Sunday, 4th May 2008
Vodka singer turns down vodka sponsorships
Malta's Eurovision ambassador Morena wants to lead by example and has turned down two generous sponsorship offers from international vodka companies.
The 24-year-old Gozitan told The Sunday Times she had been contacted by two companies who wanted her to pose in advertisements.
She said that although what they were offering was "substantial", she turned them down immediately because although her song is called Vodka, the song did not promote drinking.
"Their offers were substantial but I immediately refused because the last thing I want to do is promote alcohol. I do not drink. Instead I stick to my favourite beverages: water and peach Nestea," she said when contacted.
"My message throughout the song is that you can still enjoy yourself and have a good time without alcohol. And the same applies to drugs," she said.
Pressed for further information on what she had been offered, Morena did not divulge specific details, saying it was a mix of money, promotion and payment for the song's video.
Morena, who will be competing in the Eurovision Song Contest in Serbia later this month, said she did not need alcohol to enjoy herself.
This year all the 43 competing countries, with the exception of Serbia, last year's winner, and the Big Four - Germany, the UK, Spain and France - will start off on the same footing and will first have to make it through the semi-finals.
Due to changes introduced this year by the European Broadcasting Union, there will be two semi-finals.
Morena will be competing against 19 countries in 16th position, during the second semi-final on May 22. The final will then be held on May 24.
On the night, Morena will be accompanied by four male Swedish dancers who are expected to arrive in Malta this week to kickstart rehearsals.
She joked that during the rehearsals she might learn a few moves to surprise her viewers.
Unlike other years, Morena's promotional tour has only covered Ukraine, Latvia and London - the countries which invited her to participate in Eurovision-related events.
She said the feedback she had received in these three countries was "very good", but added this did not mean much because of the restricted audience.
"Good feedback in just these three countries is nothing to write home about. I plan to focus on my song and performance, go to Serbia and do my best for my country," she said.
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Comments
I do not feel that Morena refused the deal because of the Catholic church's influence! The Catholic church does NOT condemn alcohol but, as most other organisations, countries, religions, etc , it speaks against ABUSE of alcohol; it does not speak against alcoholics either. It is Islam which prohibits alcohol. The church does not condemn the individual but the action. For the Catholic church, as most other religions, the human being's dignity is the centre of everything. Does anybody really and truthfully expect any state to "show interest in our local talent and start promoting it?" So, please, DO crticise the Catholic church, why not, but on facts and not suppositions.
Good Luck Morena, and if you are offered a good deal.........just take it for the sake of future talents
In a feel-good film or book, there is often a hero who single-handedly solves a major problem, but in real life problems are often alleviated (not solved completely) thanks to the work of hundreds, or millions, of people.