Details of staging teams have began to emerge in the run-up to rehursals starting next month. Malta’s Michela becomes the latest to announce the team that will be putting her staging together. The all-star team includes Ambra Succi and Front Pictures, who between them have two Eurovision-winning performances in their portfolios.
Having remained relatively quiet since the release of “Chameleon” back in March, Michela has shared some very exciting news about her staging for Tel Aviv! She has revealed that she will be working with Ambra Succi, who worked with Loreen on her performance of “Euphoria” back in 2012 and Poli Genova for her performance of “If Love Was A Crime” back in 2016. Both are still remembered for their excellent choreography, so we have high hopes!
To add to the hype, it has also been revealed that the graphics have been designed by Ukraine’s Front Pictures. The design studio had previously produced Jamala’s LEDs for her winning performance of “1944”, including THAT tree.
The 18-year old star had recently cancelled her pre-party appearances in London and Amsterdam to focus on preparing for Tel Aviv. She has been rehearsing in Sweden for the past week, once again cementing that “Chameleon” is an international effort, very much in the spirit of the contest.
Who is Michela?
The 18-year-old rose to fame in Malta after wowing the public with her powerful vocals in the X Factor Malta. Back in January, she won the competition, and by extension, the ticket to represent Malta in Tel Aviv. In addition to Eurovision participation, she also signed a record deal with Sony Music Italy. Although praised for her emotive and explosive performances of ballads throughout the competition, she surprised fans by dropping one of the most popular up-tempo dance songs of the season.
She will be competing to bring Malta back to the Grand Final for the first time since 2016, performing in 11th place in the second semi-final on 16th May.
Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest
Malta first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 with Joe Grech and his song, “Marija I-Malitja”, which finished in last place with 52 points. They also finished last on their second attempt in the contest in 1972. After a third appearance in 1975, Malta withdrew from the contest until 1991, when they returned and finished in sixth place with 106 points.
Since their return in 1991, Malta has finished in the top three on four occasions – Mary Spiteri with “Little Child” in 1992 and Chiara with “The One That I Love” in 1998 which both finished in third place, and also Ira Losco with “7th Wonder” in 2002 and Chiara with “Angel” in 2005, which both finished in second place. Malta has not yet won the contest, however.
In 2018, Malta failed to qualify for the second time in a row with Christabelle’s “Taboo”, which finished 13th in the second semi-final with 101 points. Christabelle also became the last participant to be selected for Eurovision via the Malta Eurovision Song Contest national final format. They have since confirmed that The X Factor Malta will return for a second season this year.
Are you looking forward to seeing Chameleon’s staging? Will Michela follow in Loreen and Jamala’s footsteps? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! We’ll also be posting plenty of content on our YouTube channel in the run up to Tel Aviv!
