"...including none other than Diane Warren who is undoubtedly one of the most successful songwriters ever."

Back in 1998, a relatively unknown artist walked out onto the stage of the 'Malta Song for Europe' contest.

Humble and sincere, she sang a song called 'The One That I Love'. That performance reached into people's hearts enough for her to win the competition and the right to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham. The artist 'Chiara' was born. Unfortunately, the company that she had to sign for did not believe in her ability to succeed. This resulted in a lack of preparation and no promotion campaign.

In spite of this, Chiara took to the stage in Birmingham, on 9 May 1998 with a strong and determined personality. She sang her heart out to a rapturous audience. She led the voting process right up to the very end where she was pipped at the post by Dana International in the very last stages of the ever-controversial voting process. She finished in a credible third place. Chiara had become a star and was in demand. However, due to some bad management and a lack of preparation, she missed the international boat and was held back from pursuing the music career that she had dreamed of.

Still unable to get herself released from the defunct contract, Chiara spent the next five years in a musical wilderness having only her national market to rely on.
During this time she won the 'Best Female Artist' at the 1998 Malta Music Awards and released three albums on the local market. Her highlight was performing with Leo Sayer and Boney M in concert in 2000 and 2001 respectively.

In 2003, things rapidly changed for the better. Once her contract expired, Chiara was free to choose for herself and was attracted to Bridge Productions. Supported by the undying belief of her father, Chiara worked continuously in the studio on her new album.
This soon-to-be-released album consists of a number of great songs written by internationally-acclaimed songwriters hailing from Sweden, Belgium and the United States - including none other than Diane Warren who is undoubtedly one of the most successful songwriters ever.

In the process, she developed her song-writing skills to write the beautiful ballad 'Angel' which she entered for the Song for Europe Festival 2005.
Stronger and more determined than before, she performed magnificently to reach out and touch everyone's heart.

Seven years after that memorable night in Birmingham, she will once again step out onto the international stage, to represent Malta at the 50th Eurovision Song Contest, this time, in Kiev.
She will have a second chance to succeed internationally. She has the potential. She has the heart. She has the personality and the voice. She also has strong support and is working closely with her management and production company. This time she is prepared...

The Singer

Picture the scene...Birmingham 1998, presenter Ulrika Jonsson has just offended the Dutch presenter in front of the whole of Europe... it's down to the last country to vote, Macedonia. Israel and Malta are tied on 166 points each...you can cut the atmosphere with a large cheese knife.
The Macedonian points presenter gives 6 points to Israel putting them on 172...he gives 10 points to the UK putting them on 167 points...Malta need the final 12 points of the contest to win it...Macedonia give the 12 points to Croatia...cue transsexual Israeli celebrations...cue despair for Malta who have to settle for third.
I mention this because the singer for Malta that year was Chiara (in a grey power suit). In what was the closest (and best presented) Eurovision ever, Chiara was pipped at the post with what was in reality a fairly average song. Seven years on, her voice unsurprisingly hasn't changed and she clearly has the pedigree to succeed. Let's hope she does.

The Past

Aah, Malta. If Eurovision countries were toys, then Malta would be a big cuddly teddy bear (Germany would be Garbage Pail Kids, Sweden would be Barbie, Spain would be Ken).
The little jewel of Eurovision, who for over 10 years now have been sending cuddly, quasi-religious little ditties, almost universally to some success. Three times, three women have come in the top three, which for an island with no railways is pleasing for Maltesers. Thousands of people welcomed Ira back home after her second place in 2002, proof if proof were required just how powerful a inconsequential three minutes of sound can be. Nobody could begrudge Malta a win. Aah.

The Song
As well as singing "Angel", Chiara also wrote it, which is an impressive feat for a woman who has clearly been in the doldrums since visiting Birmingham (a common enough affliction). Although I can make the odd mildly flattering comment on Eurovision ballards, I very rarely actually like them. I can, however, largely stomach this one (an apt statement), which is saying quite a lot really. All in all I'm analytically saying it's the best song in show, and although I prefer other songs, Malta have a very good chance with this. I guarantee Terry will love it.

Gestures - 3 A paltry score from the rotund diva, a woman who finds underarm chaffing to be too much of a problem to indulge in wild gesturing. Can a standing stock-still approach work in this day and age?
"Wanna" Count - 0

Overall
Any self-respecting Eurovision fan wants Malta to succeed. They know that the tiny islet would throw themselves into the hosting of the contest with great gusto, and are truly deserving of such a prize. Yes, there may be bigger nations that haven't won (Greece amongst them) but this is Malta, a nation who send quality pop tat to the floor year after glorious year. The omens are there. After all there's no way last year's operatic farce should have qualified Malta directly for the final, but there they find themselves, allowing Chiara to save her vocal chords. Finally a win for Malta?

In a Nutshell
"Will Chiara be catching the international boat this time"

"The Shrink Says"

Chiara is taken from the Latin, illustris, from illustrare, to give glory to, shine upon. Indeed, this is a fine omen for a woman with so much to give. Fecund Malta have supplied the contest with a whole lot of singer, who's personal past disappointment may either steel her resolve to provide ultimate glory to her nation, or will provide so much pressure on her sizable shoulders that she will crumple like the Hindenburg under a lit match.
Alison "big voice" Moyet
 Chiara "big voice" ...

Angel

Far away in a lost world
I hear your voice calling for heaven
Cast away, caught in memories
You must believe love will come through

I'll be your angel
In your darkest night
I'll be your destiny
Waiting by your side
I'll be the sunshine
When you're feeling blue
I'm always here for you

Comes a day, heart on fire
When all your faith seems to be missing
Go your way and you'll find there
A land of hope, a land of dreams

I'll be your angel
In your darkest night
I'll be your destiny
Waiting by your side
I'll be the sunshine
When you're feeling blue
I'm always here for you

And when you lose it all
And nothing seems right
Just keep holding on to me

I'll be your angel
In your darkest night
I'll be your destiny
Waiting by your side
I'll be the sunshine
When you're feeling blue
I'm always here for you
Prediction Semi Final The operatic Rene and Renata got Malta straight into the final. Gulp.
Final 8th