In a bid to chase future talent, Sky chose a school as its launchpad, presenting the new season of X Factor 2025 at the Liceo Artistico Boccioni in Milan on its first day of classes. The Sky Original show, produced by Fremantle, returns this Thursday, September 11th, on Sky and for streaming on Now.
Host Giorgia returns to lead the talent show, alongside the four judges: new entry Francesco Gabbani, Achille Lauro, Jake La Furia, and Paola Iezzi. Their task will be to guide the aspiring singers after a selection process on the stage of Milan’s Allianz Cloud. The Bootcamp mechanism has been completely modified: for a contestant to advance, they will now require a unanimous ‘yes’ from all four judges. Otherwise, lively discussions and dramatic moments are expected, with each judge holding the powerful ‘X Pass’ card to be played at any time.
For Gabbani, this is a first, taking the place of Manuel Agnelli (joked about by Jake La Furia as being absent because “he won the Superenalotto”). Gabbani stated, “On paper, it could have been a risk, a good atmosphere might not have been created. Instead, a great atmosphere was formed immediately; I felt welcomed. I believe our fundamental role is to guide the kids toward their dream.” Achille Lauro added a contrasting view: “I think talent is a great lie, a big falsehood that is wrong to believe in… The important thing is that everyone finds what they truly love to do.”
The live finale is confirmed for December 4th in Naples’s Plebiscite Square, as stated by Giuseppe De Bellis, Executive Vice President of Sport, News, and Entertainment at Sky. De Bellis also speculated on the show’s influence, suggesting, “It could even be that one day sport becomes a kind of X Factor, transforming our sports offering into something closer to entertainment.” He praised the show’s unique solidity in the Italian television landscape, noting last year’s edition was hugely followed.
As a thank you for the school’s hospitality, Sky gifted the Liceo Boccioni a new music classroom.