We are just days away from the first National Final of the 2019 Eurovision Season – the 57th edition of Festivali i Këngës in Albania.  This year sees the return of well known Albanian star Soni Malaj, who has participated in the popular Albanian music competitions such as Kënga Magjike and Top Fest.  She will be competing with the entry ‘Më e fortë’.

We were pleased to catch up with Soni before she takes to the stage next week to talk to her about why she’s decided to enter this year, the meaning of her song and what she intends to bring to the stage!

Hi Soni, welcome back to Festivali i Këngës.  What made you decide to return this year?

It was the song that made me change my mind to finally participate at the festival.

It’s a very difficult competition, it requires to be the best of you artistically and to have beautiful music material that first of all I have to love.

You are no stranger to competitions, having taken part also in Kënga Magjike and Dancing With The Stars, which you were the winner of this year.  How does dancing compare with singing for you and which do you prefer to do?

It’s been 2 decades that I am in the music industry, so I wanted to present myself in front of the public in different artistic dimensions, by singing, dancing, being a judge on the X Factor, choosing amazing talents and presenting important events. As long as I do everything with heart, passion and I put myself 100% into everything I do – I can’t choose.

Your song is called ‘Më e fortë’, could you tell us what it is about and what we should expect performance wise when we see you compete on stage?  Given how upbeat the song is will we see some choreography that will show off your incredible dancing that we saw in Dancing With The Stars?

In English ‘Më e fortë’ means ‘Stronger’, it is an autobiographical song. The authors of the text have written the lyrics from my personal experience in life and my journey in the music industry.

But it is also is a strong message for everyone:

Life has put us down many times and it is important to get up and continue by believing in God, in ourselves in our talent and hard work and to not do nasty compromises. In the centre of the song is a woman who became a fighter, she might be tired of what life had put her through but she hasn’t lost her strength.

The song will be performed by me and with strong dance moves. I will be on stage with my dancers to burn up the stage hahahaha 😄

If you were to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest what would that mean to you and have you watched Eurovision in the past?  What was your favourite Albanian entry?

Yes I have seen Eurovision almost every year and yes, it would be amazing to represent my country in Eurovision. I think all the Albanian singers who have represented Albania have put their 100% in to do their best, so I can’t choose one.

Thank you very much for speaking to me for this interview, I wish you and to everyone who will reads this interview all the best.

Thanks for speaking to ESCBubble Soni and good luck at Festivali i Këngës.

Below you can enjoy her entry ‘Më e fortë’!

If Soni is one of your personal favorites in this year’s Festivali i Kenges, make sure you cast your vote for her, and for up to two other acts in our poll here: