The Eurovision Sue Contest: Grace Borg taking Thea's parents to court
Thea's Nightmare - The singer is at the heart of a number of court cases.
Music manager Grace Borg has confirmed she will be suing the parents of Malta's Eurovision Song Contest representative Thea Garrett over comments they made in the media about her wanting to 'line her pockets'.
Last week she launched proceedings against PBS and the singer herself over management rights.
Ms Borg, a former Malta Eurosong chairman, told The Times that Thea signed an exclusive management contract with her before taking part in this year's local contest.
After she won, Thea signed another contract with Public Broadcasting Services, as is normal practice with Eurosong winners, prompting Ms Borg to file a law suit against the station over what she claims is a breach of her management rights.
Ms Borg also took court action against Thea's parents but since their daughter turned 18, the suit was transferred onto her and she was slapped with an €18,000 garnishee order, just before she flew to Oslo for her first rehearsals.
PBS has since filed a judicial protest accusing Ms Borg of trying to ruin Thea's chances.
"This has created a lot of problems for my business," Ms Borg said, pointing out that the whole affair had made other artistes afraid of working with her.
But Thea's father, Sergio Garrett stands by all the comments he made and says he has all the documentation and receipts to prove it. He accused Ms Borg of trying to "psychologically destroy" his daughter and making their lives "hell". Instead of making money for Thea, Ms Borg "took the little she had from her".
Asked if she was preparing to travel to Oslo to keep an eye on what was happening, as she had suggested recently, Ms Borg said she did not need to because she would know if PBS delivered or not through the result achieved.
She said she had made an offer to PBS to go up to Oslo to support the song through her contacts and expertise but was turned down.
"I'm convinced that when Thea won Eurosong somebody told her parents that they didn't need me anymore. One day I will find out who advised them. I already have a very strong idea."
She also accused the current team present with Thea in Oslo of not having the necessary expertise, adding that this angered her because it was in her interest for the song to do as well as possible.
"If she comes back a winner my contract will be worth more. I'm not sick in the mind. I'm just a businessperson."
Meanwhile, Ms Borg said that when she applied for the job of Eurovision coordinator, the recruitment agency told her that she would have to renounce her management rights.
"So first they acknowledged that it was a problem and now they are just ignoring it," she said.
She said that Thea's parents had only given her and her business partner Andrea Milana a cheque of €200 to support their daughter.
"And we gave thousands of euro worth of our time and energy to get her to perform in various places. We even spoke to agents of people like Gigi D'Alessio and Andrea Bocelli."
Ms Borg pointed out that when Chiara won the local contest in 2005 she had a management agreement with another company and, as Eurosong chairman, Ms Borg held a meeting with Chiara's management to amend the contract to please everyone.
"They came up with us and we worked together. That is how serious professionals deal with these things. And the results spoke for themselves."
Thea will perform the song My Dream during the first semi-final on Tuesday.
104 Comments
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Alfred j.Grima
May 22nd 2010, 18:45
Ms.Borg you should have left it for after the Eurovision.
Contract or no contract, i honestly think that by handling this matter like you have, hinders the chances and performance of Thea.
R Grixti
May 21st 2010, 19:48
mur gibna jkollna namministraw l-interessi ta' xi lady gaga jew beyonce...
j theuma
May 21st 2010, 18:11
Eurovision Sue Contest....!!! Nice title lol
D.MANGION
May 21st 2010, 18:08
@Steve Roberts
Just to point out to you,that Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" album was discarded as sheer trash by 8 major record labels, before it became one of the most classic albums of all time.
Also Italy's own Marco Masini had been snobbed off by several record companies before he eventually became world famous. Some had even described him as "crap", just like you are describing our own Thea. However, eventually Masini dedicated a song to those persons who had discarded him, and it became his most famous song.
You should download it, hear it, understand its words, and dedicate them to your own self. -
That should make you think again before you label any other individual as "crap".
steve roberts
May 22nd 2010, 00:23
Hold on Mr Mangion...I have a feeling that you misunderstood my comments. "crap" refers to the attitude of the artist and her family towards her management. “I think you have to judge everything based on your personal taste. And if that means being critical, so be it. I hate political correctness. I absolutely loathe it.”
