The first round of the Judges Houses portion of took place last night for X Factor Malta. Ira Losco and Ray Mercieca whittled the remaining six acts in the Girls and Boys category to just three.
Both X Factor Judges had helped from previous X Factor UK participants. Ira Losco was helped by the winner of the twelfth series of X Factor UK, Louisa Johnson and Ray Mercieca were helped by Amelia Lily who placed third in the eighth series of X Factor UK.
Destiny is through to the live shows!
2015 Junior Eurovision Song Contest winner Destiny Chukunyere is one of the lucky three that have made it through in the girl’s category. For her judges houses performance, Destiny sang ‘A Man’s World’, which guest judge Louisa Johnson performed, during her stint in X Factor UK.
After her judges’ houses performance, Destiny had a positive reception from both Ira and Louisa. With Louisa complimenting Destiny on knowing who she is as an artist. Whilst Ira mentions that the trick with Destiny is to keep challenging her.
Destiny will be joined by Justine Shorfid, who sang ‘Crazy in Love’ by Beyonce for her performance. After her performance, Louisa said that ‘when she looks at you, you can’t look away’, whilst Ira said ‘You need people who mean what they sing’.
Rounding up the top three is Jasmine Abela. For her judges’ houses performance, where she sang ‘Price Tag’ by Jessie J. After her performance, Ira complimented the fact that Jasmine was able to bring something different to the table, whilst Louisa liked the fact that she knows herself.
A variety of talent from the Boys!
After obtaining a standing ovation in the six-chair challenge, Dav Jr, managed to impress the judges once again. For his judges’ houses performance, he sang an original composition. His performance left Amelia and Ray speechless.
The next person through to the live shows is Kyle Cutajar, who performed ‘Lay Me Down’ by Sam Smith and managed to give an emotive performance. Amelia commented on his vocals and even complimented him on his ‘set of lungs’ and the maturity with his vocals for his age.
Rounding off the Top 3 is Karl Schembri who performed ‘Con Te Partiro’ by Andrea Bocelli. His interpretation of the piece, got Amelia emotional, for which he received a standing ovation from her and a hug. In addition, Amelia even commented that she has never heard someone sang the song the way Karl did and deliver.
The Judges houses for X Factor Malta continues on the 29th December, where we will find out the Top 3 from the Groups and the Overs.
Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest
Malta first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 with Joe Grech and his song, “Marija I-Malitja”, which finished in last place with 52 points. They also finished last on their second attempt in the contest in 1972. After a third appearance in 1975, Malta withdrew from the contest until 1991, when they returned and finished in sixth place with 106 points.
Since their return in 1991, Malta has finished in the top three on four occasions – Mary Spiteri with “Little Child” in 1992 and Chiara with “The One That I Love” in 1998 which both finished in third place, and also Ira Losco with “7th Wonder” in 2002 and Chiara with “Angel” in 2005, which both finished in second place. Malta has not yet won the contest, however.
In 2019, Malta qualified for the first time since 2016 with Michela’s “Chameleon”. The song was the first Maltese entry to not be selected using a national final since 1971. The song went on to finish 14th in the Grand Final in Tel Aviv with 107 points.
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