Malta MALTA 2025 - Miriana Conte - Serving

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[Sammy]

I dont see the big issue.

KANT means "Singing" in Maltese.

Just sing "Serving singing" instead and then you don't need to worry about changing lyrics.

It does not. It means „song“

I asked Chat GPT. Here‘s the answer:

The Maltese verb for "singing" is"ikanta." Here are some possibleforms of the verb and relatedwords:

### Verb Forms:
1. Ikanta - to sing (infinitive)
2. Kanta - he/she sang (pasttense)
3. Jikanta - he/she sings (presenttense)
4. Se jikanta - he/she will sing(future tense)
5. Kanta - sing! (imperative)

### Derivatives:
1. Kant - song
2. Kantant - singer
3. Kantazzjoni - singing (the actof singing)
4. Kantiera - choir
5. Kantun - a type of song or tune

 

[Rocket man]

I remember my first impression when I saw this performance was, "how is the BBC going to allow this to be broadcast?" The most offensive swear word in English.

I guess I now got my answer, "they won't."

 

[Yoozek]

So I guess she can't sing kant or can't pronounce kant but maybe they can allow her to sing can't instead of kant?
Or just sing "I can't serving" then add "english bad do re mi fa sol".

Even these do re mi are actually not C D E notes lol so that will make sense and the overall performance has a dumb label, we kant...can't not agree on that.

 

[RainyWoods]

There are plenty of people still uncomfortable with queer being reclaimed as a word given its previous (and sadly still current) use as a slur.

A bit off topic perhaps, but I'm actually one of those people. I fully respect those that want to refer to themselves as queer but personally I don't feel comfortable being called a slur I was bullied with all throughout my childhood and into young adulthood. I didn't reclaim it myself. Each time in my life, even when I've just been casually with no malicious intent been called queer, it has made me tense up. I don't like that word. To me it holds the same negative connotations as the F slur for gay people. In general, I'm just not into labels for myself full stop, even if I can understand how they help others find a place.


The phrase "serving c*nt" actually originated from American Ballroom culture which started back in the 70s. It was a term used to describe competitors, some that were trans who were incredibly feminine and passing (perceived as their identified gender.) That trickled into RuPaul Drag Race culture, and is how the slang phrase has been going around a lot today.

People can make art and use whatever words they want. There's a time and a place for everything though. It's just naivety to think the repeated phrase of "serving c*nt" would make it to Eurovision, even if one claims it's being used in a positive sense in the song.. in fact, to do that even implies, that yes, she's indeed swearing which to my recollection breaks one of Eurovision's own rules.

 

[Papiertapir]

I somehow like that entry. She has a great attitude - power and confidence - I like!


The vulgar meaning however... I kinda dislike. (That's why I also dislike the finnish entry this year.) Yeah I get what's funny about it and I really have fun with them girls jumping on those pink balls which imo represent the part of the female genitals that this song is provoking with - but meh... I just hate that word.

I always loved to read Kant in school :-D

 

[Romeo]

Change the title to Romanian “cum” (how)
Or sing about the old English town of “Salop” (slut - in French)
Or Swedish and Miriana can serve “slut” (end)

Then the EBU could have an issue.

Spain sent “Zorra” last year…

I really don’t see the issue with “Kant”

 

[NikolaiMoller]

So UK was allowed to basically do gay porn on stage last year but Malta cannot sing "Serving Kant"??

It's embarassing tbh... why would you be offended by this?? it's not like she's calling anyone a c*nt...

 

[SirPeterGriffin]

Terrible timing but completly agree with this decision. It's one thing if the song was entirely in Maltese but when the song is in english and, conveniently, the only word that phonetically can originate this double meaning is in maltese, it's clear as water this wasn't innocent. It's not the broadcasters fault if 99% of the selling point behind your song is a corny pun.

 

[njdevils94]

Protest for Kant on a Roblox server.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1897011281108013140

 

[Mrm]

It is amazing for Malta actually, they started to drop signifiKANTly, with this trash, now they will put them in the spotlight again.. Meeeh.

 

[Leydan]

Not the BBC getting threats online and people calling for the UK to be bombed. The outrage and dramatics from what is a very obvious outcome is just too much. It's a real shame it fell so close to the DDL, but let's be real here. They knew the intent with the wording and phrasing and for sure TVM was full aware of the risk. It's not a big deal, they'll easily change it and keep the same effect as some have suggested in previous posts.

 

[jatojo]

So UK was allowed to basically do gay porn on stage last year but Malta cannot sing "Serving Kant"??

It's embarassing tbh... why would you be offended by this?? it's not like she's calling anyone a c*nt...

Some Europeans are very touchy. Just take a look at the debate about Sabrina Carpenter's recent appearance in the UK. She wore more clothes than Sissal, and yet people were upset.

 

[Yoozek]

Well she can always serve Conte. It's not like they forbid her to say her name

 

[Yoozek]

Not the BBC getting threats online and people calling for the UK to be bombed.

Girl WTF

Ain't that what one would call a fanbase

 

[theditz83]

Serving Conte would be the obvious choice here - as in "I'm being me, don't like it, I don't give a rat's *ss"

I dunno, this whole thing just serves to draw more attention to the entry I reckon, and maybe mobilise more people to get behind it. A kind of "let's beat the evil overlords" scenario.

 

[runnerupster]

The way people use the argument that the song is bad to them as justification. How is that related? I find the decision hypocritical, the show has been filled with X rated innuendos and definitely many non 9 o'clock friendly performances. Like that windowsman last year and kids are watching that.

The whole world isn't English-speaking, I didn't even know the meaning of the word and it isn't even spelled the same way. Different languages exist with words with different meanings...

 

[hijirio]

Why should we let British people mishearing lyrics decide
When we could be having the time of our lives

Well Mamagama means motherfcker in Greek and Llamame from Romania 2022 translates to "fck me".

But hey, we’re Mediterranean people! We know how to take things lightheartedly.
BBC can’t relate.

Not the BBC getting threats online and people calling for the UK to be bombed.

Like here... What's the point of mentioning this.
Obvi people are just exaggerating for the sake of fun, no one is actually going to bomb your broadcaster, chill out. Not everything has to be so serious. It’s just a bit of fun. It may not be your style of humor, you may not approve of those comments, but hey, it is nothing serious/worth whining over.

 

[hijirio]

If 'Zorra' from Spain was allowed, I would sing 'serving bitch' as in female dog.

However, the EBU doesn't always hold every country to the same standards. We’ve seen many double standards in past instances.
They tend to make exceptions based on what serves their interests, and unfortunately, money talks.

 

[Mrlazzyjazzy]

You guys and the fandom online in general confuse me. The whole intention of this song was her using a soundalike word to literally say serving c**nt. Apparently this is unfair the EBC have an issue with this, but a straight forward pop song with an innuendo, which casual listeners won't pick up on is too vulgar???

 

[Yoozek]

Btw did they ask her to change the lyrics, or the title?