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Olivia Lewis and Gerard James Borg talk to esctoday.com
Olivia Lewis is obviously happy that she finally gets to represent her country in the Eurovision Song Contest. She has competed in Malta Song for Europe since the age of 14 and was the runner-up in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The Maltese victory must have a special meaning for Gerard James Borg, who also has Malta Song for Europe and Eurovision Song Contest experience (he wrote the Maltese entries in 2000, 2002 and 2004): on Friday, his song Love struck, to be performed by the twin sisters Indiggo, was disqualified from the Romanian semi finals.
Olivia Lewis comments:
How does it feel to win finally?
"It feels fantastic, I am so happy to win at last!"
After Klinsman were announced and they were about to announce 2nd place, did you think 'oh no, not again'?
"Yes, I kind of expected it a little, but I thought I could win, and when they said 30,000 i couldn't believe it."
What will you be doing over the next few days?
"I think there will be a strict organised schedule. Ususally there's a week of television shows here in Malta and that's the first week basically, but i dont know [laughs]"
You came through the semi final here and you have to do so in Helsinki, do you think having the semi helped?
"It's kind of prepared us in a small scale for what will happen in Helsinki. I say small scale, because this is well, Malta [laughs]. The venue also helped to get in the frame of mind to sing at the Eurovision because it's such a big event. This is the biggest venue in Malta."
A word about Gerard James Borg, the song writer, what is it like working with him?
"It's great working with Gerard because he's really into eurovision, i mean he studies every countries' songs and listens to the entries; he's wunderful to work with."
Gerard James Borg comments:
How do you feel?
"I can't talk, it's absolutely fabulous. [laughs]"
Where are going to get clothes for Helsinki in Malta?
"I guess we'll have to stop in Norway to get some. [laughs]"
What's in store now for Olivia on her road to the Eurovision Song Contest?
"I'm sure that the board will have a plan and make arrangements for her. It's great to win in Malta, this is my home, and I'm so proud."
After Fabrizio Faniello's last place in the Athens final round with I do, Olivia Lewis will have to enter the semi final in Helsinki.
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I think Isabelle and Indigo (Olivia's sister) would be brilliant as backing vocalists for Vertigo!
backing vocals:nadine,pamela,kevin.
I think we will qualify ( hope so) i can't imagin an esc without Malta. it will not be a eurovision without us!!!
Ay ay ay Malta...
I have to admitt that I am not the biggest fan of Malta in the ESC and this is again one of the usual average songs that Malta keeps sending. I think that this year we'll be the first in many to see an ESC final without Malta...
Hey guys!
The best of luck to Malta from Greece
But Iam kinda 'fraid that there will be no good ranking for that song.
Nevertheless dont be disappointed because noone knows the future
And it is a good thing when someone who does not know the singer
to express an opinion (but in good manner) because in that way you can see
how Olivia will be voted after her performance by the ESC voters.
the ones who come from Malta have heard good songs from Olivia in the past
but all these do not matter when it comes to ESC. Since millions of people dont know her
and will be affected by the first impression of the song and vote respectivelly
Anyway good luck
This song has no chance. Sorry..it's rubush like "I do" from last year! bUt good luck!
Who do you think should be the backing vocalists?
BAD SONG......
Once again, during this busy week ESCMALTA.com organised the SONG FOR EUROPE PRESS AWARDS. For the secound edition some changes where made and this year the awards will also honour the composer and the author of that particular chosen song. Below you should find the 2007 results. A more detailed result will be published soon.
ESCMALTA.com would like to thank all the press members voting in the ESCMALTA.com Song For Europe Press Awards 2007.
BEST OVERALL PERFORMANCE
Vertigo – Olivia Lewis (77)
Starlight – Trilogy (63)
My love – Isabelle (45)
BEST ENTRY 50% COMPOSITION & 50% LYRICS
Vertigo – Philip Vella / Gerard James Borg (638)
Starlight – Paul Abela / Joe Julian Farrugia (625)
L- ImHabba Ghamja – Aldo Spiteri, Trevor Fenech / Claudia Faniello (565)
BEST NEW COMER
1. Isabelle
I'm almost sure that in Helsinki we'll have Joseph and Jes with 3 backing vocals behind Olivia!!! They are ready to fight too keep their place because they are part of the team now!!! jes should work on a splendid and energetic choreography and even the backing should have a slight choreography!! Jospeh should do some slight moves too but of course nothing out of the ordinary as he'll look ridiculous!!
