Janice Mangion is a newcomer in the Maltese national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. She is going to try and win the Maltese ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev with the only song sung in Maltese in this competition – “Kewkba”.

We had a small chat with Janice Mangion, where we asked her about “Kewkba” and the team behind it, the rule-change in the national final, as well as some more personal questions in order to get to know her a little better. Read everything she told us in this interview right here:

Hello Janice! Congratulations for making it to the MESC Final! For the start of the interview, can you tell us more about the story behind your song, and the team who worked on it?

“Kewkba” is a powerful modern ballad written in Maltese by Emil Calleja Bayliss, and Mark Scicluna. The story behind the song started off with the title, which in this case came first. It is a song that can be seen on two different levels, on face value the song speaks about a star being the guiding light in someone’s life, while on a figurative level, the star is there representing the person who is in our life ready to provide a helping hand whether physically or spiritually. If you log onto my Facebook Page, you will be able to find a full translation of my entry which was done by the author of the song.

How are you getting ready for the night of the final?

Well, I am working very hard, busy with rehearsals, meetings and every other little bit that’s needed to create as much a perfect performance as possible.

What do you usually do when you are not singing?

Haha! Most likely you would either find me at work, or at the gym.

What do you think of the rule change in this year’s MESC, that only the public will pick the winner?

I am skeptic about it, but in favour at the same time. Here’s to hoping that the public will vote for the best song, the one which gives them a real sensation.

Why should you be the one to represent Malta in Kiev this year?

We have been working night and day to make sure that “Kewkba” is the best it could possibly be. I consider it to be a very powerful song which would compete well with other songs in Kiev. My team says that I am hard working, and when you are surrounded by the right people, then it is impossible not to push yourself forward. My mantra is, we can make this happen.

Who do you think is your biggest competition to win this year?

Oh, I can’t choose just one song! All 16 songs are powerful, and strong in their own way. I believe that one has to make that final assessment during the live performance when everything comes full circle.

Are you currently involved in any other projects?

At the moment, my full focus is on “Kewkba”, but in the months leading up to the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, I worked on “Burnin”, an original song which was published as a single by CAP-Sounds, not to mention being busy with my friends at the Animae Gospel Choir.

We also have a couple of questions for you just to get to know you a little bit better. What would be your favorite book?

Harry Potter

Favorite movie?

The musical, Moulin Rouge

Your own signature dish?

Fish

In a movie about your life, who would be playing you?

Victoria Beckham

What would you bring to a desert island?

My mobile and a portable charger, to pass the time.

Your ideal duet-partner would be?

Joseph Calleja

The last song you listened to was…?

Kewkba (It’s sort of on repeat, right now :P)

Thank you very much for your time Janice, and we wish you the very best of luck at the MESC Final!

If Janice Mangion is your personal favorite in the Maltese selection this year, you can vote for her song in our poll here:

Give a listen to Janice’s entry “Kewkba” right here: