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X Factor 2026 towards the Bootcamps, the last round of Auditions. PHOTO
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Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Last round of Auditions for the aspiring competitors, who competed in front of the judges Paola Iezzi, Jake La Furia, Irama and Francesco Gabbani. Between groups and soloists, classic songs and reinterpretations, as well as a true hymn to freedom, the evening's performances sparked applause and standing ovations. XF2026 awaits you every Thursday in prime time on Sky Uno and streaming on NOW
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1/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Angela Cotterle, 26, from Trieste, took to the stage with anxiety, which she usually tries to mitigate by jumping on the spot, shaking her arms and making liberating sounds. Furthermore, he paints “catastrophic” paintings in acrylic, such as storms, hail and fires. On the guitar he played the song General by Francesco De Gregori. Standing ovation from Francesco Gabbani and Irama included! The competitor was moved. “A shocking performance,” said the first. "You gave me goosebumps. You have something special," added the second. He received 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026, standing ovation in the second episode of Auditions. PHOTO
2/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Lorenzo Cutuli, 17 years old, studies and is passionate about scenic arts, such as theater and musicals (so far he has only played Phoebus in Notre-Dame de Paris). He described his look as artistic flair. He then sang the song Gloria by Umberto Tozzi. Despite the competitor's sympathy, Paola Iezzi and Francesco Gabbani said no, while Irama and Jake La Furia gave an encouraging yes. Lorenzo, therefore, did not continue the race.
X Factor 2026, rhythm and emotions in the first episode of Audition. PHOTO
3/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Alessandro Davide Fontana, aka Alex Fontana, 27 years old, from Secondigliano (Naples), is a courier for dental practices and wanted to go and live in America. Since he was traveling with giant suitcases, but only had a tourist visa, he was sent back by the police. At 18 he received a song from a girl on Facebook, and from there he decided to sing. He performed on Lenny Kravitz's song Dirty White Boots. “You amazed me,” said Francesco Gabbani. The 3 yes votes from Jake La Furia, Paola Iezzi and Francesco Gabbani prevailed over Irama's no.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Mattia's friendliness and skill. VIDEO
4/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
“It's a train I've been waiting for for a long time,” said Sara Bronzini, 31, who is also a singer, but doesn't make a living from music, which she however teaches. “The life I have now is not enough for me,” he said. After participating in various competitions, everything was played at XF. He sang the song A smile inside the cry, written by Francesco Gabbani and performed by Ornella Vanoni. After the standing ovation, she became emotional. “I would have liked to feel that broken soul,” said Paola Iezzi. Francesco Gabbani said yes, but she, Jake La Furia and Irama said no.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Patrizia convinces judges and dad. VIDEO
5/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Chiara Ludovica Giorgi, aka Claude, chose the unpublished Larghi. “You have a pen with one of his poems,” said Francesco Gabbani. “For me you are a monster,” added Paola Iezzi. He received a no from Irama, but 3 yeses from Jake La Furia, Paola Iezzi and Francesco Gabbani.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Timothée conquers the judges. VIDEO
6/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Sofia Sole Cammarota proposed the song Oscar Winning Tears by Raye. "Undoubtedly very good. If I have to find a flaw, I lacked a bit of belly", commented Irama. He received 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, standing ovation for Alice Fregoso. VIDEO
7/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
“I still don't know who I am,” said Benedetta Cornalba, aka Cora, who admitted that she has often felt anxiety in important situations, but that she is slowly trying to trust herself and love herself a little more. In elementary school she had written her first piece for Gioele, the child she was in love with, but who only liked her "90%". He loves the urban genre. He sang the song Prima che by Nayt. “Are you capable of writing a piece like this?”, challenged Jake La Furia. “I hope I can convince you,” replied the competitor. He got 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Gabriele rewrites Shallow. VIDEO
8/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
The all-female power trio Hey Darling! comes from Forlimpopoli. “Music, energy and ignorance unite us,” said one of the members. The band's name, which means “Hello darling!”, comes from the contestants' love of kindness. They play alternative punk music and proposed the song Jerkin by Amyl and the Sniffers. “I'm already a fan,” said Jake La Furia. They got 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Maria sings Amandoti by CCCP. VIDEO
