From San Marino it off to sunny island nation of Malta, Malta hosted last years Junior Eurovision Song Contest. This year they are being represented by Destiny Chukunyere with the song “Not My Soul”, here’s what Destiny had to say:
May I start by saying thank you very much for talking to us, Junior Eurovision is just around the corner, you probably can’t wait for the contest to start can you?
I am so impatient to travel to Bulgaria to meet the other contestants in person and to perform my song “Not My Soul” on the Junior Stage. I am also really looking forward to visit the beautiful city of Sofia to discover the Balkan culture.
It was back in July that you were selected to represent Malta in Sofia, but what was it that made you decide you wanted to take part in the selection process?
Actually at first I wasn’t going to take part in the Maltese selection, but then I changed my mind because I wanted to experience the Maltese Junior contest, but I did not expect to win it.
In the national final your performance was so energetic and full of life, why did you decide to sing “Think” by Aretha Franklin?
As you mentioned my performance was very energetic. I find that Aretha is a powerful artist and she fills me with so much joy and energy. Aretha is always full of life on stage. I wanted to bring out a positive performance so that people will remember the Destiny that I am and how joyful I was on stage. I think “Think” was an excellent choice.
Your song for the competition is “Not my soul”, can you tell us more about it?
The style of my song is pop soul. It’s a happy catchy song. I wrote the song together with Muxu and Elton, the Maltese song writers behind Gaia Cauchi’s winning 2013 song “The Start” and Federica Falzon’s 2014 entry “Diamonds”. They also wrote Amber’s song “Warrior”, Malta’s entry in the senior Eurovision. It took us just over one week to draft the first version of my song and to come up with the lyrics. The song “Not My Soul” is really about me. It carries a strong message. It talks about the inner strength that everyone has. Something so unique and personal that no one can take away. They can take away the rhythm, they can take away the gold, but they can never take away my soul. That unique factor that gives us personality and character.
Your music video is very fun, what can we expect from your performance in Sofia?
My show will remain faithful to the video. The show is going to be very colourful, no dancers, just me having fun rocking the stage. I want to make all crowd happy. I want everyone to feel a good vibe.
Can you tell us one thing that we wouldn’t expect to know about you and maybe a hidden talent that you have?
I am Destiny and I’m 13 years old. I come from the islands of Malta, right in the middle of the Mediterranean. I am half European and half African. My mother is Maltese and my father is Nigerian. My dad is a professional football player. He used to play for the Nigerian national team. Today he coaches one of the best football teams in Malta. I am a singer and an actress. I love music especially soul and gospel. I enjoy taking part in school musicals. I have already played several characters. My favourite was the part of the dragon in the musical Shrek.
What is one thing that you’d really like to do if you had the chance?
I want to discover the world and meet famous people. . I would love to go abroad, to visit America where all the big names perform. When I grow older, I’d love to perform with my idol, Aretha Franklin.
Finally is there anything you’d like to say to the readers of Eurovoix.com?
Thanks for following my Junior Eurovision adventure. I appreciate all your support. Please vote for my song “Not My Soul” on Saturday 21st November. Keep following me on my personal facebook page and give me a like www.facebook.com/destinysinger.chukunyere.
We wish Destiny the best of luck for next weeks competition in Sofia, Bulgaria and hope that she has a fantastic time on stage. Watch the music video for “Not My Soul” below:
