Italy's X Factor has crowned its latest winner at the tender age of 16. The televised singing competition ended Sunday, with Francesca Michielin of Bassano del Grappa coming out on top.
Francesca had a strong showing through the X Factor competition and was never in eminent danger of elimination, but it was her new single that truly confirmed her first place standing, Distratto, a song written for her by Italian famous singer-songwriter Elisa.
The young performer was a protégée of X Factor judge Simona Ventura, a popular TV presenter who returned to judge season five after previously appearing on seasons 1 and 2.
Francesca stood out not only for her singing talent, but also for her music taste and knowledge, proposing her interpretation of rock classics like The House of the Rising Sun, Whole Lotta Love or Roadhouse Blues. The presenter of the show, former MTV VJ Alessandro Cattelan, commented her victory saying: "You are the living proof that a 16 years old is not forced to listen just to commercial music!".
Under the guidance of Simona, the impressive X Factor performance earned the 16-year-old singer an enviable prize: a contract with Sony Music worth 300,000 Euro.
Yet, the recording studio will have to wait. Monday marks the first day of classes in Italy following several weeks of Christmas vacation. After accumulating several absences to take part in the show, Francesca is spending the day after her win in school.
The fifth edition of the show was the first season shown on Sky after 4 years on Rai 2. The final episode was even aired in 3D, for the first time in television history. And for the first time in history of the X Factor format. a judge, in this case Simona Ventura, managed to bring all her protégées to the semifinal episode, with young and talented Francesca (16 years old), Nicole (17 years old) and Jessica (20 years old) braking this record.
