X-Factor Malta semi-final round up

Petra, Michela, Nicole and Owen have all qualified for the grand final of X-Factor Malta. This is the first time that the Maltese broadcaster decided to use this format, and it is proving to be so popular, there is already a series 2.

4 people exited the competition at this very late stage, which is a twist on the UK format. However, Alexandra Alden, who mentored the groups, was, sadly, the first to loose all of her acts, with 2 groups exiting the competition last week.

Owen was the first of the acts to sing tonight. He is in the boys category, which is being mentored by Eurovision alumni Ira Losco. Rap is what Owen does best so the judges rightly pointed out that he felt at home singing Gangsta’s paradise 

Ben Purplle was up next. He is in the overs category which is being mentored by Ray. He received high praise from all judges other than Alexandra. She carefully pointed out that this was not his best performance, and that the song he song, Pretty Woman, would have been better with a band behind him singing it. 

Third was consistent Powerhouse Nicole Frendo, and in the girls category she is being mentored by Howard Keith Debono. As Nicole started singing Skyfall, the audience erupted, and the judges had a lot of high praise for her. 

Next was Norbert, who is another of Ira’s acts. He sung Never Enough from The Greatest Showman. Alexandra felt that this is where Norbert belongs, singing music like this. 

Up next was Michela Pace singing I don’t want to miss a thing. All the way through this competition, she has been consistent with her powerhouse singing, and tonight was no exception. 

Luke Chappell was up next singing Heathens from the film Suicide Squad. He did a great job singing this song as it was out of his comfort zone.

Kelsey was the next up as a member of Howard’s group and she sung Pray for me. This was her weakest performance of the entire competition, and it was noted.

Petra sung We don’t need another hero. Again, all of the judges were full of praise for her. Alexandra felt that Petra was getting the message across well that she came into the competition with, and her own mentor. Ray stated that she has the X-Factor. 2 are straight out tonight due to the low number of finalists.  

Each act had to perform a second time round to prove themselves worthy of a place in the final. The judges are selecting the 2 people to go home.

Through to the finals are: Petra (Ray), Michela (Howard), Nicole Frendo (Howard), Owen (Ira)

Straight Out are: Ben Purplle, Kelsey Ballante, Norbert

Bottom two: Luke and Owen

Voted out are:

Ray: Luke

Alexandra: Owen

Howard: Owen

Ira: Luke

Second successive week of deadlock. This meant that Luke went home after deadlock placed him in the bottom four of the leaderboard.

Ira was made to cast a vote against one of her own participants as the bottom two participants were both in her category.