Miriana Conte from Malta will serve: "You're in for a good show"

There are always two possibilities with Eurovision and the non-qualification streak (or the other way around, of course). On one hand, and subjective to anyone's opinions, a country may not be submitting the strongest entries for a while. On the other hand, it may just be that the size or status of a certain territory just doesn't speak to the heart to the Eurovision viewers.

It'd be hypocritical to say that Eurovision is always fair and that the second option doesn't play a part in a country's success in the contest. The small island of Malta has been going through a wave of poor results since 2022, and even 2021 if we consider the high expectations set for Destiny's entry, "Je Me Casse," which ended up with only 47 points from the public.

Last year's complex performance from Sarah Bonnici failed to qualify and ended up in last place in its Semi-final. It's Miriana Conte's turn to attempt to reverse the trend.

The Maltese singer was the very first face from the Eurovision 2025 season that got introduced to a wider audience due to her song "Kant" (now "Serving"), which went viral on TikTok even before the Maltese national selection competition that, without many surprises, she ended up winning. Yet, don't think for a second that she didn't work hard for the victory. This was her fifth attempt at going to Eurovision.

The few chances to break out of the country are the main trigger that motivated her to not give up and keep on trying, and now that she's here she'll do everything she can to enjoy the ride:

– Even though we are a small island, we have great artists, great vocalists and dancers. We have a lot of talent to offer, but the opportunities are very limited, she says.

– Eurovision is the best platform in Malta so it has been a big dream of mine since I was a little girl. Even by then, when I was only one, I'd already be singing Ira Losco's "7th Wonder," believe it or not.

– I know it's cheesy to say this but I don't know myself without singing. Actually, my mother always tells me that my first word wasn't spoken but sung.

With a growing passion for music, at the age of five Miriana's mother took her to singing lessons:

– I told her I want to be a star. She took me and here we are!

Growing up

Throughout the past attempts what she calls "constructive criticism" (and not only) consolidated her knowledge and talent. Participating in the Maltese X Factor, for example, was crucial:

– I was put twice in a girl group so I learned harmonies and how to work better within a team.

Doesn't it get frustrating to have to prove yourself over and over again?

– You always aim for the best and you can look at your previous experiences and understand where you could've done better. You have to be perseverant.

You have to be perseverant.

– I know there are people who try once and don't win and never go back out of pride. We're human, it's normal, but you should always try to be the best version of yourself.

Constructive criticism wasn't always the point. Since an early age Miriana had to start dealing with negative comments. The very first time she competed in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, at the age of 16, she was body shamed:

– At 16 I built this shell around me and now you can throw anything, it will bounce back. Divas can never be put down, she says.

– My journey has been of highs and downs just like my song and my Eurovision journey.

"Kant" or "Serving" is an empowering pop song that, besides being extremely upbeat, is also personal to Miriana. It's about being yourself even when society asks you not to:

– People who know me know I am this ball of energy, the clown of the group, she laughs.

– Growing up I always felt very secluded because of that. People would usually ask me to shut up, and I'd usually get in trouble in school because my brain was always all over the place, but the one thing I could focus on was singing. I've always served kant.

From "Kant" to "Serving"

"Kant" in Maltese means "singing." It's obviously a play-on-words that sounds just like an obscene word in English. The expression, also sung by Miriana, has been popularized by the Queer community who usually say it in order to praise someone. But although last year's "Zorra" was fit to compete, this year the EBU said no and asked the Maltese delegation to adjust the song.

It's now "Serving":

– When we got the news, I didn't even had time to process it because we were shooting the music video, more specifically during the table scene, she shares.

– We had two scenes left and it was already 10 o'clock, so I was like "let's just continue." I was a bit surprised because being a Eurovision fan we see these quirky entries all the time, but I guess rules change, life changes, and we have to see a way forward.

At the pre-parties and also in Basel the audience will be ready to shout out the original title of the song, but we've seen it before...

What if the audience's microphone is turned off?

– I think that's a massive possibility. However, I am so confident in what I am doing, in the song, and so confident on how much people love it that I won't even care.

We talk about the staging. It seems that the main concept of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest will probably be kept:

– I cannot reveal too much but you're in for a good show. There are some changes, but the concept will be as it was.

If that will be kept, we should then expect the bouncing balls, the leopard print, and the reveal... But what was all of that about?

– I have an exceptional team with crazy brains just like mine. For example, the bouncing ball concept came genuinely. We were in our first rehearsal and my stylist, who I love so much, came in with a Maltese gymnast who had the bouncing balls in the studio, she tells.

I guess rules change, life changes, and we have to see a way forward.

– My stylist started to bounce up and down and my creative director just asked: "Why is that hot?" We went on to buy six of those and it just worked in the rehearsals.

There's more symbolism to the performance such as a "The Sound of Music" homage with the clothing in the beginning of the performance given the fact Eurovision is in Basel and, of course, the reveal:

– I have an outfit change midway through and when I pull the dress, I am letting go of my insecurities and concerns.

With Eurovision coming closer Miriana hopes people will remember her as the crazy girl, but also as relatable, honest and funny:

– I remember the first thing I made sure to say once I won the Malta Eurovision Song Contest and I met the Maltese delegation was that whatever happens during this journey, I will never change myself. So I want to be Miriana, the real me.

What's your goal?

– I want to showcase who Miriana is and my art with everyone. At this point "Serving" is bigger than Eurovision because people reached out and thanked me for releasing it as it gave them confidence or strength. That's my goal: to showcase my music, but also to inspire anyone who is in a shadow.

Miriana Conte will perform "Serving" in the second Semi-final of Eurovision 2025 on 15 May.