Malta

Ira Losco

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameIra Losco Born31 June 1981 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2016Malta Song For Europe 2002Malta Song For Europe 2001Malta Song For Europe 2000 In EurovisionYear City SongSong (Year) Biography Born in 1981 in Sliema, Malta, Ira Losco’s passion for music was ignited during her childhood. She embarked on her musical journey by actively participating in various performances at her schools. At the same time, she joined a local alternative band called Tiara, which allowed her to showcase her talent in different venues such as hotels and clubs. Together, they released an album titled “Hi-infidelity” in 2001 before eventually parting ways in 2002. Ira made her introduction to the local music scene as a solo artist when she took part in the Festival Kanzunetta ghaz-zghazagh 1999. It was during this time that she also participated in the Festival internazzjonali Kanzunetta Maltija, where she achieved a notable 5th place with her song “Thallinix.” Her outstanding performance earned her the prestigious FIDOF award, recognizing her as the most promising singer. After making her mark on the local music scene, Ira Losco ventured into the realm of Eurovision by participating in the national preselection event, Malta Song For Europe 2000. It was her first time competing, and she managed to secure a spot in the final with not just one, but two songs: “Shine” and “Falling in love.” These impressive achievements catapulted her into the spotlight, solidifying her reputation as one of the esteemed and prominent local singers. Furthermore, Ira experienced another monumental triumph in her career with her involvement in the musical production “Rita ta’ Cascia,” where she skillfully portrayed the leading character. Her career breakthrough came in 2002, when she represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with the song “7th Wonder”. She placed second in the competition, Malta’s best ever result. Fourteen years later, she returned and represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song “Walk on Water”, placing twelfth. Losco has released five studio albums in her career, and is one of the most successful Maltese musicians of all-time. In 2018, she served as a judge on the inaugural season of X Factor Malta. Entries Walk On Water Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsLisa DesmondTim LarssonTobias LundgrenMolly Pettersson-HammarIra Losco MusicLisa DesmondTim LarssonTobias LundgrenMolly Pettersson-HammarIra Losco BackingsAnna AzzopardiPamela BezzinaMolly Pettersson-HammarLars Säfsund DancersSkorpion Results Semi Points: 209Position: 3Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 153Position: 12Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/58YS5m3EYVY 7th Wonder Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2002 LanguageEnglish LyricsGerard James Borg MusicPhilip Vella BackingsAiri AllveeJelena JuzvikLiisi KoiksonDagmar OjaKaire Vilgats Results Points: 164Position: 2Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/CSDAd2GfcQA

Christabelle Borg

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameChristabelle Borg Born28 April 1992 Nationality???????? Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2018Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2016Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2015Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongTaboo (2018) Biography Christabelle Borg, known by the stage name of Christabelle, is a Maltese singer-songwriter. She was born in Mġarr, Malta. Christabelle studied music at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles and graduated in 2014. Her artistic career began when she was a teenager. She then hosted the television shows Teen Trouble and Teen Traffic. She participated in the Maltese national final for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with the song “Going wild”. She participated in Malta Euorivision Song Contest 2014, with the song “Lovetricity”, and finished in eighth position in the final2. She tried again in 2015 with the song “Rush” and in 2016 with the song “Kingdom”, and placed second and fourth respectively 3rd and 4th. With the song “Taboo”, she won the competition and thus represented her country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. With the song and the staging, she asked for attention for mental healthcare. Unfortunately, she did not make it to the final. After Eurovision, Christabelle became a brand ambassador for Dior. She is currently working as an accountant. Entries Taboo Country???????? Maltese Year2018 LanguageEnglish LyricsChristabelle BorgMuxu MusicJohnny SanchezThomas G:son BackingsAnna AzzopardiPamela BezzinaJosef TabonePetra ZammitAnthea Zammit Results Semi Points: 101Position: 13Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/d52ViPImdls

