X Factor (Italian TV series)
X Factor Italia is a TV show that airs on prime time in Italy. The singing competition is the Italian version of Britain's The X Factor. As of Season 16, it is currently hosted by Francesca Michielin. Francesco Facchinetti hosted the show's first four seasons before being replaced by Alessandro Cattelan for Season 5 up to Season 14 before being replaced by Ludovico Tersigni for one season. While the first four seasons were aired on Rai Due, the second channel of Italian public television service, at the moment the show is broadcast on Sky Uno, the main channel of Sky Italy. The judges, who all belong to the Italian and international music or television world, were 3 from Season 1 to Season 3 (when the categories were: Groups, 16–24, 25+). Since Season 4, the 16-24 category was split into two parts (Boys and Girls), following the British example, therefore the judges became 4. The programme's success is witnessed by the number of singers who became famous after the show. Among the others we can notice Giusy Ferreri from Season 1, Noemi from Season 2, Marco Mengoni from Season 3, Ruggero Pasquarelli from Season 4, Francesca Michielin from Season 5, Chiara Galiazzo, Mahmood and Le Donatella from Season 6, Michele Bravi from Season 7, Lorenzo Fragola and Madh from Season 8, Enrico Nigiotti and Måneskin from Season 11. Host & Judges Series summary Act in Mara's Category Act in Morgan's Category Act in Simona's Category Act in Claudia's Category Act in Elio's Category Act in Enrico's Category Act in Arisa's Category Act in Mika's Category Act in Victoria's Category Act in Fedez's Category Act in Skin's Category Act in Alvaro's Category Act in Manuel's Category Act in Lodo's Category Act in Samuel's Category Act in Malika's Category Act in Sfera's Category Act in Emma's Category Act in Hell's Category Act in Ambra's Category Act in Dargen's Category Act in Rkomi's Category Contestants, categories and judges Key: – Winning judge/category. Winners are in bold, eliminated contestants in small font. First season (2008) 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" Second season (2008-2009) 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. Third season (2009) 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