Malta was represented at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Stronger", written by Elise Hedengren, Isak Alvedahl, John-Emil Johansson, Sandra Wikström, and Yulan, and performed by Yulan. The Maltese participating broadcaster, Public Broadcasting Services (PBS), organised a national final to select Yulan as the Maltese entrant, with her song "Stronger" being chosen internally.
Background
Prior to the contest, Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) had participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest representing Malta seventeen times since its first participation in the inaugural . Malta participated in every contest, with the exception of the and contests. Malta has won the contest twice: in with "The Start" performed by Gaia Cauchi, and in with "Not My Soul" performed by Destiny Chukunyere. In the contest, Malta was represented by the song "Diamonds in the Skies" performed by Gaia Gambuzza. The song placed last with 43 points.
Before Junior Eurovision
Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 PBS confirmed its participation in the contest in May 2023. The broadcaster organised the national final Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to select the Maltese entrant. Unlike the previous editions, the Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 selected an artist to represent Malta exclusively, with the song chosen afterwards. Artists were able to submit two covers version songs which showcase their singing abilities between 21 May 2023 and 16 June 2023, and the 24 semi-finalists were revealed on 3 July 2023 following a preliminary selection by a jury nominated by PBS.
Semi-finals The semi-finals were broadcast on 22 and 29 July 2023, hosted by Ryan and Josmar. The allocation for the semi-finals was announced on 7 July 2023. The 12 finalists were announced on 5 August. The announcement took place as part of a special broadcast, during which a recap of all competing acts was played and the finalists were selected by the votes of a five-member jury panel (80%) and public televoting (20%). +Semi-final 1 – 22 July 2023ArtistSong Result 1Emilie Vella"Control" 2Mia Lanzon"Crazy" 3Point Blank"From Now On" Advanced 4Keira Farrugia"I Know Where I've Been" Advanced 5Emma Farrugia"Holding Out For a Hero" Advanced 6Isis Jade Miller"Wings" 7Aaliyah Grech"Rise" Advanced 8Dawn Desira"Who's Loving You?" Advanced 9Geneve Dimech"Hurt" 10Shyann Cutajar"Dancing with Your Ghost" Advanced 11Ella Seychell Navarro"Until I Found You" 12Cesca Galea"Something's Got a Hold on Me" Advanced +Semi-final 2 – 29 July 2023ArtistSong Result 1Anneka Xerri"Lost On You" Advanced 2Naomi Camilleri"Flowers" 3Krista Chircop"Remember" 4Zoya Failla"Something's Got a Hold On Me" 5Maria Curmi"Feeling Good" 6Chanel Mifsud"All I Want" 7Kaylyn Mallia"Feeling Good" Advanced 8Yulan Law"Hold My Hand" Advanced 9Daylin Cassar Randich"And I Am Telling You" Advanced 10Jade Schembri"All I Want" 11Marcus Mifsud"Before You" 12Andrea Camilleri"Somebody To Love" Advanced
Final The final took take place on 12 August 2023, hosted by Ryan and Josmar. The show featured pre-recorded performances by the finalists and a live results reveal segment after the votes had been counted. The winner was selected by the votes of a jury panel (80%) and public televoting (20%). The jury consisted of Maltese Eurovision Song Contest 2017 entrant Claudia Faniello and Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023 finalists Matt Black and Ryan Hili. The interval act featured last years winner Gaia Gambuzza, who performed her song "Diamonds in the Skies". Yulan Law was announced as the winner of the national final. Law had already attempted to represent the country thrice in the past, and has also been a finalist on the Maltese versions of The Voice Kids and Got Talent. +Final – 12 August 2023ArtistSongPlace 1Point Blank"Born This Way" 2Yulan Law"Reflection" 1 3Kaylyn Mallia"Tattoo" 4Aaliyah Grech"Mamma Knows Best" 5Anneka Xerri"Can't Hold Us" 6Shyann Cutajar"Unstoppable" 7Daylin Cassar Randich"Remember" 2 8Cesca Galea"Trustfall" 9Emma Farrugia"Unicorn" 10Keira Farrugia"Knock On Wood" 11Andrea Camilleri"Bridges" 12Dawn Desira"Crazy in Love" 3
At Junior Eurovision The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 took place at Palais Nikaïa in Nice, France on 26 November 2023.
Voting
At the end of the show, Malta received 51 points from juries and 43 points from online voting, placing 10th.
+ Points awarded to Malta Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point Malta received 43 points from the online vote
+ Points awarded by Malta Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
Detailed voting results The following members comprised the Maltese jury: Arthur Caruana Daylin Cassar Randich Matthew Caruana Ryan Hili Anneka Xerri
+ Draw Country Juror A Juror B Juror C Juror D Juror E Rank Points 01 2 8 5 4 6 5 6 02 03 12 10 10 10 11 13 04 13 14 14 13 9 14 05 3 1 4 3 4 2 10 06 14 6 8 9 7 9 2 07 15 11 7 11 8 11 08 7 3 1 1 1 1 12 09 9 5 9 6 12 7 4 10 10 7 12 12 10 12 11 8 13 11 5 3 6 5 12 6 4 2 2 2 3 8 13 11 15 15 15 15 15 14 4 9 13 7 13 8 3 15 5 12 6 14 14 10 1 16 1 2 3 8 5 4 7
References