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1. What's been the most defining moment in your career so far? For me, it has to be the growth of my passion. I watched myself go from casually singing in my day-to-day life, while getting ready, cooking, or driving; to taking it seriously and attending lessons with Glen Vella. The real push came after my dad passed away. It made me realise that life is too short to keep thinking about how, when, or whether you should do something, just do it. Literally. It sounds cliché, but it's true. Chase your dreams, work hard, be bold, believe in what you can achieve, manifest it, and learn to filter out the noise and opinions of others. The only opinion that matters is your own. That mindset is what pushed me to take singing seriously and has shaped every opportunity I've pursued since. 2. As a creative, how do you navigate the world and speed of social media? Somehow, I manage! Social media moves incredibly fast, especially as a creative, so it's important to stay consistent and present. I try to keep on top of things by setting aside an hour every 3 to 4 days to update my Instagram and Facebook pages, engage with my audi- ence, and share what I've been working on. I believe social media is a very important tool nowadays. It's not just about promoting your work, but also about connecting with people, building a community, and allowing others to be part of your journey. Of course, balancing content creation with everything else can be challenging at times, but I've learned that consistency is key. I'm also fortunate to have the support of Marc at Ironic PR, who helps me stay organised and make sure I'm keeping up with the fast pace of the digital world. Having that support allows me to focus on what I love most, creating content and performing, while still maintaining a strong online presence. 3. Do you consider artificial intelligence a threat to your career, or an opportunity? I see artificial intelligence more as an oppor- tunity than a threat. As a singer and songwrit- er, I believe that nothing can replace genuine human emotion, personal experiences, and the connection that artists create through their music. That said, AI can be a very useful tool. It can help spark ideas, overcome writer's block, and support the song writing process by offering different perspectives or creative prompts. I see it as something that can enhance creativity rather than replace it. At the end of the day, the heart of a song comes from the artist, the emotions, stories, and experiences behind it. AI can assist along the way, but it's the human touch that gives music its soul. 4. How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during tough times or when the work feels hard? For me, tough times are often where the inspiration comes from. Some of the most meaningful lyrics I've written have been born from difficult moments and personal challenges. When life gets hard, I tend to feel emotions more deeply, and music becomes an outlet for me to process those feelings and turn them into something creative. Of course, there are days when motivation isn't easy to find, but I remind myself why I started in the first place. Music is something I'm genuinely passionate about, and knowing that my songs might resonate with someone else keeps me going. I believe that both the highs and the lows are important. The happy moments give you memories to celebrate, while the difficult ones often give you stories to tell and emotions that can connect with people on a deeper level through music. 5. How do you balance your creative instincts with the expectations of your audi- ence or collaborators? I always value the opinions of my audience and collaborators, but at the end of the day, the music has to feel authentic to me. I believe that as an artist, it's important to stay true to your creative instincts rather than trying to please everyone. The reality is that not every song will connect with every person, and that's okay. Music is subjective, and everyone has different tastes. My focus is on creating music that I genuinely believe in and that reflects who I am as an artist. When collaborating, I'm always open to ideas and feedback because they can help elevate a project, but I also think it's important to main- tain your artistic identity. If you're constantly trying to meet everyone's expectations, you can lose sight of your own voice. I'd rather create something honest that resonates deeply with some people than try to create something that appeals to everyone. 6. How do you approach a new project? Do you have a specific process or routine you follow? I wouldn't say I have a strict process or routine when approaching a new project. For me, it's more about having the right support system around me and being open to the journey. I'm fortunate to have people who believe in me, encourage me, and help guide me when needed, and that gives me the confidence to move forward. When a new opportunity or project comes along, I tend to trust my instincts and go with it. I like to see where the creative process takes me rather than over- thinking every step. Of course, there is always preparation and hard work involved, but I try to enjoy the experience, learn as much as I can, and let things develop naturally. I've found that some of the best things happen when you embrace the opportunity, stay open-minded, and trust both yourself and the people supporting you along the way. 7. Can you let us in on some of the future projects, works? I'd love to, but unfortunately, I'm not allowed to reveal too much just yet! What I can say is that there are quite a few exciting projects in the pipeline, and I'm really looking forward to sharing them when the time is right. It's an exciting period for me, with lots of opportuni- ties, music, and collaborations being worked on behind the scenes. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JUNE 2026 Tribute A 50-year tribute by Paul Saliba to his brother Emidio Saliba, featuring his short story The Sitting Room Picture ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON BY LAURA CALLEJA suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt The Q & A MICHELA SCICLUNA 7 questions for... Extra round What does music mean to you on a personal level? Is it a form of expres- sion, therapy, or something else? Music means so many things to me. More than anything, it comes from my soul. It's not just something I do, it's a part of who I am. I honestly can't imagine my life without music. It's my way of expressing emotions that I sometimes can't put into words, whether they're moments of happiness, sadness, love, or reflection. Music is also a form of therapy for me. It helps me process my thoughts and feelings, especially during difficult times, and it allows me to connect with others through shared emotions and experi- ences. On a deeper level, music helps me keep my father's memory alive. Since losing him, I've carried a part of him with me in everything I do, and music is one of the ways I feel closest to him. In many ways, every performance and every song are a way of honouring him and continuing to carry his spirit with me. That's why music isn't just a passion for me, it's everything. Michela Scicluna, 31, has been passionate about music from a young age, growing up in a family where music was part of everyday life. After 27 years of dancing, she focused on developing her voice through training at Vocal Booth under Glen Vella, completing her Grade 3 examination. Today, she continues to grow as an artist through song writing and creating her own unique sound Theatre A review of Udjenza's A Midsummer Dream at St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina PAGES 2-3 PAGE 8 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta Social media moves incredibly fast, especially as a creative, so it's important to stay consistent and present