Back in July last year, it was announced that Malta will not have another season of X Factor Malta in 2021. Instead, Malta’s Got Talent would take its spot. However, it was recently revealed that X Factor Malta would return after all. Despite this U-turn, the Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency has taken to Facebook to reveal that PBS will opt for a separate national final to select their Eurovision 2022 entry.
Despite the revival of X Factor Malta for 2021 being confirmed, the format will not be used to select the island nation’s Eurovision 2022 entry. Via his Facebook, Jason Micallef, the Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency, stated that the Maltese broadcaster is returning to a separate selection for Eurovision.
It is fitting to commend the wise decision of the new management of PBS, that with immediate effect, the representation of Malta in the next edition of Eurovision, will be through a specially staged festival, and not the winner of X Factor Malta.
I am convinced that this news will be received with great satisfaction by all Maltese singers, authors and composers.
Jason Micallef, The Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency
X Factor Malta was used to select Michela Pace back in 2019, who was then succeeded by Destiny Chukunyere in 2020. Prior to this, the Malta Eurovision Song Contest had been held with an open submissions process for singers to compete for the ticket to Eurovision. The last Maltese entry the public selected was Christabelle with “Taboo” back in 2018.
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.
Following the cancellation of the 2020 contest, Destiny was reselected with another internally-selected entry, “Je Me Casse”. She ended up getting Malta’s best result in Eurovision since 2005, placing 7th with 255 points.
Are you looking forward to the return of a Maltese national final? Who would you like to see take part? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!
