Sky announced the judging panel for the 20th season of X Factor Italia, debuting in September with singer Irama as the newest addition.
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Sky has officially announced the judging panel for X Factor 2026, the 20th edition of Italy's longest-running talent show. The new season will debut in September on Sky Uno and streaming service NOW.
Giorgia returns as host for the third consecutive year. The judging panel comprises Francesco Gabbani, Jake La Furia, Paola Iezzi, and newly appointed judge Irama, who replaces Achille Lauro.
Achille Lauro departed the program after two seasons. In an Instagram post, Lauro stated: "After two beautiful years at X Factor, with a unique team and moments I will never forget, my adventure in the program ends here." He attributed his exit to numerous live commitments incompatible with the show's demands, though he did not rule out a future return.
Irama, recently turned 30, is described as one of the strongest hit makers in contemporary Italian music. His work blends multiple genres including pop, urban, and singer-songwriter influences. He won Sanremo Giovani, which led to his debut at the Sanremo Festival in 2016. According to sources, Irama was selected over other candidates including Tananai, who had also been considered for the role.
The judging panel will mentor contestants through auditions and subsequent competition stages, with one finalist ultimately winning the season. The show is produced by Fremantle as a Sky Original production.
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