Interview - Chiara (Malta 1998, 05, 09)

Image supplied by www.eurovision.tv

By Diarmuid Murphy

Hi Chiara. Thank you for doing this interview today.

1 - You have participated for Malta in Eurovision before and this is your third time.  How are you feeling with the contest coming up?

I am feeling quite good, i am excited now and can't wait for the 12th of May.

2 - Starting from the beginning, could you tell us how you got into singing and how your career took off?

It's a funny story, I used to sing for my friends in school and one of them took me to her brother's studio so he will hear my voice, he actually loved it and here I am today.

3 - Many of us remember you from the Eurovision 1998 in Birmingham.  You finished in 3rd place and could have easily won the contest that year.  What are your memories of that year?

Exactly those, how nice it felt to be so close to winning and how sad it made me to feel I didn't win, there was only 7 points between Malta
and Israel so it felt a bit disappointing

4 - It is one of the most exciting Eurovision finals that year, what were your feelings when the last set of votes were coming in and you had the chance to win, but just narrowly missed out?

I felt that yes I was there, and I will win but then it did not happen and it was a bit disappointing

5 - In 2005, you entered again with the song 'Angel' finishing in 2nd place. What were your memories of Kiev and did they differ from Birmingham?

Yes they were very different I was not so close to the winning country so from the beginning I knew I would do well but not win

6 - This year, you are entering with the song 'What If We.'  Could you tell us what the song means to you?

It means a lot, it's a song that I chose with my composer and it had always been the dream of my father for me to go again to this festival. So it means a lot not only for me but for my whole family.

7 - You won the Maltese Eurosong quite comfortably, so it is quite obvious that the Maltese people have a lot of faith in you and they know they are sending one of their best representatives.  Does this help you in any way before the contest?

It helps me to feel loved by my country but it also puts more pressure as people are expecting that I do better than last time

8 - This year's  Eurovision sees a lot of changes with again 2 semi-finals and 50/50 voting process of jury and televote.  Do you agree with these changes?

Change is a part of life and I believe it makes us grow and learn so yes why not?

9 - Some people feel that small nations such as Malta, Ireland, Andorra or Cyprus have a smaller chance of winning compared to the bigger nations such as Russia, Ukraine and Germany etc.  What do you think?

Well I feel that if every country gives you a little bit of points you have a great chance to win if you are a big  country or small, from my experience if there is a good song then you have a chance no matter were you are from.

10 - Should you win the Eurovision this year, what would this mean to you and to your country?

For me it would mean a lot, it would mean I gave my father his dream at least now after he passed away, I miss him a lot, for my country it would finally mean that yes we are there with everyone else. It would be great.

"Change is a part of life and I believe it makes us grow and learn."

11 - What are your plans between now and Moscow?  Any promotional tours?

The last trip is this weekend to Belgium and Holland then straight to Moscow.

12 - Finally, is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

I would just like to say thank you for the previous two times I've been to the festival were I got so much support form everyone, and see you all in Moscow.

Thank you Chiara.

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