R. Gauci
May 21st 2010, 12:23
Minkejja li Mrs. Borg ghandha ragun f'dan kollu, l-mod kif qed tagixxi qed jigbed l-istmerrija ta` hafna, ahjar halliet kollox jghaddi mbaghad kienet taghmel li ghandha taghmel milli qed tippersegwita lil dil-povra tfajla lejlet avveniment hekk importanti ghal hajjitha. Grace ghandha tifla l-eta ta` Thea, suppost taf kif juirragunaw "tfal" f'dik il-faxxa ta` eta. Fl-ahhar mill-ahhar it-telliefa hi se tkun ghax hafna se jumbrawha u r-rispett tan-nies ma tixtrihx bil-flus jew bix-xenati on TV.
Joseph Cassar
May 21st 2010, 11:35
Tibqax taghmel it-teatrini Grace Borg ghax m'inti timpressjonana xejn!!
Richard Sapiano
May 21st 2010, 09:29
Dear Mrs Dis-Grace. My own way to tell you that You are acting too harsh on a girl is to NEVER step in any of the Exotique SHops. Zero Ponts for Grace !
Mrs.Rita Sykes
May 20th 2010, 23:07
Why would anyone let his young son, a young daughter maybe be pressurised, i see it on RAI Uno every saturday, oh yes very talented indeed, but i was recently bruising YouTube, and for some reason or another i watched the tragic life story of Lena Zavaroni and also Karen and Richard of the Carpenters, it actually made feel very sad listening to their tragic story and the way both girls ended up through sheer pressure of the media and the music business, now all these negative comments do not help Miss Garrett let her live her dream without any hindrance from the public, she is a lovely girl,a beautiful girl at that too, i don't know her personally but looking at her eyes in the picture, she wants to live her dream and why not, i hope people lay off and instead rout for her on the day, the girl deserve it at least she had the guts to represent your country, not many would get up there infront of millions. Sort out any problems after the contest and not before,after all its not fair to the young lady now is it my Maltese friends.
S. Calleja
May 21st 2010, 08:49
Because if you are concerned about what other people think about you and fussy about what they say, you shouldn't be a public figure in the first place. You either have got what it takes to succeed, or else grow old waiting for the world to change for you.
M.Weber
May 21st 2010, 10:23
Quite right Mrs.Sykes you tell them, unfortunitlay there are some jealousy people in this world who stops at nothing, but af far as this Mrs.Borg is it i don't know i am not Maltese, thats a different story altogether its up to the locals to sort it just as we do andofcourse the media reports don't seem to help either, they are having a field they as we say, right up their street correct? precisly the same as our latest politics in the UK. Malcolm Weber. Essex.
steve roberts
May 20th 2010, 22:18
TRUST MATTERS
which manager is going to trust this singer? no one.
which record company is going to sign her? no one.
who is going to invest money on her? no one
I worked for 20 years as an A&R for a major label in the UK. I must admit that this business is very ruthless And to be honest this singer has no potential at all. Brushing off her manager is very bad in this business. Thea's career has came to end before it even kicked off. There are hundreds and thousands of better singers out there and no manager and no record company needs this crap.
Anyway Malta will certainly finish in the bottom places. Good luck Thea, because you need it
Norbert Farrugia
May 21st 2010, 13:57
I really wonder how come no one has ever heard about you ? since you are such as EXPERT ?!?!!
Philip Pace
May 20th 2010, 21:50
To all of those who see Ms Grace Borg as a slave mistress or an unmerciful business woman show that you have no knowledge on how the music industry works..
Thea's parents and PBS plus the advising lawyer are wrong in this one.
Sentiments, feelings and other emotions have got nothing to do with when a contract was signed by Thea's parents on her behalf when she was of an illegal age to do so.
Thea's parents did approach Ms.Borg when she younger than 18. Both parties signed a contract as a belief of Thea's talent, so therefore they were working together for the common welfare of Thea's.
Why PBS did not do anything to settle ths problem once Thea won the Eurosong is beyond belief.
Lynn Zahra
May 20th 2010, 20:04
All those in a position to make a decision on programmes and the organisation of Malta's participation in the Eurovision , at PBS are amatures , most of them people who owe their place to their allegiance to the Minister or the PN. They do not have the contacts, the know how,the savoir faire regarding these events , yet the still want to butt in. They easily take offence when one points out they just don't have the experience .
To ignore a person with Grace's contacts in the business media/world proves this point. experience
Mat Muscat
May 20th 2010, 19:54
@Godfrey There is nothing to be afraid of. Grace is right, nothing more nothing less.
MBorg
May 20th 2010, 18:32
@ S Calleja
Guess what ? I read the article again, it states " Ms Borg, a former Malta Eurosong chairman told the Times that Thea signed an exclusive management contract with her before taking part in the year's local contest. "
So unless Thea and her parents are one and the same individual it seems that Ms Borg signed with Thea after all.
S. Calleja
May 21st 2010, 08:55
You are right, but I presume that "since their daughter turned 18, the suit was transferred onto her", the contract now involves Thea not with her parents. One has to check out the contract (none of our business of course), and this will be up to the courts to decide.
Godfrey Camilleri
May 20th 2010, 16:51
I am afraid that Ms Borg is correct in her proceedings and that Thea and her parents are very foolish and shortsighted.
Joseph Vassallo
May 20th 2010, 16:51
Surely, when parents sign such contracts, they are not saying "We undertake that she will do this or that for the rest of her life"; they can't sell her into slavery. Once the daughter is of legal age, she can affirm or withdraw. Young football players are in the same boat with their clubs.
In my opinion, what the parents were saying was "We undertake not to stop her from doing work that you find for her."
If Borg & Milana were (as they claim) actively promoting Thea's career, they knew of Thea's participation and the incumbent rules; having chaired that committee, Borg definitely knew those rules but raised no objections. Thea's entry was not surreptitious or covert, so I don't see that B&M have much to complain about now that she has won without their help.
The questions will be:
(1) Is the parents' contract binding on the minor, Thea?
(2) If in the affirmative, is commission still due since they did not manage or object to her participation
(3) Were B&M delivering on their contractual obligations to obtain stage work for their asset Thea?
I think "No" on all counts.
Mark Soler
May 20th 2010, 17:20
VERY GOOD MY FRIEND. WELL SAID
Joseph Vassallo
May 22nd 2010, 14:02
My apologies because I missed out a word; my question (1) should read
" Is the parents' contract binding on the ERSTWHILE minor, Thea?"
(Meaning now she is of age).
Trevor Borg
May 20th 2010, 16:01
""This has created a lot of problems for my business," Ms Borg said, pointing out that the whole affair had made other artistes afraid of working with her."
Hell after all this who wouldn't be afraid to work with Ms Borg!!!! I wouldn't wish that upon anyone!!!
MBorg
May 20th 2010, 15:58
Just a small question. Thea sign this contract with Grace when she was under the age of 18. Can a person of this age , under 18 , sign a contract ? Is this contract binding ?
S. Calleja
May 20th 2010, 16:05
Read the article again. The contract was signed with her parents.
Karl Abela
May 20th 2010, 15:22
@ Chris Mifsud
With a viewership of over 120 millions persons, the investment of 400 000 euros in the eurovision is a bargain. The money spent is therefore not going to waste. It is an investment which many people fail to see because it is beyond their noses. The investment in eurovision will not pay dividends the next day. What the eurovision does is increase Malta's brand awareness which and, together with other events such as the Isle of MTV, will put us in people's minds when they need to invest or get a holiday. This is what we need to catch up with other countries
m farrugia
May 20th 2010, 15:03
Thea should change the name of the song, it should be ' MY Nightmare'.
C. Farrugia
May 20th 2010, 15:02
What's the legality of a contract signed by parents on behalf of their child, when the said child becomes of age? (18).... Would it still stand?
In my opinion (and not from a legal point of view), in fairness, I believe it should be annulled and a fresh contract agreed upon and signed from scratch. The parents might have signed for something which their daughter was oblivious to (taking in consideration the fact that she was underage and perhaps not knowledgeable at all, or enough, to decide for herself on issues/legalities).
Alex Grima
May 20th 2010, 14:44
I guess Ms Borg is awarding Malta "Nil Point" this Saturday ... Oh right, she cannot cross-vote correct? Or can she?
Loretta Gauchi Anglo/Maltese
May 20th 2010, 16:04
Believe me he is not the only one rewarding Nil Pois! The good times for Malta unfortunitly are over and its time for a new leaf. probably some unknown country somewhere we never heared of. I bet that this is the final for the eurovison for Malta i know i've got sixth sence, its more trouble then its worth.
Chris Mifsud
May 20th 2010, 14:32
Grace Borg does not have much tact in her actions and i may not always agree with the way to do things, but even though she is looking like "the bad guy" it is very obvious to see that she is right. A contract is a contract and even though she may look bad, the fact is that she is in the right.
With regards to the Eurovision, I think I am not alone in believing that it is a complete farce.
Instead of spending OUR 400,000 euros from OUR taxes on something useful, the authorities decided to WASTE this money on the hopless dream that is called the Eurovision
david calleja-urry
May 20th 2010, 15:04
To all those who seem to think that this contest is the height of Malta's achievement for the year.... i've just had a look at the on-line vote on the Times vis-a-vis if Malta will do well or not...of the approx 2000 votes sent in so far aprox. 70% either think Malta won't go to next round, or simply don't care!!!
