Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1213458
think that sexism/misogyny has something to do with this? My audience has always been polarised. While I have been receiving significant support for my work, I could have nev- er prepared myself for the crit- icism I was going to receive as well. I do think that the criticism may have something to do with me being a young girl who the general Maltese public knew nothing about before becom- ing a judge on X-Factor. People were shocked that I seemingly came out of nowhere. People were even more shocked when I seemed to speak in my mother tongue, English; and I was never one to mince my words either when it came to giving criticism. That's exactly how I was taught, though – to cut straight to the point so that I can get to work on what needs to be worked on. Studying music intensely makes you more self-aware. The more you learn, the less you realise you know. At least that's how it is for me. Hand on heart, I respect the view- ers and try to view each and every comment – the good and the bad – as they help me grow both as an artist and a human being. On the subject of misogyny, you made a powerful statement by attaching references to murder victim Chantel Chetcuti on your dress. To what extent do you consider yourself an activist as well as an artist? Is it a driving force in your career? Statistics show that women are more commonly on the receiv- ing end of domestic violence of- ten with brutal endings, includ- ing cases where women have been burnt alive, choked or thrown off cliffs. Christine, Irena, Karen, Yvette, Margaret, Meryem, Silvana, Caroline, Eleanor, Maria, Anto- nia, Shannon, Lourdes, Marija Lourdes, Angele, Chantelle: I shouldn't have to live at a time when this list grows – but I do. I wanted to take this moment to pay homage to all the poten- tial that was robbed with every victim that we lost to domestic violence. Art is a very immediate way to express oneself and communi- cate a message to others, some- times without the use of words. In that sense, it is a very pow- erful tool which I believe can change people when it is given the right platform and attention. That is why I think it should be used responsibly, too. As fashion designer and local couturier Luke Azzopardi put it, 'I always seek purpose in the work that I do': which is a sen- timent I myself also work by – which is perhaps the reason why we connect together so well as artists and as people. I seek purpose and truth in my work. I am highly affected by the world around me and it is indeed a driving force in my career. Music helps me make sense of the world around me and to help process my emo- tions, whatever they may be. The things I feel strongly about in my daily life are bound to come out in my art somehow. It's a cathartic process. At 25 you are still at an early stage in your career. How do you see yourself in 10, 20 years' time? Making more music. Maybe I'll have that vegetable and herb garden, though… with some chickens running around (may- be kids? oh dear…) and I'll bake mountains of pies, and invite all my loved ones round for a slice and a cup of tea. 9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 FEBRUARY 2020 INTERVIEW