Instead of Joseph better a dancer...whilst dancing he must play the role of a violinist also..backing vocals 2...therfore 3 dancers. The idea of the violin is good but not all the song only in the beginning...and the gong must be eliminated...focus more on strong dance routine
malt ain the semis will remailn!!
The Puse suggestion does not make sense even if Puse is a much better violinist than Joseph Chetchuti, beyond any shadow of doubt. Remember that the performance during ESC is playback, except the vocals. I really don't imagine Puse pretending to play the violin to a recording.
MY COMMENTS!
I think Malta has made a great decision by choosing Vertigo! It is a wonderful song, and I am sure that it will do very well in Helsinki. Powerful music, and interesting lyrics, and the voice ot the artist make it very special. I loved it from the first time I heard it. Watched it on the internet, and have to say that the perfomrance on stage was very good too. 12 points from me, and all my friends here in sweden.
Well done Olivia ... you were amazing! We watched the finals at Hacienda in Paceville ... and I'm telling you .. the crowds were all united .. chanting one name only ... OLIVIA .. before your name was even announced. You are such a strong performer, and you put so much effort in whatever you do. Well done, you deserve this more than anyone else, because you are truly an artist. And you kick ass when you perform live!!!
@ Joe
I don't imagine puse withe VERTIGO! Joseph has all it takes for it! (he is 2 skilled for the job anyway as the violin is playback)
I think the song is good but a better performance must be given and it has to be serious. Instead of Joseph (violinist) I think that he was like making a fool out of it. Can the organization of the song change those two men in the backround? Perhaps our most popular and best violinist can be better George Curmi (Puse' )? Don't get me wrong it's just an opinion. All I'm saying for the best of our song which is going to represent our country which is your country as well - Malta.
I wanted to go to La Valetta in 2008 but my chances are ruined with that song!!! It's not BAD but it's not GREAT either and it won't make a big impact in Helsinki.
Too bad!!!
I think its a good song and it's strong too, I'm sure that a few changes are gonna be done and it will get even stronger. goodluck ;D
It's really quite bizarre and extremely over the top, but that's no bad thing at Eurovision. I really enjoyed the performance, even the funny chap waving his fans about. Certainly different. Well done Olivia and Malta & good luck!
OLIVIA ... YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST!! MAKE US PROUD!!
Great JOB Olivia!!! Keep it up! I Love the song and you can do it very easy through the semi final in Helsinki!!!! Special Thx to all the Crew and Above all To you Olivia!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!! BEST WISHES TO YOU....BY THE WAY.....ITS ABOUT TIME TO SHOW THEM WHAT YOU ARE CAPABILE OF!!!! GO OLIVIA AND BE STRONG!!!
I hope that they make big improvements to the song so that it sounds better! Most importantly, a very strong performance is needed.
Good luck Malta!
I didnt like the song...I heard it once last night...I hope I wont hear it till semifinal.It sounds a bit...cheap 
But Europeans might like it.Good luck Malta
Malta song is powerful,but nothing special.But anyway Malta is very stong Eurovision song country.
I wish you luck Malta
Now we'll see if Europe will have the gutz to leave out Malta from the final, like it was done with Belgium's Kate Ryan last year. This song is a winner!!!
Hey!! Well, what can I say? This year Malta is sending out a very talented singer to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. The song is very catchy and it is likeable ... she beat her runner-up by [b]23,330[/b] votes!! That's Amazing!! I never thaught Olivia Lewis had the chance to win the MaltaSong because of the increasing talent in the Maltese Islands let alone get a total of [b]30,977[/b] and win! Olivia has been trying to get to the ESC for ages and now her wish has come true... I believe that Olivia will give a great performance on that awaited night in Finland! Good Luck!
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