The semi-final of X Factor Malta took place tonight, with the six remaining acts competing for four places in next week’s final.
There were two rounds of voting in tonight’s show. In the first round, the theme was “Big Band” and the six acts perfomed with a live band. The act with the lowest number of votes would then leave the competition.
The results of the first round were:
- Bloodline – “Diamonds Are Forever”
- Kyle Cutajar – “Feelin’ Good”
- Destiny Chukunyere – “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”
- Yazmin & James – “Fever” – Eliminated
- F.A.I.T.H – “Candyman”
- Justine Shorfid – “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
For the second round, the five remaining acts had to sing a different song under the theme “Jukebox”. The act with the lowest number of votes was then eliminated.
The results of the second round were:
- Bloodline – “Euphoria” – Eliminated
- Kyle Cutajar – “River”
- Destiny Chukunyere – “This Is Me”
- F.A.I.T.H – “Runnin’ (Lose It All)”
- Justine Shorfid – “Spirit”
Both acts eliminated tonight, Yazmin & James and Bloodline, were part of Ray Mercieca’s Groups Category. Up until tonight’s show, Ray was the only judge to have all three of his acts still in the competition.
The four finalists of X Factor Malta 2020 are:
The Groups Category
- FAITH – Five Are In The House
The Girls Category
- Justine Shorfid
- Destiny Chukunyere
The Boys Category
- Kyle Cutajar
This is the second time that Malta are using the show X Factor Malta as their selection process for choosing the artist to represent them at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2019, Michela Pace won the show’s first season earning her the right to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv. Her song “Chameleon” finished in 14th place, the first Maltese entry in the grand final since Ira Losco in 2016.
Source: X Factor Malta
Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest
Malta debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 and was represented by Joe Grech and the song “Marija L-Maltija”, which finished last. Malta competed again in 1972 and 1975 but then withdrew until their return in 1991. During the 1990s Malta only once finished outside of the top 10, and in 1998 they came within just 7 points of victory. It was Chiara who brought the country their 3rd place finish in 1998, and who went on to finish in 2nd at the 2005 contest in Kyiv. The only other artist to finish 2nd for Malta is Ira Losco, who was 12 points away from victory in 2002. They are the longest participating country never to have won the Eurovision Song Contest.
