Chiara is one of the Eurovision’s legends, having represented Malta three times (1998, 2005 & 2009) reaching a third and a second place.
With her three entries accumulating a total of 388 points, Chiara became also the third most successful Eurovision artist in terms of total points earned in her performances, behind Russia’s Dima Bilan and Sweden’s Carola.
ESCUNITED has caught up with the lovely Chiara to discuss her Eurovision days, current projects and future plans. Here is what she had to say.
You went through different Eurovision experiences, how did you prepare yourself for 2005 and 2009? What was your mind frame going to Eurovision again after being so close to winning it in 1998?
Did you approach each differently?
1998 was an amazing experience and it gave me a new look out on the Eurovision song contest, in 1998 I went there as a fairly new artist, doing my first big competition, and also being in my first huge show outside of my island, and I learned a lot from the experience. When 2005 came and I had my song Angel, I knew what I wanted and was more determined to go straight for the top places, I believed a lot in my song and as I always say, Angel is my baby so I have a special feeling towards it. You kind of expect to do well especially after the previous results of 3rd and 2nd, so when 2009 arrived I was very excited to do the ESC again, even tough I think it was the time I felt most pressured to do well out of the three. Having said that, 2009 was a year when I took part in the ESC not only because I love the festival and miss it when I am not there, but also because it was my father’s last wish, to see me back on that amazing stage, he truly always believed I could one day win the ESC, so I felt I owed him one more try.
Chiara’s 2009 Eurovision performance:
[vsw id=”5LtXC8ELhck” source=”youtube” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]When you re-watch your performances, what goes through your mind?
When I re watch them, usually I get the feelings I had that day when I was singing, so the three of them are different. When I watch 2005, I feel the warmth and love of all the Eurovision fans and audience there was that year, in 2009 I feel the sense of strength and empowerment I had felt that year and 1998 was the funniest of all, cause every time I watch that I still hope that maybe at the end I would get the last points and win, but it always finishes the same!!!
What is your most vivid Eurovision memory? What were your highlights from all contests?
If I had to choose just one moment from the three of them, I think that as a nice and warm memory I would choose the moment when I went on stage in 2005 and even before the music started , the audience gave me the most warm and powerful applause I have ever gotten, I still get goose bumps every time I think of it. as for highlights I guess that the voting moments of the three are still the most vivid today, especially that of 1998.
Chiara performing “Angel” to a highly enthusiastic Eurovision audience:
[vsw id=”Vv8GmwcfR9A” source=”youtube” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]Would you consider participating again?
I can never say never when it comes to ESC. I am not just an artist but I am also a Eurovision fan so I do miss it and all the fans every year. I do wish to go back one day, but I will be waiting for the perfect song to do it again definitely.
If you had to cover one Eurovision song, what would it be?
There are a lot of beautiful songs from Eurovision and I could mention at least 20 I would like to sing and some of them I already have, like “Je ne sais quoi” from Hera Bjork but having said that, it is no secret what my favorite song from Eurovision is, I have mentioned it so many times, it is “Hold me now” from Mr. Eurovision himself, Johnny Logan. I consider myself an extremely lucky person, as I have always been a fan of Johnny Logan and thru Eurovision I was able not only to meet him, but also sing in the same shows with him and become friends.
If you had to choose one Eurovision and one non-Eurovision artist to sing a duet with who would it be?
I have sung duets with some Eurovision singers already like Hera Bjork, Niahm Cavanagh and Paula and Ovi, but if I had to dream I would definitely love to sing a duet with Johnny Logan. As for artists that are not from Eurovision, I think I would go with Bruno Mars, who reminds me so much of Michael Jackson, and I was a huge fan of his.
You recently released a duet with Hera Bjork? what led to the idea of working together? Do you plan any other collaboration with Hera Bjork? Perhaps a joint Eurovision entry? 🙂
As I have mentioned before, I never say never and a collaboration fro ESC with me and Hera, for me , is not out of the question. I have met Hera in a couple of shows around Europe and this led to a meeting with her manager Valgeir Magnusson, from Hands up music in Iceland. After giving it some thought we both decided to start this collaboration between me and Hands up Music, which eventually led to an idea of me and Hera singing together as we were being booked for shows together anyway. I must say it was kind of a wish come true for me as I do believe that Hera has such an amazing strong voice and I do also admire her a lot as a person, to me she is an inspiration. We have discussed more duets and the plan is of having an original song together in the future, which I am sure everyone will like.
What other current projects are you working on? any new music planned to be released?
At the moment we are working on a new single to be released in the coming months, I am co writing the song with my management and I am very excited about it as always when it comes to new songs.
If you hadn’t been in show business, would would you have been doing instead?
I am also a mother so I think I would definitely give more time to that, but another dream I had when I was young which I still have now is that of becoming a chef and restaurateur, a dream which would take up all my time for sure.
Growing up, which artists/people inspired and influenced you the most?
I think that when it comes to music, I was inspired mostly by Whitney Houston, I have never had lessons for my singing, my training consisted of listening to Whitney all the time and trying to learn how to control the notes. Michael Jackson was also an inspiration when it came to stage and show. Today there Are a lot of more artists i like but no one will come close to those two as far as inspiration and influence goes.
What are the top 3 most played songs on your phone?
Run to you – Whitney Houston
Hold me now – Johnny Logan
Reflection – Christina Aguilera
What’s your proudest “I can’t believe I’ve don’t that” moment?
I have a lot of those moments, they are all the times I was able to give a performance to Large number of people in front of me and give my all to my fans. Malta is very small so when I have tens of thousands of people in front of me singing my songs with me, for me it is a huge achievement every time.
Chiara’s Eurovision debut in 1998: [vsw id=”LgqwhkiKaDY” source=”youtube” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In my career, I think I see myself still going round Europe and giving out performances to my fans, letting them be part of my life and share with them the joy I get out of giving my all in my music.
That must be India and China, I would love to have time to go and take a tour just travel thru those countries slowly and learning about new cultures.
What’s your favorite food/drink?
My favorite food when i am abroad doing concerts is usually fish and sushi. But I do love my Maltese cuisine and I miss it every time I am away.
What’s your favorite color?
My favorite color is aquamarine, the color of most of our water in the beaches here in Malta, it always reminds me of home.
What’s your favorite book/movie?
My favorite movie is definitely “The green mile”, I am never tired of watching it and I do cry every single time!! As for books it is a bit more difficult for me to choose as I read a lot and go thru at least a couple of books a week so choosing just one is a little difficult, but I do like Stephen King and Dan Brown a lot as writers.
Dogs or cats?
Cats
Who would play your character in the movie about your life?
I do not know who exactly would be good for my part but it would definitely have to be someone who can be funny and laugh at himself as I am extremely clumsy and I have had my share of crazy accidents and experiences in my life, but also strong and womanly at the same time. There are a lot faces to Chiara and the person playing that should be able to conquer all of them. But I really cant just point out one name as I am very complex as a person and woman which I believe all women around the world are.