Jessika

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameJessica Muscat Born27 February 1989 Nationality???????? Maltese National SelectionMalta Song For Europe 2008Malta Eurosong 2009Malta Eurosong 2010Malta Eurosong 2011Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2014Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2015Malta Eurovision Song Contest 20161 in 360 2018 (San Marino)Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2022 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongWho we are (2018, with Jenifer Brening) Biography Jessica Muscat, better known as Jessika, is a Maltese singer, songwriter and actress. She was born in Mosta. In 2004, she participated in the national final for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Four years later, she took part in the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. She did so continuously every year until 2016. Jseeika toured throughout the United Kingdom in 2009 and took singing lessons in the United States. She took part in the International Discovery Festival in Varna, Bulgaria. Her debut single “Golden ways” was released in 2012, followed in 2016 by “Can’t let go”. Meanwhile, she plays in a soap opera called Ħbieb u Għedewwa on a daily basis. In 2018, she took part in the Sammarinese national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She sang “Out of the twilight” solo and “Who we are” originally in a duet with Sammarinese rapper Irol. When he withdrew, he was replaced by Jenifer Brening. Jessika and Jenifer won the contest and represented San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. A new single, “No la conoces”, was released a year after the Eurovision adventure. With the song “Kaleidoscope”, Jessika returned to Malta Eurovision Song Contest, the Maltese national final, in 2022. Entries Who We Are (with Jenifer Brening) Country???????? San Marino Year2018 LanguageEnglish LyricsMathias StrasserZoë StraubChristof StraubStefan MoessleJenifer Brening MusicMathias StrasserZoë StraubChristof StraubStefan MoessleJenifer Brening BackingsLeni SommerBasti SchmidtCarlota de Bastos CarreiraJoana de Lima Results Semi Points: 28Position: 17Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/66D0pKVdA-4

Claudia Faniello

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameClaudia Faniello Born25 February 1988 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2017Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012Malta Eurosong 2011GO Malta Eurosong 2010GO Malta Eurosong 2009Malta Song For Europe 2008Malta Song For Europe 2007 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongBreathlessly (2017) Biography Claudia Faniello is a Maltese singer. Together with her siblings Fabrizio and Miriana, Claudia was born and raised in the Maltese town of Qawra. Her dad is from Italy. When she was twelve years old, Claudia started appearing on a variety of television programs. She also took part in numerous festivals and won the first place. In 2001, she took first place in the Talentissimi Juniors competition held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Malta. She performed live with Malta’s National Orchestra a year later at the University of Malta to raise money for underprivileged kids. Claudia performed in concert with her brother Fabrizio Faniello at the Mediterranean Conference Festival in 2003, and a year later she performed once more with the National Orchestra alongside Philippa, Nadine Axisa, and Fabrizio. She placed fourth on the 2005 season of the Net TV program Hotspot. With the song “High Alert!” written by Ray Agius, she began her involvement in the Malta Music For Europe Festival in the year 2006. She took up the prize for best newcomer in the same competition. Claudia won the 2006 Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza with Ray Agius’ song “Ma Nafx,”. She sang “L-Imabba Gamja” (Love is Blind), which earned her a spot in the Malta Song for Europe 2007 Semi-Final. It was the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She didn’t make it to the final round. In the summer of 2007, Claudia recorded the song “Wild Flower. With the songs “Caravaggio” and “Sunrise,” she qualified for the Go Malta Song for Europe in 2008. Both tracks made it into the top eight. “Caravaggio,” placed second, while with the song “Sunrise,” she became third. She returned for a third time to the Maltese Eurovision final the following year, but she was still excluded from the final three songs competing for a spot in Moscow 2009. With her song “Blue Sonata,” which Ray Agius wrote and arranged, she reached the 4th place. With the song “Samsara,” written by Gerard James Borg and arranged by Philip Vella, she advanced to the Go Malta Eurosong 2010 final. She reached the 8th place. In August 2010, she issued her debut album, “Convincingly Better”. Faniello’s song “Cinema in my Thoughts” placed 9th in the Malta Eurosong 2011 final. With her song “Pure,” Faniello finished second in the Malta Eurosong 2012 competition. A year later, the song “When it’s time” reached the 7th place. Faniello won the national final for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Breathlessly,” represented Malta. Unfortunately she didn’t manage to reach the final with her song. After the contest, she performed at the Eurovision Weekend in Berlin and at the Amsterdam Pride. She became the brand ambassador for NIVEA. She also hosted Miss Malta 2017. In 2019 Claudia sang in the Faces of Friends Festival in Moldova, which Malta won. On 30 August of that year Claudia release a new song called “Fallin”. The song reached the Swedish I-Tunes pop chart. In the Malta Top10 she reached the 6th place. Claudia released another song titled “Say” in June 2020. She dropped a brand-new track titled “When is it” on 1 October 2021. In 2022 she took part in the festival Muzika Muzika with a song in Maltese, “Ġmielek”. Entries Breathlessly Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsGerard James Borg MusicPhilip VellaSean VellaGerard James Borg BackingsChantal HartmannJeannette MarchewkaHanna KöpfJanina Krömer Results Semi Points: 55Position: 16Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXn-Ettr7yk

