Destiny Chuckunyere was yesterday mobbed by fans on her return to Malta following her triumph in Bulgaria, where she won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night.

Inspired by soul legend Aretha Franklin, the 12-year-old singer of Nigerian descent is the second Maltese youngster to win this prestigious festival in the space of three years, following Federica Falzon’s victory in 2013.

Apart from her amazing voice, the success was all the more resounding when considering that she wrote the lyrics to the winning song, entitled Not my soul.

The young singer, who performed alone on stage, managed to beat out the nearest rival from Armenia to claim the ultimate prize.

Though it may be early days, she has made no secret of the fact that her next ambition is to represent Malta in the senior event – the Eurovision Song Contest, in which a victory has so far eluded Maltese singers.

I told her what did you do and she apologised. I told her I was joking, and now it is in your hands, Edward Scicluna

Meanwhile, political leaders, the President and even Archbishop Charles Scicluna yesterday congratulated Ms Chuckunyere on her success. While wishing her well during an official government event in Vittoriosa, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat saw the funny side of the right that comes with winning the contest: the Finance Minister will have to find the money to host next year’s event. “I told her what did you do and she apologised. I told her I was joking, and now it is in your hands, Edward Scicluna,” Dr Muscat remarked. “Destiny, the 12-year-old soul singer, did us proud,” he added.

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