Introduction

• Participant(s): Emma Muscat
• Song: I Am What I Am
  
• Writer(s): Dino Medanhodzic, Emma Muscat, Julie Aagaard, Stine Kinck
• Composer(s): Dino Medanhodzic, Emma Muscat, Julie Aagaard, Stine Kinck
• Broadcaster: TVM
  
• Social media:        
  
• Team review: 

Emma Muscat has been chosen to represent Malta in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy. Within the national final, Emma has performed the song “Out Of Sight”, where she received the highest votes from the jury and Maltese public. The song has been exchanged later on to increase the chances on the international level.

The beautiful singer was born in San Giljan, Malta in 1999. Emma learned to play the piano and singing. Her inspiration for singing came from singer like Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin. Emma has performed on smaller occasions in Malta, England and Italy. Her first single 2016 was “Alone”. In the Italian casting show “Amici di Maria De Filippi” Emma has become known to a wider audience. Her first EP “Moments” has reached the top 3 album charts. Beside of her music career, Emma is also working as a model in Italy.

Here is a selection of her songs:

• “Figuarti Noi” Shade feat. Emma Muscat
  
• “Avec Moi” (feat. Biondo)
  
• “Sangria” (feat. Astol)
  
• “Meglio di sera” (feat. Álvaro De Luna & Astol)
  
  

The song for this year’s Eurovision differs from the style of her previous songs, it’s more melodic and less Rn’B. “I Am What I Am” is almost an anthem with a strong message, to be who you are. In the video-clip it’s clear that there should be no prejudices and no hate, no matter what colour your skin is, what sexuality you have or prefer, if you are old or young. The song can’t be compared to Gloria Gaynors “I Am What I Am”, but the meaning is similar.

History

• Debut: 1971
• Participations: 33
• Victories: 0
• Finals: 25
• Top 10: 14

For Malta it’s going to be the 33rd participation at the Eurovision Song Contest. Last year the Junior Eurovision winner Destiny has made a fantastic 7th place in Rotterdam. In the Semi-Final she was even number one. The Maltese believed that Destiny could win the ESC.

Malta had its debut in 1971 with a song in Maltese language called "Marija L-maltija" by Joe Grech. The Maltese have only used their native language twice, due to the fact that English is the second official language it has always been used as an advantage. Nowadays every country can chose the language of preference. Over the years Austria has send a song in French, Latvia in Italian or Cyprus in French, so it does not matter anymore. Last year the Maltese entry even had a French title “Je Me Casse”.

But English has been the main language in the Eurovision Song Contest for most of the countries. That's why Malta does not enjoy the language advantage anymore like the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The small islands of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea have about 493.000 inhabitants. For such a tiny country the enthusiasm and the extensive national finals are breath-taking, there is a lot of creativity and there are many talented singers. It’s also worth to mention that the lovely singer Chiara has participated three times for Malta in 1998, 2005 and 2009 and she could achieve one second and one third place.

There has been a long pause of 15 years in the Maltese participation between 1976 until 1990. Then Malta returned in 1991 with "Could it be” by Paul Giordimaina and Georgina and achieved a good 6th place. With this new enthusiasm and energy the Maltese reached a lot of good positions in the years after. Out of 33 participations, Malta reached the Top10 for 14 times, so the chance to reach a Top10 position for Malta is approx. 42%, statistically. The chance to reach the Grand Final is about 50/50.

Unfortunately, Malta has never won the ESC, but made a second place twice and a third place two times as well. Malta is so eager to win the contest one day, rumours said it should be the first open air contest in history. At least Malta won and hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 and thanks to this occasion the Maltese broadcaster could show off a little bit what to expect if Malta wins the ESC, the introduction, the postcards were perfectly made. This is what we could expect if one day Malta will host the ESC.

Biggest successes

• 2x 2nd place
  “7th Wonder” | Ira Losco (Tallinn 2002) 
  “Angel” |Chiara (Kiyv 2005) 
• 2x 3rd place
  “Little Child” | Mary Spiteri (Malmö 1992) 
  “The One That I Love” | Chiara (Birmingham 1998) 

Video Nostalgia

• “More Than Love” | Moira Stafrace & Christopher Scicluna
  Rank 5, Dublin 1994
  
• “On Again... Off Again” | Julie & Ludwig
  Rank 12, Istanbul 2004
  
• “Tomorrow” | Gianluca
  Rank 8, Malmö 2013
  
  

First Rehearsal