Like it or not, Grace Borg is a professional and made sure she had a contract protecting whatever investments she made, if Ms. Garrett was a minor, and her parents were not up to understanding what they were about to sign - well they should have engaged a lawyer.
Deo Catania
May 20th 2010, 15:46
what are €400,000 compared to €80,000,000 being wasted in City Gate Valletta?
Miriam Ellul
May 20th 2010, 14:21
Semmghuli kantant jew kantanta, minn li kellna illi ma ghaddietx minn salt tahbit, inkwiet u tgerfix waqt il-Eurovision?? Propja ballun f'saqajn l-organizzaturi jkunu ... jekk mhux naha, ohra! Ma nafx kif kantanta bhal Thea, u bhala hemm xi ftit ohra, jistennew dal-'Eurovison' ghal-exposure!!
Thea bil-vuci li ghandek m'ghandekx bzonn Eurovisions!!! Qieghed jigri illi xi whud jidhlu ghalih b'certu aspettativi u jsibu li hu dizappuntament u nkwiet kontinwu!!!
Joe Fenech
May 20th 2010, 14:04
Thea's father : " Instead of making money for Thea, Ms Borg "took the little she had from her".
What an attitude problem!! He sees Grace as a slave!!! she is an agent and a business woman - THAT'S ALL. And on top, YOU breached the contract.
Joseph Vassallo
May 20th 2010, 16:58
He didn't breach any contract. His daughter chose to go her own way because she is of age now and her career was going nowhere with Grace Borg. Good for her.
John Falzon
May 20th 2010, 14:03
All this reminds me a little of the Merchant of Venice, with Shylock and his pound of flesh and all. Ah, but we all know how that ended up eh?
How much better in life it is to try to achieve a WIN-WIN rather than a WIN-LOSE situation, business or no business..
m.farrugia
May 20th 2010, 13:53
Hbieb inqas diskors aktar ahjar. It-Times on linee tinqara anki barra minn Malta. Jiena nissuggerixi li kull minn ghandu hbieb li jghixu fl-ewropa u ghandhom id-dritt tal-vot jibghat email u jghidulhom sabiex jappoġġaw lil Thea. Jiena hekk se naghmel u inti hemm bzonn li taghmel bhali
Joseph Galea
May 20th 2010, 13:44
@M. Vella - totally correct. Ms Grace contract is a contract and thers no excuses for anyone or for fighting for what is rightfully hers.
The problem is the time this issue was bought forward is not the proper time for Thea or Mr Grace . From Mr Grace own comments she obviously knows that. She will only loose big from all this, Thea might come and go, but Mr Grace business will be greatly hit and no other artists will ever want to use their service, and rightly so if she simply sues everything that moves!
"She said she had made an offer to PBS to go up to Oslo to support the song through her contacts and expertise but was turned down." - maybe this is the real reason of the suing? because she was turned down by PBS? if yes it could explain everything
dvella
May 20th 2010, 13:37
Just Wondering who is next in the list!!!!!! The law courts must be this woman's 2nd home!! Hope she pays the rence at least!!!!
M. Vella
May 20th 2010, 13:13
I think that Grace Borg is quite right under the circumstances. A contract is a contract. What I don't agree with it is the timing.
Let the girl enjoy her brief moment of fame, and then deal with it after!
Joyce Calleja Bayliss
May 20th 2010, 12:57
Thea dear, I know you are reading this so keep smiling and go for it dear.....follow your dream.
Just be strong and enjoy this experience with all your heart because this is 'your golden opportunity'. The rest will be dealt with when the time comes. And we will all support you.
Good luck dear :-)
B Galea
May 20th 2010, 12:31
I do not want to go to the merit of who's right or wrong in this saga. One thing's for sure, I do not approve the way Grace Borg is handling the matter. Business is business, true, but it does not mean to be heartless and hide behind the saying! Just as has been said below, you have a daughter,Thea's age....what would have been your reaction, Ms Grace, if somebody gives the hard time you are giving to someone else's daughter at this critical time of her carrier? Give the poor girl a break.
Any other comments re: Euro.Song Festival are besides the point. I believe that event is a really good promotion for our artistes and our Country... tens of millions would be watching it.
Good luck Thea dear.