9/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Vito Damiano, 22 years old, comes from the province of Crotone and would like to make his parents proud. He approached music at the age of 16, when he attended karaoke with friends in the village kiosk. The owner then told Dad that he was talented. He sang the song Say Something by A Great Big World, which Irama himself had sung at the Sanremo Festival together with Arisa. Standing ovation! The competitor was moved. “You were exciting, authentic and pure,” said Irama himself. Without further ado, he received 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Salvatore with You Are So Beautiful. VIDEO
10/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Biagio Davì proposed the song Let's Hurt Tonight by One Republic. “You went a bit wrong everywhere,” commented Jake La Furia, who said no together with Paola Iezzi. The competitor did not pass the round.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Klem and Napoli Sotterranea dance the tango singing Liberato. VIDEO
11/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Edoardo Di Petta sang the song Di sole e d'azzurro by Giorgia, but with a part added by him. "If one has to touch a piece, then he must make it better. You made it worse", commented Jake La Furia, who together with Irama and Francesco Gabbani said no. The competitor has finished the race.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Manuel excites with If you fall in love you die. VIDEO
12/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Reju performed the song Phantastica by Verdena. “It's okay to scream in rock, but you don't have to sound awkward,” said Paola Iezzi, who said no along with Jake La Furia and Irama.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Patrizia sings and raps Bang Bang. VIDEO
13/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
“In life I do nothing but sing and write songs,” said Niccolò Riolfo, aka Rio, 23 years old, from Milan, who prefers the rock genre. He started making music at the age of 19 playing guitar, then introduced production and a band. A XF wants to learn and grow: “I want to do this, I have no plan B”. He chose the song Lipstick and chocolate by Ornella Vanoni. “Apparently broken, but fascinating,” commented Paola Iezzi, who together with Irama and Jake La Furia said yes. Only Francesco Gabbani said no.
X Factor 2026 auditions, the Scraffs' chemistry explodes with The Clash. VIDEO
14/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
The Distances are Andrea, Saverio and Corinna, who are between 20 and 23 years old. The name derives from the geographical location of the three boys, who come respectively from central Genoa, Trani and the outskirts of Genoa. They have been playing together for six years, and once or twice a month Saverio joins the other two. Soon he will move permanently to Liguria, but first... he has to get his driving license! They played the song Spacey Monkey by Placebo. Standing ovation! “Split it,” Irama said. They received 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Alice with Disfruto hits Francesco Gabbani. VIDEO
15/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Angelo Caianiello, aka Angelo DT1, 24 years old, from Naples, makes music, which he loves everything from classical to techno. “Whatever I do, I write,” he said. He brought the song Stupidaavventura by Nino D'Angelo, of which he rewrote a verse and the chorus. “You have a beautiful energy,” Irama said. “I'm a little hooked,” Jake La Furia said of the rap part. Next time, the competitor would like to bring an unpublished song completely written by him. He got 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Miryam brings the musical. VIDEO
16/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Camilla Letizia Guerini, aka Milla, is self-taught, has never performed (except in the oratory) and her parents have never heard her sing live. He chose the song Black Friday by Tom Odell. "You are one of the few who gave me shivers. You are special," said Paola Iezzi. “You are a phenomenon,” Irama added. He got 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Mattia sings Pesto di Calcutta. VIDEO
17/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Neyja are Giorgia (vocals), Diego (guitar), Alberto (drums) and Samuele (bass). They come from Turin and do crossover genre. They proposed the unreleased Freak, thanks to which they received 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Timothée conquers Giorgia from backstage. VIDEO
18/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Gabriele Duville, 27 years old, from Genoa, has always been a worker, but is now unemployed. He started making music a year ago. “Singing makes your heart come out of your throat,” he said. He chose the song I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty, later remade by Johnny Cash. However, during the performance, part of the text was forgotten. Francesco Gabbani said no, and in the end the competitor did not pass the round.
