Ira will make it

I am 14 and a huge fan of Ira Losco. As I was reading the article on Ira Losco by Saviour Testa, I could not help but feel hurt by all the negative vibes I felt as I read on because Ira's dreams are my dreams and although it started off on a positive tone the more I read the more it felt as though this person was absolutely certain that Ira has not got any chance of ever going international.

Then there was this list: "10 reasons why Ira Losco won't hit the big time". After reading this I was on the verge of tears as I was both hurt and angry and I felt that I just had to write and contradict Mr Testa's opinion by my own.

10 reasons why Ira will hit the big time:

"She came second"- the way I see it her placing has not got much to do with whether she makes it or not, partly because most labels do not even follow the Eurovision song contest and partly because I am certain that people who contact Ira do so because they were impressed by her stunning performance and amazing voice and were convinced she could do it.

Placing second was not entirely up to her, but to the people who voted. Thankfully they voted for talent but it could have been otherwise. I think that the result, that is her placing second, will not impress the label companies unless of course they had watched her perform.

"Even if she'd come first she's no Abba" - maybe not but she's sure got talent and an amazing voice that is obviously of professional level and that only a true pessimist can deny.

"She's a Britney Spears lookalike" - that is plain banal and although Britney Spears is by no means ugly one can hardly even try comparing her with Ira.

"She's too nice" - what more can one look for in a singer if not to be nice? Some people literally dedicate their time to finding the odds to everything even when there are no odds at all!

"She's not different enough" - different? Marilyn Manson - that is what I call different! Ira is just fine, every singer is different in an individual way and that difference needs time to show.

"Internationally she's only known through the Eurovision Song Contest. Not the best stepping stone" - well, one has to start from somewhere, the best stepping stone is not always handed to you on a silver platter, you have to work at it and I think that representing your country and placing second after a constant battle till the end with Latvia is superb.

Besides, one does not become known internationally overnight, these things take time which we have got a lot of.

"She doesn't have the financial back-up" - there is no denying that money is essential but I am sure that if she does get the opportunity or there is even the slightest chance that she hits it big the Maltese will be behind her, as always, giving their support all the way.

"The Eurovision is not the gateway to success we in Malta think it is" - that is true. It is not the gateway to success but if anything it is gaining experience, not to mention popularity and even opportunities of contracts abroad.

"Malta has no history of supporting and encouraging its own successes" - well there is a first time for everything, just like she placed second for the first time in Maltese history, there can be a first time for that too.

Personally, I see Ira as someone full of potential and determination and as the saying goes, "where there's a will there's a way!"