Josef Fenech
May 20th 2010, 12:21
Would'nt Thea have benefited form her contract with Grace Borg had she not made it to the Eurovision so fast ! So likewise Thea should honour her contract with Grace! Contracts are binding both ways.
D.MANGION
May 20th 2010, 12:16
Let us just for a moment assume that Mr. Garrett manages to find a legal eagle, who would be able to spot a wrong "comma" on the contract, rendering it meaningless.....
Then the Garretts would be able to sue Grace Borg for damaging Thea's chances to hit success big time.....where the income could just be gigantic. Then the sum for damages suffered could be unlimited.
I think that Ms. Borg is making THE mistake of her lifetime.
One other thing....to the attention of THE TAXMAN.....what is the income coming out of such contracts? How is an artists' income/ loss measured? Is VAT being paid on the income from such contracts? Is the correct amount of taxes being paid on such agreements? Is all the documentation in order at these Graceful houses?
Now that it is established that we are talking about business....I, Joe Citizen expect a full audit of what is taking place in the business of promoting our young talent....and if documentation is not crystal clear....close the house.
One last thing.....The people of Tarxien will NEVER forgive Grace, for what she is doing to one of their finest flowers..... and "NEVER" is a long time.
M.Gauci
May 20th 2010, 12:47
Bang on the head mate.
Well said,.
While we are at it cause a lot is being said here about business persons, I can imagine that a true business person would have weighed the pros and cons of this situation and not just listen to lawers cause it seems to me that Ms. Borg is going to do a lot more harm than good to herself and her business out of this mess, and not just from people from Tarxien but most of the Island.
RMangion
May 20th 2010, 13:09
Well I personally never bought and will surely never buy in the future from Exotique ( but thats another issueee).
Although if we get a bad result now, I am sure that Xarabank will be full of people throwing bad looks at Grace Borg.
Wilfred Camilleri
May 20th 2010, 13:11
She is bound by a legal contract and she is obliged to honour it. What is this nonsense about the taxman and audits? It has absolutely nothing to do with the dispute.
mary Pace
May 20th 2010, 16:43
I come from Tarxien so PLEASE speak for yourselve,but not for me PLEASE!!! I have nothing to forgive grace, because shes in the right, contract is contract & nobody can break it, because you don't like it!!!!
wally vella-zarb
May 20th 2010, 12:12
All our previous flops have been blamed on a whole range of excuses that include hair styling, dress, figure, block voting, neighbours, etc. This year's flop will probably see the introduction of a new excuse: Grace Borg's legal action to protect the rights that she acquired under a legal contract.
Unfortunately a lot of people refuse to admit that the real reason for the coming flop will be exactly the same as the one for all the previous flops: no matter how popular the singer is in Malta, the song is pure crap, C-R-A-P.
M.Camilleri
May 20th 2010, 13:02
Well said! This all boils down to the fact that we are still trying to educate a nation on base matters like manners and literacy, it is obvious that until we get these basics ironed out, there is no chance in hell that we could start competing on a cultural scale. Now some may ay we have valletta and mdina, hundreds of years of culture... In actual fact its borrowed culture from the the Knights, English and who ever we grew crops for over the years. So please stop wasting our funds until we 'THE MALTESE' actually grow.
Joseph Cauchi
May 20th 2010, 11:52
.
One should not just look at this problem from a legalistic point of view but also from a MORALISTIC point of view.
Just my tuppenny contribution to this "comedy of errors"!
Good Luck in Oslo, Thea!
JC.
Jborg
May 20th 2010, 11:47
I hope that next year Malta will be represented in the Eurovision by Grace Borg. Her song will be "Contract or No Contract"! I'm sure all the other countries will vote for us, out of fear of being sued by Malta for failing to do so!!
U halluna, ahjar ic-Champions League u l-World Cup.
Charmaine Chetcuti
May 20th 2010, 11:33
From what I am reading these days, apparently it's PBS who is at fault and not Grace Borg. If Thea signed a contract with Grace she had to honour it. Now if PBS told her to ignore the contract they did not behave in an ethical manner since I do not think that Thea and her parents understand contract regulations like PBS and Grace do.
Grace is simply doing her job.
Norbert Abela
May 20th 2010, 11:19
One thing is SURE. I will NEVER, EVER step into an exotique .