X Factor 2026 auditions, The Sales Sisters sing the unreleased Brivido. VIDEO
19/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
“Happiness, emotions, everything comes out when I sing,” said the street artist Duilio Pirrera, 34, who chose the song Vedrai, visto by Luigi Tenco. “You're still raw,” said Irama, who however with. Francesco Gabbani and Jake La Furia said yes. “Every morning, hot, cold, rain, wind, I take my amplifier and play,” Duilio said. "What you say as a person is stronger than what you sang. I would like the opposite", said Paola Iezzi, who gave him the final yes.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Martina amazes the judges with What Is It About Me. VIDEO
20/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Elia Ballancin lives in Soligo, in the province of Treviso, among the Prosecco hills. He worked for a winery. “Music keeps you alive,” he said. On the X Factor stage he sang the song Il mare d'interno by Loredana Berté. “You're real, without a lot of frills, I see myself in you a lot,” commented Irama. “I see a light at the end of the tunnel, let's go and see what there is,” confirmed Jake La Furia. The competitor received the only no from Francesco Gabbani.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Hålo bring a Negramaro cover. VIDEO
21/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Iana Maria Bomc, aka Heresiana, was born in Moldavia and arrived in Italy at the age of 4. In the morning she babysits, in the afternoon she writes songs and at night she DJs hard techno music. He sang the song Donatella by Donatella Rettore, but changed the lyrics and rearranged the beat. "All the ingredients for disaster were there. It was a bunch of wrong things, which...I like!", said Jake La Furia. He, Francesco Gabbani and Irama said yes, while Paola Iezzi said no.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Salvatore excites Paola Iezzi. VIDEO
22/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Raw Strings met just over a year ago and played Michael Sembello's song Maniac. Irama said no, but Jake La Furia, Paola Iezzi and Francesco Gabbani said yes.
X Factor 2026 auditions, Anastasia takes a risk with a cover of Mina. VIDEO
23/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Chiara Giannella, aka Noele, teaches singing and occasionally works as a chorister. He sang the song No Roots by Alice Merton. “You rocked,” said Jake La Furia. He received 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Nicola sings Maybe Tomorrow. VIDEO
24/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Matilde G are full-time musicians. To make a living from music they went to live abroad, but with Italy always inside. Some live in Los Angeles, another in Singapore and another in Turin. They always travel, from Poland, to Mexico, to the Maldives. Now X Factor seems like the perfect opportunity to return home. They played the song Physical by Dua Lipa. They got 4 yeses!
X Factor 2026 auditions, Giacomo sings Beautiful Things. VIDEO
25/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Davide De Luca graduated in Amsterdam, where he attended the Conservatory. There he had a band with which he played at Dutch festivals, but after a year he realized he had nothing to do there anymore, also because his music was Italian, and that was not his audience. Now he wants to promote Italian R&B and new funky music. He proposed the song Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai. He obtained the 3 yes votes from Irama, Jake La Furia and Francesco Gabbani and the no from Paola Iezzi.
X Factor 2026, Danny's The Wrong Ones. VIDEO
26/26 Photo by Virginia Bettoja
Ekaterina Dobrynina, aka Provokatia, 27 years old, comes from Siberia. “I like to provoke and be provoked,” she said. She moved to Italy to study Politics and Philosophy and would like to become a famous artist. He chose a hymn to freedom "that makes me fight every day and face every challenge", the song Bella ciao. “I'm in love!”, said Jake La Furia. He received 2 yeses from Jake La Furia and Irama, but 2 nos from Paola Iezzi and Francesco Gabbani. XF2026 awaits you every Thursday in prime time on Sky Uno and streaming on NOW
X Factor 2026 auditions, Camilla sings Reckoning Song. VIDEO
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