X Factor ''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003) ...

'' is an Albanian television music competition to find new singing talents. The third season began on 15 September on

TV Klan Televizioni Klan, also known as TV Klan, is an Albanian private television channel with national coverage, based in Tirana, Albania. History and profile TV Klan launched as a Franco-Albanian joint-venture, with its first broadcast airing on 25 ...

. Based on the UK format, the competition consists of auditions, in front of producers and then the judges with a live audience; bootcamp; judges' houses and then the live finals.X Factor format
/ref> The producers' auditions for the show began in April 2013 in

Albania Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares ...

Kosovo Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...

and Macedonia. The winners were later called back to perform in front of the judges, held from May 19–21 in

Tirana Tirana ( , ; aln, Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea ...

. However, the auditions were broadcast in September, when the show started airing. The show will be hosted once again by Albanian singer

Alketa Vejsiu Alketa Vejsiu (born 19 January 1984) is an Albanian television presenter, entrepreneur, model, producer and singer. Career Television * ''Gjeniu i Vogël'' * ''Dancing with the Stars Albania'' * ''X Factor'' * ''Dance with Me'' * ''Your F ...

, while the judging panel consists of pop singer

Altuna Sejdiu Altuna Sejdiu ( mk, Алтуна Сејдиу; ; born 14 July 1985), also known professionally as Tuna ( mk, Туна), is a Macedonian-Albanian singer and songwriter. Life and career Altuna Sejdiu was born on 14 July 1985 into an Albanian ...

, Alban Skenderaj,

Soni Malaj Soni Malaj (born 23 October 1981), also known mononymously as Soni, is an Albanian singer, songwriter and dancer. Life and career Soni Malaj was born on 23 October 1982 into an Albanian family in the city of Tropojë, then part of the People ...

and

Pandi Laço Pandi Laço (born 21 March 1964 in Korçë) is an Albanian journalist, songwriter, presenter and scenarist. He is mostly known for his work on Albanian Eurovision songs, of which he wrote several. Pandi has worked with notable Albanian artists inc ...

. This year, the producers have decided to give more attention to the live shows, extending it to 15 weeks, and not airing bootcamp. The auditions were aired in three shows only, and then the show passed to the judges houses, airing only the finalists' bootcamp performance and result. Thus, to make the live shows longer to give the contestants more time to perform. The other difference this year, is that there is a variety of contestants who come from different places. Sarah Memmola is from

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

, who challenged herself to take part in the X Factor Albania. There are six contestants from Macedonia this year. There is no soloist from

this year, and there is a singer from

Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian language, Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Bas ...

, Donika Nuhiu, for the first time in the show.

Judges' houses

The 15 eliminated acts were: *Boys: Endri Caci, Genti Sheholli, Ilirian Mertani, Yllnor Kurti *Girls: Alma Kadria, Anxhela Dano, Arlinda Kovaci, Oreta Leka *Over 23s: Adelina Bacaj, Ester Abazi, Joana Gjini *Groups: Divas, New Life, The Fevers, Victorious 4

Contestants

The top 16 contestants were confirmed as follows; Key: : – Winner : – Runner-up : – Third place

Live shows

Results summary

;Colour key

Live show details

Week 1 (27 October 2013)

* Group performance: "

On the Floor "On the Floor" is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her seventh studio album, '' Love?'' (2011). Featuring American rapper Pitbull, it was released by Island Records on February 8, 2011, as the lead single from the album. ...

Week 2 (3 November 2013)

* Group performance: "

Counting Stars "Counting Stars" is a song by American pop rock band OneRepublic from their third studio album, ''Native'' (2013). The song was written by lead singer Ryan Tedder, and produced by Tedder and Noel Zancanella. It was released as the album's seco ...

" Judges' votes to eliminate *Pandi Laço: Ademir Fresku *Altuna Sejdiu: Dream Girls *Soni Malaj: Ademir Fresku *Alban Skënderaj: Ademir Fresku

Week 3 (10 November 2013)

Group performance: "

You Are Not Alone "You Are Not Alone" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his ninth studio album, '' HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'' (1995). It was released on August 15, 1995, as the second single from the album. An R&B ballad, "You ...

" Judges' votes to eliminate *Pandi Laço: Dream Girls *Soni Malaj: Laura Kërliu *Alban Skënderaj: Dream Girls *Altuna Sejdiu: Dream Girls

Week 4 (17 November 2013)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Pandi Laço: Arissa Rexho *Altuna Sejdiu: Kristina Leka *Soni Malaj: Arissa Rexho *Alban Skënderaj: Kristina Leka With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result was deadlocked and reverted to the earlier public vote. Leka was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

Week 5 (24 November 2013)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Altuna Sejdiu: Nimfat *Soni Malaj: Amadeo Gjura *Alban Skënderaj: Nimfat *Pandi Laço: Nimfat

Week 6 (8 December 2013)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Alban Skënderaj: Fatmir Durmishi *Altuna Sejdiu: Fatmir Durmishi *Soni Malaj: Fatmir Durmishi *Pandi Laço: It was not necessary to vote for Fatmir Durmishi already had the votes necessary for elimination.

Week 7 (15 December 2013)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Soni Malaj: Arissa Rexho *Pandi Laço: Exception *Alban Skënderaj: Exception *Altuna Sejdiu: Arissa Rexho With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result was deadlocked and reverted to the earlier public vote. Rexho was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

Week 8 (22 December 2013)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Altuna Sejdiu: Free Spirit *Soni Malaj: Amadeo Gjura *Alban Skënderaj: Amadeo Gjura *Pandi Laço: Free Spirit

Week 9 (5 January 2014)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Pandi Laço: Mia Morina *Alban Skënderaj: Laura Kërliu *Altuna Sejdiu: Mia Morina *Soni Malaj: Mia Morina

Week 10 (12 January 2014)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Altuna Sejdiu: Leotrim Zejnullahu *Alban Skënderaj: Amadeo Gjura *Soni Malaj: Amadeo Gjura *Pandi Laço: Leotrim Zejnullahu

Week 11 (19 January 2014)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Pandi Laço: Exception *Soni Malaj: Laura Kërliu *Alban Skënderaj: Laura Kërliu *Altuna Sejdiu: Laura Kërliu

Week 12 (26 January 2014)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Alban Skënderaj: Leotrim Zejnullahu *Altuna Sejdiu: Sarah Memmola *Soni Malaj: Leotrim Zejnullahu *Pandi Laço: Leotrim Zejnullahu

Week 13 (2 February 2014)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Pandi Laço: Exception *Soni Malaj: Enxhi Nasufi *Alban Skenderaj: Exception *Altuna Sejdiu: Enxhi Nasufi

Week 14 (9 February 2014)

Week 15: Semi-Final (16 February 2014)

Judges' votes to eliminate *Pandi Laço: Sarah Memmola *Soni Malaj: Enxhi Nasufi *Alban Skenderaj: Enxhi Nasufi *Altuna Sejdiu: Enxhi Nasufi

References

{{Reflist X Factor (Albanian TV series) 2012 Albanian television series debuts Albania 03