A. Slater
May 20th 2010, 12:19
Although I agree with Grace Borg in this particular case, you should never have to buy from Exotique anyway when you can get things much, much cheaper from Play and Amazon anyway.
mary Pace
May 20th 2010, 11:14
there should be e referendum, for the people to vote, if they want to participate in the eurovision song contest
anymore, I for one vote ''NO'' waste of money!!
lgalea
May 20th 2010, 12:07
mary Pace I agree
Trevor Mallia
May 20th 2010, 13:54
I agree fully. It's a complete waste of time and money. However, once we are there anyway, Goog luck Thea
carlos Agius
May 20th 2010, 11:06
@ Grace you should be ashame of yourself.....I just heard you re a mother and has a grown up daughter bout same age as Thea....I am sure you wouldnt expect same fate befalling you and your family especially at a very important time of one's career....@ the moment she ought to be concentrating with her up coming performance and not thinking of court cases....can u give her a break till when shes gets back HOME.....just be human GRACE.....!!!!!!
Wilfred Camilleri
May 20th 2010, 13:08
Nonsense! A contract is a contract and this has nothing to do with Grace and her family or whether she has a daughter the same age or not. When someone signs a contract they are obliged by law to honour it!
S Bonnici
May 20th 2010, 10:49
ajma x'ugigh ta zaqq! the less you say the better.. cos it seems we'll all be going to court!!
on a different note:
I don't know you Thea... neither do I like the song that much, however I hope that all these 'problems' won't hinder your career because you have a lovely voice. Good luck in all your forthcoming events... may it be the Eurovision song contest, may it be the lawcourts, may it be in your career. May God Bless You.
Tony Gatt
May 20th 2010, 10:46
Since Thea was a minor and her parents had signed the contract on her behalf and since she came of age, doesn't she have a right to renounce to any contract that had been signed on her behalf? Can some legal expert please inform us about this?
mary Pace
May 20th 2010, 11:19
I'm not an expert, but I don't think so, because otherwise, why take the chance & agreed to a contract, when the minor is , say 17! if i do a contract I think twice, that maybe the minor don't like it & say when she 18 tear the contract up!! ( hope you knpow what I meqan!)
Ramon Casha
May 20th 2010, 10:37
Grace Borg has every right to take action. Thea's parents signed a contract, and they cannot unilaterally decide to tear it up. When the two parties signed that contract, Grace Borg would have started investing time, money and effort in Thea's career. In return, she was promised exclusive management rights.
My advice is: always read a contract fully and don't sign it unless you're prepared to accept its conditions when things turn ugly.
The only thing I'm uncertain about is the fact that Thea was a minor when the contract was signed, and is an adult now. Unless she signed the contract herself once she turned 18, can she legally be held to its conditions?
Mary Mizzi
May 20th 2010, 10:10
Oh Shut Up Grace!
Give the girl a chance, Thea is our Prima Donna, not you. Let her concentrate onher performance please.
All the Best of Wishes Dearest Thea, You can do it !
Joe Fenech
May 20th 2010, 10:24
Had Thea had a big production company behind her, things would be worse.
Evelyn Curmi
May 20th 2010, 12:02
Minjaf kieku kont int li nvestejt f'Thea x'kont tghid??
Jekk hemm kuntratt ghandu jigi onorat. Allahares kienet xi production house kbira barranija!
Joe Fenech
May 20th 2010, 10:06
Thea's parents should get a music business expert to advise them. NO ONE is lining his pockets here. You've breached a contract and you should expect nothing less. Now by resorting to slander you're making it worse yourselves!
S. Calleja
May 20th 2010, 09:56
A contract must always be honoured unless (i) it is changed by agreement of all parties involved, or (ii) if specific cancellation/exit clauses are explicitly stated in the contract and/or (iii) the court decides that the contract is fully or partially illegal.
That is the basis of all human and business transactions. When you sign a contract, you make the law a guardian of the parties' commitment to each other, and failing to honour it will be punishable by law, and the suffering party would have a legal right for compensation.
Mark Vella
May 20th 2010, 09:56
Hehehehehe, Eurovision Sue Contest... Heheheh tajba... Eurovision Flus fil vojt Contest... Eurovision ahjar nissupportjaw naqra bands suret in nies flok nibatu dejjem l'istess diski u dejjem naqaw ac cajt Contest...
marthese mussett
May 20th 2010, 10:14
tajba mark
mary Pace
May 20th 2010, 11:21
That's the most sensible comment ,there is WELL DONE!!!!
Mark Soler
May 20th 2010, 09:52
Well said my friend. Good day
Mark Soler
May 20th 2010, 10:01
"This should have been a reply to @G.Pisani - Ms.Borg, please stop this as you might regret everything you are doing now. I know and understand a contract should be honored but you have to see if it is worth all the hassle and more time you are going to put out.
