If you’re a fan of Eurovision then we really don’t need to introduce Malta’s Chiara Siracusa. One of the most successful Eurovision contestants ever, she came third in 1998 (losing to Dana International) and second in 2005 (finishing behind Helena Paparizou). When she returned in 2009 fans went crazy. Not even her 22nd-place finish could dampen their love for this diva from the Med.
So when she came to the UK in July to perform at Eurofest — London’s hottest Eurovision club night — we just had to chat with her. Special Eurofest correspondent Vaughn S cozied up to Chiara ahead of her performance and they talked about everyting from her album LOLZ to her experience almost winning to her edgy (and very pink) hair. You can watch the full interview below.
Chiara Interview at Eurofest UK
On her fame in Malta
“It’s very difficult to have a private life. On such a small island, when you get into this scene you give away a lot. But in time you get used to it. It’s nice because you do get pampered…it’s good to be Chiara on a small island!”
On her wild hair style and edgy look
“I’ve always been this kind of person, but for Eurovision they always try to tone you down. This is the real me. This is how I feel comfortable.”
On her snub from Macedonia
In her three appearances at Eurovision, FYR Macedonia has never awarded her any points. “I’ve finally accepted that I’m not their kind of music,” she says.
On losing to Dana International
“For me it was very disappointing. I remember before the last votes, Kevin Bishop [a producer] from the BBC came up to me and said take off your tag because you’re going to sing again. Then all of a sudden the cameras turned to Israel and she won…I remember going to my dressing room and crying and not wanting to see anyone.”
On “What if We”
“My father had just passed away, and before he passed away he expressed the wish for me to go back to Eurovision and he said, ‘I believe you can win this festival.’ That was done for him.”
Chiara 😀 Our beloved three time contestant. She has been twice so close to win the whole Eurovision! I hope she will able to try again in the near future.
For me her first two songs are overrated in voting.
In 1998 My TOP 3 are UK, The Netherlands, Croatia
In 2005 My TOP 3 are Israel, Romania, Hungary
In 2009 My TOP 3 are France, Russia, Armenia
Chiara has to try again…! <3 😀 To finally see her winning the Vision after her big failure in 1998 but in 2005 as well it will be the most GreAtY feeling ever..! <3 If she decides to give it one more chance with a truly winning material song this time {*What If We* of 2009 although great song was NOT winner material song..} hopefully she will get awarded & have her victory! <3 I really want to see Chiara as the big Winner of EuroVision! <3 No any other maltese act except just only dear Chiara has to achieve… Read more »
@ hehe WTF 😛 😉
The thriller voting that we had on 1998 we experienced it one more time 5 years later on the Vision of 2003 with these 3 countries to be Turkey-Belgium & Russia this time..
The Winner Turkey with Sertab had won with a gap of just 2 points from the 2nd runner up Belgium with Sanomi & 3 points from the 3rd Russia with Tatu..
Sorry but “Diva” is an iconic song of Eurovision ……. Deserved to win, heard it on the radio soon ….. I believe non of Chiara’s song have been on the radio in other countries but Malta, so at the time it might have seemed wrong but Dana deserved it !!!!!! The song spoke for itself
Neither Israel nor Malta deserved to win in 1998, UK and Netherlands had the best entries, easily.
Also “Now i wonder how many maltese people are gay…I guess that there are dozens thousands..”. Hahahahaha, Mario strikes again…
I really do not want to imagine how dear Chiara must felt in the Vision of 1998 at the end of the voting! :(( After the almost last country had voted she was the winner on the scoreboard & ALL countries (except only one) had given her points.. BUT…To Chiara’s big shock horror when she was about to stand up & go to sing again live on stage her reprise winner song the last country that announced its top10 points did NOT give to her any points & even gave many points to the other 2 hot favorites opponents of… Read more »
She looks like a trucker who is into glam metal a bit too much lol. Judgement aside, if she’s happy with her look that’s all that matters.
Dana’s song in 1998 was trash, she should have won that year, but she had nothing on Helena in 2005.
I prefer a person’s look if they are happier to look that way. And she looks great anyway.
@Mario, India is FAR more populated than Malta. In 2050 it is predicted to become the most populated in the world.
she didn’t say much about 2005… to be honest no one said that it was gonna be between malta and greece. It was all about Greece Switzerland Romania Netherlands and Hungary.
Well indeed…Malta is one of the most populated countries in the world…It is so tiny small island but has huge population…Over 445.000 maltese residents! It is the 7th most populated country by density in the planet! (Even other heavily populated countries with not big land like Bagladesh & India are less populated than Malta!) I would NOT want to live in Malta only 4 this reason alone.. It would be like not living in an actual country but in a big village that everyone knows everybody! 😛 Now i wonder how many maltese people are gay…I guess that there are… Read more »
Ouch that 2005 moment sounds harsh…
Her 1998 esc song *The One That I Love* was so beautiful <3 Really pity that 1998 was so strong year with 3 amazing songs like hers, Israel's *Diva* & UK's *Where Are You*.. She was devastated because she was expected to win from the outcome of the voting until the last voting country.. But at the very end she just missed the victory! FYR that was the last country that announced the voting points gave to Chiara big fat zero! And it was just one from the only 2 countries that did not vote Chiara's song! I guess that… Read more »
All the Maltese have the same accent xD