Michela Pace was crowned the first-ever winner of X Factor Malta and will be representing the country in the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv in May.

The 17-year-old beat Owen Leuellen, Nicole Frendo and Petra in the final, held at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali.

Michela’s victory means she will now sign a record deal with Sony.

Petra was the first to be eliminated, followed by Nicole.

That left Owen Leuellen and Michela Pace to battle for the title, with Michela beating the only male finalist.

Michela began the final night just as she had started her X Factor journey, with a performance Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart.

Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja joined her on stage for a duet between rounds, and she then paid homage to her Gozitan homeland in singing The Tramps’ classic Inti Djamant in the second round.

She closed off with Lady Gaga Shallow.