Remember you are fighting in your business's name and most Maltese love the eurovision!, if you ruin this for the Maltese your business will be remembered for this and that could cost you more money!"
Not to A.A. Caruana
MT Caruana
May 20th 2010, 09:46
Jien nahseb li Grace ghandha ragun biex tbieh, pero li kieku kont minflokha, ghalissa kont nieqaf mil qorti ghal raguni wahda, nassumu li Thea tmur hazin, x'ha jigri? Jew ahjar x'ha jghidu hafna nies? Li tort ta' Grace Borg ghax ghamlet hafna stress fuq Thea.....so ghalissa niqaf min kawza u wara eurovision taghmel dak li hu bi dritt taghha li jsir, ghax facli li nparlaw u nakuzaw lil Garce Borg imma min jaf li kieku konnha ahna min flokha x' konnha naghmlu!!!
Hadt ma ghandu jinsa li kuntratt huwa dejjem kuntratt.
J Farrugia
May 20th 2010, 09:53
Jghidu li jridu ghax ir-raguni ma tridx forza. U nghiduha kif inhi. Id-diska taghha mhux ser tkun success. Dan assigurat. Grace Borg f'dan il-kaz ghanda ragun biex tbiegh. Trid tidhol f'mohhna din li meta hemm kuntratt, il-kelma trid torbot u mhux nilghabu skond kif jaqbel lili.
Miguel Micallef
May 20th 2010, 10:03
Ma jinteressani xejn mil-eurovision ghax sincerament mhux ta kwalita u livell, pero' f dal-kaz naqbel mija fil-mija maghkom u Grace,ghalkemm nahsbe li l-ewel darba li qed insib ruhi naqbel ma' Grace! :) Kuntratt kuntratt u jekk ma kienux jafu x 'qed jiffrimaw mhux problema u tort ta' Grace.
MT Caruana
May 20th 2010, 10:13
@J Farrugia
Ma tistax tghid x ha jigri, personalmet ghandi grazzja ma Thea,tidher tifla simpatika, imma diska ma kinitx xi favorita tieghi, imma issa hi hemm, so nispera li tmur tajjeb. U nispera ukoll li tiranga kollox ma Grace ghax wara kollox dan kollu inkwiet zejjed ghal both parts.
G Pace
May 20th 2010, 09:46
While I do understand that a contract is a contract I thinks its unfair to send off the singer with such pressure. Things should have been discussed earlier, not on the eve of the contest.
I would have expected a more "human" approach from a person that "loves" this particular contest.
Im not a Eurovision fan. In fact I think the level is simply depressing. But I still support my country no matter who is singing what.
Louise Cassar
May 20th 2010, 09:41
If I were in Grace Borg's position I would be doing exactly the same thing - business is business and rules have to be adhered to. And yes of course Thea had to pay 200 Eur to sign the contract, nothing comes for free! I actually think that that's a very fair price to pay!
Would anyone here standing up for Thea break your work contract there and then, just because you found a better job, and not expect to face circumstances? If so, let me know which world you live in, I would like to join your Utopia!
I can't wait until the Maltese Institutions realise what a waste of money this Eurovision is and stop participating - the money could be MUCH better spent on Maltese artists in music contracts and exposure in a more general and international sense, rather than a huge waste of money on one festival that we all know we will never win.
Joseph Scerri
May 20th 2010, 10:45
It is better if people see the world through clear glasses than dark glasses!
A.Rapa
May 20th 2010, 10:48
To all those who say that this contest is a waste of money i say, you are talking crap. Whether we like it or not, most of us see it, and same thing happens around all europe. So whoever has an idea about how nation marketing works, will understand that the money spent is worth it, since you get millions watching the show and no matter who is singing or what song we have or were it places, we are getting publicity and in turn, tourism which is our blood in our veins.
Louise Cassar
May 20th 2010, 11:32
So you would rather spend millions just so you can watch a show on TV for one night, rather than invest those milions in local artists?
Nice, I can see the future in your - a very bleak one! A bunch of couch potatoes listening to music we've all heard before!
John Vassallo
May 20th 2010, 11:38
Tourism from the Eurovision Song Contest?? Are you serious?? I would much rather invest in proper marketing on other TV stations abroad rather than a Eurovision Song Contest, just in case a few people get interested after watching a ballad (once again!) from Malta! They must think we're really boring and watch soap operas all day!
When I used to live in the UK there used to be an advert about Malta, I'm sure it cost money however it was worth it, because that was a real advert for Malta and not some silly contest. This is what needs to be invested in for tourism!!