Gianluca Bezzina

About Quick Facts NameGianluca Bezzina Born09 November 1989 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Song For Europe 2015Malta Song For Europe 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongTomorrow (2015) Biography Gianluca Bezzina (born 9 november 1989 in Qrendi, Malta) is a Maltese singer and doctor. Gianluca began his journey in music by learning to play the piano accordion at seven years old, while concurrently honing his singing talents with the Malta Children’s Choir. Gianluca’s religious influences played a significant role in shaping him, as he continues to be an active participant in Roman Catholic youth groups, particularly the Youth Fellowship that organizes religious musical events and celebrations. Bezzina secured his position to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden after winning the national final with his song “Tomorrow.” Surprisingly, his initial participation in the Malta national song contest was purely for enjoyment, and he had no expectations of winning. Following his unexpected victory, he expressed astonishment at the result. In the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, he secured 8th place. Upon his return to Malta on May 19, 2013, Gianluca was greeted with a rousing reception from enthusiastic fans, family, and friends, echoing the welcome of a returning hero. Adding to his accolades, Bezzina’s song “Tomorrow” gained a unique distinction as the first Maltese Eurovision Song Contest entry to make its way onto the UK Singles Chart. It peaked at the 37th position for a week before sliding to number 66 the following week. Bezzina served as the lead vocalist for the band Funk Initiative, which saw the release of three hit singles including “The Liberators” and “Paris.” These songs gained considerable airplay on local radio and even led local music charts. On June 19, 2014, Funk Initiative triumphed in the Isle Of MTV Battle Of The Bands Competition, and consequently opened the Isle of MTV concert on July 25, 2014, at the Granaries in Floriana. Besides being a singer, Gianluca also shares his role as a doctor with two other members of the band, who are engineers and an accounts teacher, respectively. Bezzina took on the role of co-host alongside Ira Losco and Moira Delia for the semi-finals and finals of the 2014 Malta Eurovision Song Contest held on February 7 and 8. Bezzina and Losco graced the stage with two duets, “Feeling Good” and “Let Her Go.” In a poignant tribute to his late grandfather Gaetano, Gianluca participated in a spectacular show at the Teatru Salesjan in Sliema on March 19, 2014. Produced and directed by his sister Dorothy Bezzina, the performance celebrated the tenth anniversary of Gaetano’s passing. Alongside other gifted family members, Gianluca performed 24 Maltese songs, many of which were popular international covers, all bearing lyrics penned by their grandfather, affectionately known as “Nannu” Gaetano. On November 21 and 22, 2014, Gianluca competed in the Maltese national semi-final and final for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2015, eyeing a second chance to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. He was part of the group L-Aħwa (The sibblings), performing the song “Beautiful to Me.” This group consisted of family members Dorothy Bezzina, Samaria, Gianluca himself, Paul, Vincienne, and Francesca, all bearing the Bezzina surname. In November 2015, Bezzina released an EP, “Glorious”, with the group Pilgrim & King. Pilgrim&King is an integral component of the Youth Fellowship ministry, a Catholic evangelical group. In February 2017 this group released an entire album, “This is grace”. In 2018 Gianluca joined the group The Tailors, who released their single “Something happened” in December. In 2022 Gianluca Bezzina became one of the coaches of The Voice Kids Malta. With the song “Sabiħa” he participated in the contest Mużika Mużika in 2023. He reached the final of the contest. Also in 2023 he was a member of the X-Factor Malta jury. Entries Tomorrow Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsBoris ČežekDean Muscat MusicBoris ČežekDean Muscat BackingsLouise Ann Bugeja TateSamaria BezzinaKenny d’UgoGabriel CassarChris Tate Results Semi Points: 118Position: 4Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 120Position: 8Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/VK4TvZeL6c0

