Malta and Gozo woke up on the eve of Valentine’s Day 2022 with a new household name: Ryan Hili, winner of the 3rd edition of X-Factor Malta. His final feat was winning the most votes from 38,000 members of the public, who weighed in on the outcome of the competition on Saturday 12th February. But that was just the end of a lengthier voyage; one which, some months earlier brought him to the Aurora!

a serious work ethic, which does not come at the expense of any slightest degree of humility

Yes! Back then still an unfamiliar face, with a very common name and surname, Ryan Hili requested the Aurora Opera House to produce a music video for his newly released song ‘Nistenniek’, in June 2021. We were touched by the polish in his voice, by the professionalism of the people he surrounds himself with, and above all by a serious work ethic, which does not come at the expense of any slightest degree of humility.

“We’ve seen him at home”

So when this 26-year old Design & Technology teacher from Żurrieq, Malta, appeared on X-Factor Malta’s auditions, we all said: “We’ve seen him at home”. And when he made it all the way through to the live shows, we were secretly rooting for him.

There he went from strength to strength securing himself a spot on the most coveted spectacle stage in Malta and emerged as a winner.

We join the nation in congratulating Ryan for his outstanding success, which is to be fully credited to himself; his talent, his tact and his skill; no prior exposure, no prior help, no extra strategies or pushes. But we also wish Ryan that this is the very start of a successful career.