John Borg
May 20th 2010, 09:38
People with a fat purse use their money power for all their causes. They want to run the show no matter what. This is always the same with certain people. It's me or nothing.
S. Calleja
May 20th 2010, 10:16
Then work hard, study hard, risk your money and start a business, live frugally or do whatever it takes to fatten your purse and be exactly in the same position. The opportunities are open for everybody, even to the ones who're complaining all the time.
A VElla
May 20th 2010, 09:36
Jien mghid li Grace Borg ghandha ragun. Jekk kien hemm kuntratt qabel imissu gie onorat mhus tiffirma kuntratt iehor. U taf x'naf li meta kien hemm Grace Borg fil-Malta Eurosong konna mmorru tajjeb ghax hi businesswoman tajba u taf minn fejn ghandha tghaddi, u minn mindu hi m'ghadiex fil-kumitat morna l-bahar!!
JOHN O SCERRI
May 20th 2010, 09:33
Amazing what HOBBIES one may take up, and they say model aircraft and diving are expensive..!!!!!!!!!
J Cardona
May 20th 2010, 09:33
Apparently its sheer pleasure doing business with Ms. Borg !!!
Are you going to sue me for my comment too Ms. Borg ?
I hope you don't mind graceful comments too !?!
Noel Zarb
May 20th 2010, 09:29
I think Grace Borg is acting like any other businessperson would...irrespective of this being a competition, what is right is right.
U cannot exactly give grace the DIS-Grace nickname, because I think in all of EurovisioN History, Norman Hamilton and Herself were the best Chairpersons of Maltasong, and this is clearly shown in the results we achieved, 3rd Place in 1998, Passed the first ever Eurovision Semifinal in 2004, andmade it through to the final of 2005, and 2nd Place in 2005.
A.Rapa
May 20th 2010, 10:39
That's because we had a relative good song and luck not because of Norman & Grace... N&G (Chairmanship) Promotions.
joseph aquilina
May 20th 2010, 09:24
I think all the attention given to the eurovision is ridiculous.look at the voting and the standard.laughable.nevertheless leave the poor girl alone.big shame on you .common sense never prevails here.what are we like........
Sandro Falzon
May 20th 2010, 09:22
Dear DIS-Grace, taf tisthi jew !!! Unbelievable.
Albert Farrugia
May 20th 2010, 09:22
..is it just me? i am smelling disaster next Tuesday...something tells me that we have come to the end of the line as far as Eurovision goes...this might well be our last participation..
Keith Goodlip
May 20th 2010, 12:11
The Eurovision Song Contest is still worth it, winning it or not. The €400K spent on the ESC is a small price to pay for all the advertising Malta might gets during the whole event.
Sharon Camilleri
May 20th 2010, 13:59
that will be the day when we stop taking part in this useless euro... Better give money to bands who can write and produce much better songs and albums!
Ganni Ellul
May 20th 2010, 09:14
Did the so called music manager advice Thea that if she wins the Eurosong contest in Malta the contract being signed could be a problem? She got 200 euros from Thea's parents for what? a couple of emails?
M Bugeja
May 20th 2010, 09:35
@ Ganni Ellul
I believe Thea's parents paid far more than the EUR200 she mentioned. Don't forget we have never heard the other part of the story so far
G.Pisani
May 20th 2010, 09:14
Ms.Borg, please stop this as you might regret everything you are doing now. I know and understand a contract should be honored but you have to see if it is worth all the hassle and more time you are going to put out.
Remember you are fighting in your business's name and most Maltese love the eurovision!, if you ruin this for the Maltese your business will be remembered for this and that could cost you more money!
Mario Delia
May 20th 2010, 09:11
Ms Borg wants to be the centre of attraction all the time....!!! Ufffffaaaa!!!!
Matthew Borg
May 20th 2010, 09:08
I can bet my bottom dollar that Grace Borg will be watching this space very carefully so that any potential comment perceivably out of line will be subject to a court case!
mary Pace
May 20th 2010, 11:12
If she does, she have a right! I bet you do the same ,if you were in her shoes!!!!
Mike Knight NZ
May 20th 2010, 17:01
What would you do if you were in Mrs.Borg's shoe? i would probably do the same, if one put a great deal of effort and hard work, why shouldn't one be rewarded, there is no such thing as a free meal no adays. and lets face it a contract is a contract otherwise its not worth the paper is written on right? i not bias but fair is fair i'm sure something will work out. Mike D Knight Otara/Auckland /NZ. (PS.Love your country)