Amber

© EBU/Elena Volotova About Quick Facts NameAmber Bondin Born26 May 1991 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionMalta Eurovision Song Contest 2015Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2014Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2013Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012Malta Eurosong 2011 In Eurovision2015 Vienna SongWarrior (2015) Biography Amber Bondin (stage name Amber; born May 26, 1991 in Kalkara) is a Maltese singer. Amber Bondin received her first vocal training at the age of 16 from Maltese musician Brian Cefai before participating in the casting shows Trid Tarah and The Academy. At the age of 18, she was placed second in the first season of the talent show I.D and fourth in the Malta Hit Song Contest with her song “Take it easy.” Shortly after, she won the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza with her song “Trid Taprezza.” In 2011, Bondin competed in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, with the songs “Catch 22” and “Touch Wood.” She finished in 13th place. In 2012, she participated in the MESC again and placed third with the song “Answer with your eyes.” Bondin served as a backing vocalist for Malta’s representative Kurt Calleja at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, where they ranked 21st with the song “This is the night.” In 2013, she took part in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest once more with the song “In Control,” finishing in fourth place. In 2014, she competed in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Because I have you,” achieving the same result as the previous year. Bondin also was a member of the Maltese jury at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2014. In 2014, the singer applied again with the song “Warrior,” written by Elton Zarb, and became one of the 20 semi-finalists. She won the final with 72 points. However, she did not qualify for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna after participating in the second semi-final. In early 2016, Amber entered the top-10 with a new song, “What they say”. The song reached the no. 1 spot in Bay’s Top 40. On 10 November 2016, Amber’s album “Redemption” was released. A new single and video were released in October 2017: “No Neverland”. In July 2018, Amber had her first experience as an actress, when she played in the musical “Il-Ħanina Maddalena” and the rock opera “Ġensna” half a year later. Amber released the singles “Dance the night away” and “Untaggable”. She teamed up with Pamela for the song “Russian roulette”. At almost the same time, the solo single “Alive” was released and later in 2019 “That’s life”. Also in 2019, she played in another musical, “Il-Kbir Għadu Ġej”. In May 2020 she hosted two shows with Dorian Cassar, replacing the semifinals of the Eurovision Song Contest. They were cancelled, due to COVID19. The same duo also hosted the 2020 Junior Malta Eurovision Song Contest. They also hosted the show Magic on TVM. In december 2020 Amber teamed up with the band SterjoTipi for the song “Oazi”. It was followed in February 2021 by the solo song “Put away your money”, which became a no. 1 in the Maltese airplay charts. With Aidan, she released the song “Naħseb Fik”. And on th 3rd of June 2021 her new album “1991” was released. “Save yourself the time” was the first single from that album. It easily reached the Airplay Top10 too. ‘Dan il-Milied’”became a no. 1 in the charts again. In May 2022 a new single, “I need you” came out. Again a hit for Amber. She also released a christmas song, “Mument maġiku”. In 2023, she hosted the Malta Eurovision Song Contest together with Glen Vella. Entries Warrior Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2015 LanguageEnglish LyricsMatt ‘Muxu’ Mercieca MusicElton Zarb Backings– Results Semi Points: 43Position: 11Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/SaJxu3vorLc

Michela Pace

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameMichela Pace Born25 January 2001 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionX-Factor Malta 2019 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv SongChameleon (2019) Biography Michela is a Maltese singer. She was born at the island of Gozo. She studied at Bishop’s Conservatory Girls School in Victoria. Already at a young age, she started competing in song contests and talent shows. She participated in the Italian contest Voci Dal Sud and in the Baltic Song Festival in Lithuania. She submitted a song to Malta Song For Europe, the national final for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. However, her song did not make it to the final. Her final breakthrough came when she won the first season of Malta’s version of The X Factor in 2019. As a prize for her win, she represented Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song “Chameleon”. The song reached an 8th position. It won the Malta Music Award for best video. After the Eurovision Song Contest, she featured in the song “Cannonbal” with Ira Losco. Other songs she featured in were “Say it first” with B-OK, “One more” with The New Victorians and “Skin deep” with Maxine, Destiny and Gaia Cauchi. The songs all reached the #1 spot in the Maltese top-10. Entries Chameleon Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2019 LanguageEnglish LyricsJoacim PerssonPaula WingerBorislav MilanovJohan Alkenäs MusicJoacim PerssonPaula WingerBorislav MilanovJohan Alkenäs BackingsDestiny Chukunyere DancersAmir AshoorAmanda ArinNyat Kibreab FredrikssonAlbin Lindén Results Semi Points: 157Position: 8Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: 107Position: 14Running order: 1 https://youtu.be/H-byNyainRA?si=9LNzf2aUIX3H_mpy