X Factor and Malta’s Eurovision rebirth
Malta began its own version of the popular television talent show franchise in 2018. The series also doubled as the selection of Malta’s Eurovision act — and after several years of disappointing results, the X Factor kicked off Malta’s Eurovision rebirth.
The first series of the X Factor Malta was used to select Malta’s act for Eurovision 2019. From 12 finalists — including some familiar faces from Malta’s previous national finals — 18-year-old singer Michela Pace won the first series.
She went on to sing “Chameleon” at Eurovision 2019, with Destiny Chukunyere providing off-stage backing vocals. Michela went on to place 14th in the grand final — ending Malta’s non-qualification streak and giving the country one of its best Eurovision results since the mid 2000s.
The following year, Destiny Chukunyere was a hot favourite to win the second series — and that she did, delivering plenty of stand-out performances. Destiny was due to sing “All of My Love” at the cancelled Eurovision 2020, and returned with “Je me casse” at Eurovision 2021.
Despite high hopes that Destiny could give Malta its first Eurovision win, Destiny finished seventh in the grand final. However, this result is Malta’s best Eurovision result since 2005. And that success may be why Malta is sticking with the X Factor.
The first two series of the show were presented by Ben Camille. The show was overseen by the expert judging panel of music manager Howard Keith Debono, rocker Ray Mercieca, singer-songwriter Alexandra Alden and Maltese Eurovision icon Ira Losco.
What do you think? Should Malta use the X Factor to select its Eurovision act for 2022? Who would you like to see in the contest? Sound off in the comments section below.
Pleaaase send something ethnic for once Malta, since everyone has done it, it means it’s a trend (kinda) so, if you STILL follow trends you should try that one
They dont do it. The reason is that one of the minds of xfactor anton attard use xfactor fir his personal gain. I ask, why malta never learned from past years and stop using foreign choreographers dancers designers songwriters and so on. I agree with you something ethnic and also some maltese language, like tribali.
Whoever wins this, the key ingredient here is the song, and this is where Malta has a problem. They’ve grown accustomed to rely on bought songs written by Bulgarian or Swedish pop mercenaries, and if 2021 taught us anything is that this type of music is no longer a hot commodity in Eurovision. Malta has to find its own voice if they want to do well and even win. It worked for Iceland in the last two contests, and they have even fewer people than in Malta. It’s about finding and cultivating local talent. Malta can’t beat Sweden in its… Read more »
this format has made Malta successful in the sense of returning to the final. I don;t like the idea of buying music from Swedes though. Having Destiny go through this process was idiotic, we all knew she was going to win, she is a great vocalist and already a known name in Malta. What’s the point of having this format if you have known artists? X Factor is about unknown singers taking the spotlight. Anyway, i would have preferred a national final… hopefully they won’t place fake bets on the Maltese entry in 2021. Interesting how the music videos of… Read more »
Whoever they pick to represent them will be put under immense strain and will be totally manipulated by the delegation and moulded into something they very clearly are not, while they outsource everything else to Sweden.
Not to mention the chosen act will be facing the public’s wrath after the fake betting scandal.
I really hope the Maltese delegation have learned from the past and will change things up.
this seems like they are hedging their bets…my take is that they are going to ask Destiny again…and if she says no then they will make an announcement that the winner of X Factor will represent them…every season of X Factor announcements, the Eurovision representation was baked in the release…this year, it’s not…so something is definitely up
They didn’t confirm that the winner of Season 2 would represent Malta until the shows began to air.
once they had Destiny enter and knew she was the inevitable winner given her huge name recognition in the country and talent…her win once she agreed to be on the show was never in question
Honestly, I doubt Destiny will return next year. She was put under so much pressure to win by the Maltese broadcaster, which was so unfair for an 18 year old. I’d like to see Destiny return in a few more years with a better song.
Any act will have the consequences of the fake betting scandal this year. Not many people will bet on something that can have a fake hype
It will probably be used again for select Malta’s act for 2022. Since there is no news about their previous national final returning, this seems likely.
Maybe they are reflecting if this is really a good method. It seems to me that is not, as you need something more to show for than just have an amazing voice.
Pssst…use Muzika Muzika for your Eurovision act. It would be so good to send something in Maltese for once!
They better keep Muzika Muzika alive or else it would be like they revamped it for nothing
Malta have to realize that they have the literal exact same problem as the UK and Ireland: singing in English doesn’t make them special anymore, and they aren’t sending songs as good(?) as 7th Wonder or Angel to compensate. They’re just doing what everyone else is doing. This year was pretty damning proof that going against the grain is what gets you results, not trying to stick to a formula. Muzika Muzika would force them to go with something more in line with what Maltese people ACTUALLY listen to, and it’ll stand out among the competition.
It’s interesting that essentially almost a third of the still active X Factor franchises in Europe are just used as a Eurovision selection now haha.
Tbh this is a good way searching for new talents to represent your country in Eurovision. And for sure the ones that will win a competition like that have amazing vocals