Janice Mangion: We are too laid-back and we suffer from weak compositions

For Janice Mangion, this will be the very first Malta Eurovision Song Contest experience. The performer started taking a real interest in singing aged twelve:

“I believe that the voice is a gift from God. You can strengthen it and work on it. But a bad singer can never become a very good singer. Singers with majestic voices like Freddie Mercury, Beyonce, Adele, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Leona Lewis... I admire them all.”

Janice’s entry – which has no backing vocals - is called While Her Eyes Still Glow and she describes it as “a modern ballad, with nothing extravagant with regards to the music”. The song, she says, avoids the repeated chorus bits that are typical of such contest entries:  the chorus is only repeated twice towards the first half of the song.

“I believe a lot in my song and in my voice. Besides, my entry is totally different from the others. This song can really deliver a strong message, that life is too short to not tell the people we love how we feel about them. It shows us how we should appreciate every single moment with our loved ones, because maybe if we keep waiting for tomorrow it will be too late.”

When asked why we don’t do that well in the actual international contest, Janice says that compared to the foreign singers we are still too laid-back.

“We suffer from weak compositions too. If I get the right to represent Malta, I think I would go crazy, screaming and crying . I don’t really care that the contest comes in for a lot of criticism: everyone has their own opinion, you can’t be liked by everyone!”

Getting to know Janice

Music she can’t stand: Anything by Paris Hilton. Can you call it music?

On her MP3 player? Anything that is good music: opera, pop, R’n’B, hip-hop, rap, rock...

Wants to see live: Celine Dion

Favourite gadget: Mobile.

A typical day described: Out at eight in the morning and on the go until nine in the evening, with work, private lessons, singing, gym session, piano lessons and rehearsals fit in between.

Her outfit on the day: elegant.

Favourite fast food: pizza.

Best destination ever: Belgium.

Wants to visit: Hollywood.

Wants to retire: In Hawaii.

Drives: A Toyota Vitz.

Pets? No.

Best childhood memory? Laughing and fooling around with the family.

Best time of the year: Summer, because it is more relaxed.