[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CULTURE]

18 clusters · 101 sources · 85 days · First seen · Last updated

X Factor Italy 2026: Live Shows and Finalists Selected

Overview

The 20th season of X Factor Italy premiered on September 10, 2026, hosted by Giorgia. The judging panel features Francesco Gabbani, Jake La Furia, Paola Iezzi, and newcomer Irama. To mark the milestone, Sky renewed a three-year partnership with Trenitalia, unveiling a custom-liveried ‘Regionale’ train at Milan Porta Garibaldi station. The Auditions phase concluded in late September, highlighted by performances from the Genoese trio Le Distanze, as well as artists Vito Damiano and Angela. This phase also saw scrutiny regarding the duo Sad Twins, who made comments regarding judge Paola Iezzi’s age. Following the Auditions, the Bootcamp stage began on October 1 at the Allianz Cloud in Milan. To advance to the ‘Last Call’ phase, contestants required unanimous approval from all four judges via green cards. If the jury was divided, judges would debate to reach a consensus; however, a single red card resulted in elimination. Each judge also held an ‘X Pass’ to override rejections and move artists directly to the next stage or their specific team. The competition transitioned to the Live Shows phase on October 22 at the Teatro Repower in Assago, featuring 12 finalists divided into four teams. The premiere included a special performance by Marco Mengoni, who performed an exclusive set including ‘Cambia un uomo’, ‘Luce’, and a cover of John Lennon’s ‘Jealous Guy’. A new mechanic, the ‘Škoda X Pass,’ allows host Giorgia to select two previously eliminated artists from the ‘Last Call’ phase to compete for a single spot via a public flash televote. In the first episode, Timothée Bonnardel and Teo Bok competed; Teo Bok won and rejoined Francesco Gabbani’s team. Following the first round of heats, Alice Fregoso was eliminated via a judges' vote after a showdown with Veronica Bruganelli.

Entities

X Factor · Irama · Giorgia · Francesco Gabbani · Paola Iezzi

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    X Factor 2026: Teo Bok returns via X Pass as first contestant eliminated

    The first live show of X Factor 2026 saw Teo Bok return via an X Pass, while Alice Fregoso was eliminated. Judge Paola Iezzi also addressed female independence during the broadcast.

  2. [CULTURE] 25 sources
    X Factor 2026: First Live Show features elimination and comeback

    The first Live Show of X Factor 2026 saw Alice Fregoso eliminated, while Teo Bok returned to the competition via Giorgia's X Pass. Marco Mengoni appeared as a special guest performer.

  3. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    X Factor contestants advance to Live stages

    Contestants Scraffs and Veronica Bruganelli have advanced to the Live stages of X Factor, joining the teams of Francesco Gabbani and Jake La Furia, respectively.

  4. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    X Factor 2026 announces twelve contestants for Live Shows

    Twelve contestants have been selected for the X Factor 2026 Live Shows in Milan, following high-rated selection episodes on Sky Uno that saw a 20% audience increase year-over-year.

  5. [CULTURE] 23 sources
    X Factor 2026 selects 12 finalists for Live Shows

    X Factor 2026 has selected its 12 Live Show finalists. Teams led by Gabbani, Irama, Jake La Furia, and Paola Iezzi will begin competing on October 22 in Milan.

  6. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    X Factor 2026 shifts focus toward contestants amid judging tensions

    X Factor 2026 is transitioning to a more contestant-centered, less confrontational format, though recent tensions between judges Jake La Furia and Paola Iezzi have emerged during the Bootcamp stage.

  7. [CULTURE] 13 sources
    X Factor 2026 concludes Bootcamp phase with final selections

    X Factor 2026 concludes its Bootcamp phase on October 8, with contestants competing for spots in the Last Call via judge unanimous votes and the strategic use of X Passes.

  8. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    X Factor 2026 Bootcamps feature emotional performances and mixed results

    During the X Factor 2026 Bootcamps, contestant Paola earned a perfect score, while Stefano Camuffo's emotional performance of an Alex Baroni song led to a poignant moment for judge Giorgia before his exit.

  9. [CULTURE] 10 sources
    X Factor 2026 Bootcamp begins October 1 in Milan

    X Factor 2026 begins its Bootcamp stage on October 1 in Milan, where judges must reach a unanimous decision to advance artists to the Last Call phase.

  10. [CULTURE] 18 sources
    X Factor 2026 concludes Auditions phase with final selection episode

    The Auditions phase of X Factor 2026 concludes on September 24, with contestants vying for a spot in the upcoming Bootcamps before a jury of four judges.

  11. [CULTURE] 7 sources
    X Factor Italy judges face scrutiny over performance and style

    The latest X Factor auditions highlight shifting dynamics among judges, focusing on the balance between musical critique and television entertainment.

  12. [CULTURE] 10 sources
    X Factor Italy 2026 enters second audition episode

    X Factor Italy's 2026 season continues with its second audition episode. The judging panel features Giorgia as host, alongside Irama, Francesco Gabbani, Jake La Furia, and defending champion Paola Iezzi.

  13. [CULTURE] 18 sources
    X Factor launches 20th season in Italy with Trenitalia partnership

    X Factor returns for its 20th season in Italy with a new jury including Irama. Trenitalia has renewed its partnership, featuring branded trains to support contestants and engage younger audiences.

  14. [CULTURE] 20 sources
    X Factor returns for 20th season with new judge Irama

    X Factor returns for its 20th season on September 10, featuring new judge Irama, host Giorgia, and a judging panel including Francesco Gabbani, Jake La Furia, and Paola Iezzi.

  15. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    X Factor Italy: Season highlights and 2026 judging panel

    X Factor Italy highlights include the 2016 victory of Soul System and preparations for the 2026 season featuring judges Francesco Gabbani, Irama, Jake La Furia, and Paola Iezzi.

  16. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    X Factor 2026 set to premiere on September 10

    X Factor 2026 is set to premiere on September 10, featuring Giorgia as host and Irama joining the judging panel in place of Achille Lauro.

  17. [CULTURE] 7 sources
    Irama joins X Factor 2026 judging panel

    Singer Irama joins the judging panel for X Factor 2026, alongside Francesco Gabbani, Jake La Furia, and Paola Iezzi, with Giorgia returning as host. The season premieres September 10 on Sky and NOW.

  18. [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Sky unveils X Factor 2026 promo starring host Giorgia and four judges

    Sky released the X Factor 2026 promo featuring host Giorgia and judges Gabbani, Irama, Jake La Furia and Paola Iezzi, kicking off the countdown to the 10 September premiere.

Sources

adginforma.it · adnKronos.com · affaritaliani.it · alfemminile.com · allmusicitalia.it · ameve.eu · askanews.it · assodigitale.it · biccy.it · bigodino.it · billboard.it · cagliarilivemagazine.it · cagliarilivetv.it · calabrianews.it · canaledieci.it · cedib.org · cn24tv.it · corcianonline.it · corrierenazionale.it · cpop.it · crotoneok.it · digital-news.it · dilei.it · diregiovani.it · domanipress.it · donnaglamour.it · espressione24.it · fanpage.it · forchecaudine.it · gaeta.it · genovatoday.it · globalist.it · gogomagazine.it · gossipblog.it · huffingtonpost.it · ilgazzettinodigela.it · ilponte.com · ilpubblicista.it · imusicfun.it · inliberta.it · iodonna.it · join.com · lacronaca24.it · lamilano.it · LaStampa.it · lecodellitorale.it · leichic.it · lifestyleblog.it

This summary has been updated 27 times: see revision history