Chiara

Chiara Siracusa is the most popular singer from Malta. She has been singing since she was a teenager, although she has never been musically trained she is a great singer-song writer. Across Europe she is now known simply as "The Voice". Chiara first entered the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1998, with the song, the One that I love. Although the song was not one of the pre contest favourites, her simple yet effective performance and song managed to earn Chiara 166 points and was awarded with third place. It was only on the last vote that Chiara lost the competition to Israel's Dana International. Chiara however managed to gain more top votes than the eventual winner.Talking on a documentary about Eurovision on Channel 4 in 1999, Chiara reflected on her experience at the contest in 1998. She said that at first she was very relaxed, but as the votes started to come in and she was in the lead, she became very nervous as she started to wonder what would happen if she was to win, as nobody had ever won for Malta before. However after the voting was over she said she was ok, but then a man from the BBC came up to her and told her "you were the real Diva of the night" and she broke down in tears. What was almost Chiaras, had been taken away from her. When Chiara returned to Malta, she was welcomed home by thousands of people at the Maltese International Airport. The airport had to close for 20 minutes due to the volume of people who had come to see Chiara. However fame and fortune was not on the cards for Chiara. The management contract that Chiara was under meant that she was unable to pursue her careers outside of the Maltese Islands. It was not until 2003 that Chiara was free from this contract.In February 2005 the Maltese Song for Europe was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. With 11,935 votes Chiara won the Maltese song for Europe again with her own composition "Angel". This was the first time that a Maltese artist had won the right to sing in Eurovision twice. The months after winning The Song for Europe and before the Eurovision Song Contest, Chiara embarked on her promotional tour and visited many European states including Greece, Belarus, UK, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania and Belgium. The reception that Chiara received in these countries was warm and enthusiastic. It was on these trips that Chiara earned the title of "The Voice".On 24th April 2005, Chiara released her single for "Angel". The launch party was held at the Bay Street complex in Paceville. The party was attended by fans, family and friends. She performed her song and was the first person to leave their hand print in Celebrity Street in the Bay Street Complex. This is something that Chiara is very proud of. Celebrity Street is about rewarding people in Malta who have done something for the first time or remarkable.At the 50th Eurovision Song Contest held in Kiev, Chiara was rewarded with second place and 192 points… the most points ever gained by Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest. Chiara gave a great performance of her song and appeared at ease and looked confident on the stage. Throughout the song the audience could be heard cheering for her. Although Chiara did not win the contest she did win the Press award for the best song. Speaking about the award, Chiara has said "The award bears a lot of significance because the press can make you or break you." Chiara gave a short interview to the BBC shortly after the contest had ended. She was a little upset but she was pleased to have beaten her own personal record by coming second. On being asked whether she will participate at the contest again she said "last time I was third, this time I was second, next time I will be first no ??". Chiara however has since said that she feels that her luck has been tested too far already and she doubts if she will participate in the contest again.Once again Chiara was given a heroes welcome when she returned back to the Islands. Despite arriving in the early hours, many fans went to the airport to welcome her home.Chiara's current album is entitled "Here I am". Chiara is very proud of the fact that some of the tracks have been written by Diane Warren, who is probably the most famous and successful song writer of the day. Chiara is now busy performing both in and outside of Malta, preparing to embark on her international music career.THIS IS A FAN SITE! RUN BY FANS!THANKS TO JEFF KRISTIAN FOR THE USE OF HIS TRACKS