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Back in 1998, a relatively unknown singer walked out onto the stage of the Malta Song for Europe contest. Humble and sincere, she sang a song called ‘The One That I Love’. That performance reached into people’s hearts enough for her to win the competition and the right to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham. Chiara took to the stage in Birmingham, on 9 May 1998 with a strong and determined personality. She sang her heart out to a rapturous audience.

She led the voting process right up to the very end where she was pipped at the post by Dana International in the very last stages of the ever-controversial voting process. She finished in third place. Chiara had become a star and was in demand. However, due to weak management and a lack of preparation, her music career did not flourish. Unable to get herself released from a stale contract, Chiara spent the next five years in a musical wilderness having only her national market to rely on. During this time she won the ‘Best Female Artist’ at the 1998 Malta Music Awards and released three albums on the local market. Her highlight was performing with Leo Sayer and Boney M in concert in 2000 and 2001 respectively. In 2003, things rapidly changed for the better. Once her contract expired, Chiara was free to choose for herself and signed up with Bridge Productions, and worked on a new album. Her new album consists of a number of songs written by internationally-acclaimed songwriters hailing from Sweden, Belgium and the United States ­ including none other than Diane Warren who is undoubtedly one of the most successful songwriters ever.

In the process, she developed her song-writing skills to write the beautiful ballad ‘Angel’ which she entered for the Malta Song for Europe Festival 2005. Stronger and more determined than before, she performed magnificently to reach out and touch everyone’s heart. Seven years after her international debu in Birmingham, she once again stepped out onto the Eurovision stage, to represent Malta at the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev. She placed second, just a few points behind the winning song for that year.

After the great result in the 2005 ESC Chiara has been working a lot around the Island and abroad, especially in Greece and Cyprus. Another highlight was the presentation of the Malta Song for Europe and supporting act during a Michael Bolton concert in Malta both in 2008. The most important change in Chiara’s life however was of course the birth of her daughter Ebony. The loss of her father late 2008, who has always been very supporting for Chiara, was a tough period, but as a tribute to her father, she was determined even more to achieve another success in her career.

2009 marked once again the return of Chiara to the Malta Eurosong finals with 'What If We' written by Gregory Bilsen and Marc Paelinck. Backed by the Maltese people she will once again step out onto the Eurovision stage, to represent Malta in Moscow.

NEWS UPDATES from MaltaMedia.com
  • Malta Eurosong semi-finalists announced - 5 December 2009
  • Malta to pick Eurovision entry on 20th February 2010 - 20 November 2009
  • Request for change in Eurosong rules dismissed - 18 November 2009
  • Malta Eurosong selection process paralysed - 7 November 2009
  • Crisis in Eurovision Song Contest? - 24 October 2009
  • PBS reveals rules for Eurosong 2010 - 5 October 2009
  • Double Trouble for Junior Eurovision Song Contest - 13 September 2009
  • Icelandic Eurovision hopeful Haffi Haff in Malta - 4 July 2009
  • Eurovision final disappointment for superb Chiara - 17 May 2009
  • Chiara approaches wide open contest at Eurovision 2009 - 16 May 2009
  • Stiff competition for Malta at 2009 Eurovision - 14 May 2009
  • Chiara returns Malta to Eurovision final - 12 May 2009
  • Final preparations for Eurovision 2009 semifinal - 12 May 2009
  • Moment of hesitation for Chiara at Eurovision rehearsal - 11 May 2009
  • Red carpet treatment for Chiara in Moscow - 11 May 2009
  • Chiara feels at home in Moscow - 10 May 2009
  • "If I would win it would be my happiest day of my life" - Chiara - 8 May 2009
  • Philip Kirkorov says Chiara has haunting voice - 8 May 2009
  • Chiara to wake up Russian radio listeners - 7 May 2009
  • Malta ready to host the 2010 Eurovision final, says Chiara - 6 May 2009
  • Chiara hopeful after Eurovision Song Contest rehearsal - 4 May 2009
  • Chiara all set for Moscow stage rehearsals - 3 May 2009
  • EurovisionMalta.com to cover events in Moscow - 2 May 2009
  • My child will stay in Malta, Chiara says - 28 April 2009
  • Chiara meets Maltese community in Belgium - 21 April 2009
  • Malta draws wildcard in Eurovision running order - 16 March 2009
  • Chiara to represent Malta at the Eurovision again - 7 February 2009
  • Malta to pick its 2009 Eurovision song on Saturday - 7 February 2009
  • 182 entries submitted for Malta Eurosong 2009 - 15 October 2008
  • New voting system for Eurovision Song Contest - 18 September 2008
  • No Maltese participants in Eurovision Dance Contest - 6 September 2008
  • PBS selects EuroSong advisory team for Eurovision - 26 June 2008
  • Maltasong succumbs to new PBS directors - 5 June 2008
  • Morena's Eurovision adventure comes to an end - 25 May 2008
  • Eurovision final no show draws mixed reactions - 24 May 2008
  • Eurovision disaster sparks cultural debate in Malta - 23 May 2008
  • Malta fails to make it to Eurovision 2008 final - 22 May 2008
  • Intersting Facts:
  • Georgia has withdrawn from the 2009 edition, expressing dissatisfaction with the disqualification of its entry We Dont' Wanna Put It on grounds that it could pose an offence to the host country.
  • As of 2009, the country which has entered the longest with no wins to their name is Portugal. They started entering in 1964, and are still awaiting their first win.
  • Finland never won the Eurovision Song Contest before 2006. In 2006 Finland took part for the 40th time.
  • In 2009 Malta is presenting its 22nd entry.
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