X Factor (Italian TV series)

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X Factor Italia is an Italian television show and singing competition, based on the British TV programme The X Factor, and part of The X Factor franchise, created by Simon Cowell. The show's first series premiered on 10 March 2008 and was broadcast by Rai Due, but since its fifth series, launched on 20 October 2011, it moved to Sky Uno, becoming the first version of the franchise to be broadcast by a pay television channel.^[1][2]

Each series of the show sees amateur singers of all ages and backgrounds auditioning in front of a panel of judges, selected for their role in the Italian or international music industry. Through several selection stages, each judge chooses a set of singers to mentor. Selected singers later compete on live shows, with a public vote eliminating these contestants one by one, until the final winner is declared.

X Factor was initially presented by Francesco Facchinetti (series 1–series 4). Alessandro Cattelan was the show's presenter from series 5 to series 14, followed by Ludovico Tersigni (series 15), Francesca Michielin (series 16 and series 17) and Giorgia (series 18).

The show launched the career of several popular Italian singers, including Giusy Ferreri (series 1), Noemi (series 2), Marco Mengoni (series 3), Francesca Michielin (series 5), Chiara Galiazzo and Mahmood (series 6), Michele Bravi (series 7), Lorenzo Fragola (series 8), Enrico Nigiotti and Måneskin (series 11).

Color key

Annotations

• ¹ Daniela Collu presented the second and third live show of X Factor series 14, replacing Alessandro Cattelan, who tested positive to COVID-19.^[3]
• ² Morgan was fired after the fourth live show of the seventeenth series of X Factor for «inappropriate behaviors», and was not replaced by any other judge for the last three episodes of the show.^[4]
• ³ Asia Argento served as a judge on the pre-recorded selection stages of the twelfth series of X Factor, but was replaced by Lodo Guenzi for the live shows, following allegations that Argento sexually assaulted actor Jimmy Bennett.^[5]

Key:

  – Winning judge/category. Winners are in bold, eliminated contestants in small font.

In the first edition held in the period 10 March 2008 to 27 May 2008, Morgan's contestants (Vocal Groups) were labelled "pastel green contestants", Simona's contestants (25+ years) the "pink contestants" and Mara's (16–24 years) the "pastel blue contestants"

The second season was held between 25 November 2008 and 19 April 2009. The three judges were the same as the first series line-up. Simona Ventura mentored the "16-24s", Morgan the "25 and Overs" and Mara Maionchi the Groups. The winner was Matteo Becucci from the 25 and over category.

In the third edition from 16 June 2009 until 2 December 2009, the judge Simona Ventura was replaced by Claudia Mori. Morgan's contestants (16–24 years) were dubbed the "blue contestants", Claudia Mori's contestants (25+ years) the "orange" and Mara Maionchi's category of the Vocal Groups, the "red contestants".

The A&K, Mara's group, were formed by Andrea and Chiara (Kiara). However, Chiara was later disqualified from the show because of a regulation prohibiting the sons/daughters of RAI employees from entering the show, in this case, Chiara's Mother. She was replaced by Daniele Vit.

From that year there are four categories with the respective judges:

• Mara Maionchi (16-24 Boys)
• Anna Tatangelo (16-24 Girls)
• Elio (25 +)
• Enrico Ruggeri (Vocal Groups)

The fifth season of X Factor was televised from 20 October 2011 to 5 January 2012. For the first time, it was broadcast by Sky Uno HD, rather than Rai 2. The auditions were held from 5 July to 12 September 2011.

The sixth season of X Factor started on 20 September 2012. It is broadcast live by Sky Uno HD, and a short version recorded broadcast on free digital TV Cielo.

The seventh season of X Factor started on 26 September 2013. It is broadcast live by Sky Uno HD.

The eight season of X Factor started on 18 September 2014. It is broadcast live by Sky Uno HD.

The ninth season of X Factor started on 10 September 2015. It is broadcast live by Sky Uno HD.

The tenth season of X Factor started on 22 September 2016. It was broadcast live by Sky Uno HD, and a recorded version was broadcast on free digital channel TV8.

The eleventh season of X Factor started on 14 September 2017. It is broadcast live by Sky Uno HD, and a recorded version is broadcast on free digital channel TV8. The season finale, aired on 14 December 2017, marked the victory of Lorenzo Licitra against Måneskin and became the most viewed Italian X Factor live show ever.

The twelfth season of X Factor started on 6 September 2018. It was broadcast live by Sky Uno HD, and a recorded version was broadcast on free digital channel TV8. The final episode of the season, aired on both Sky Uno HD and TV8, was won by Anastasio. This marked Mara Maionchi's second victory in a row.

This season also featured Asia Argento as a judge before she was fired after being accused of sexual misconduct by actor Jimmy Bennett.^[6]

The thirteenth season of X Factor started on 12 September 2019. It was broadcast live by Sky Uno HD, and a recorded version was broadcast on free digital channel TV8.

The fourteenth season of X Factor started on 17 September 2020. It was broadcast live by Sky Uno HD and a recorded version was broadcast on free digital channel TV8. The final episode of the season, aired on both Sky Uno HD and TV8, was won by Casadilego. This marked Hell Raton's first victory.

The fifteenth season of X Factor started on 16 September 2021 and concluded on 9 December with Baltimora being the winner, marking the second and final victory for Hell Raton.

The sixteenth season of X Factor started on 15 September 2022 and concluded on 8 December with Santi Francesi winning, marking the only victory for Rkomi.

The seventeenth season of X Factor started on 14 September 2023, and concluded on 7 December with Sarafine winning, marking the second win for Fedez.

Following the fourth live show, Morgan would be fired as judge following inappropriate behavior towards production and fellow judges. This would mark the second time in the show's history of a judge being fired mid-season.

The eighteenth season of X Factor started on 12 September 2024, and concluded on 5 December with Mimì Caruso winning, marking the first win for Manuel Agnelli.

This season, mentor Achille Lauro became the first judge in the history of the show to bring three acts to the final.

• Official website