Aspiring pastry-chef and singer Charlene Victoria Mula has become a local You Tube sensation overnight - but for all the wrong reasons.
Her song, which entered the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza - New Talent section, has attracted more than 13,000 hits on the video-sharing site - many more than other artists taking part in the festival.
But the 17-year-old has unwittingly exposed herself to a barrage of criticism, not all of which was constructive. In fact, some of the comments that viewers posted on You Tube were so harsh they had to be deleted.
"I don't care when they call me fat, because it's true. What hurts me is when they say they want me to die or to get swine flu, or when they curse my mother for bringing me into this world," she told The Sunday Times.
In the video, the jovial and spirited teenager wears less-than-flattering tight leather leggings and a sleeveless fitted top, but she oozes confidence as she sings her song Tort Ta' Min? (Who's to Blame?)
Many have criticised her for smiling excessively throughout the song, which deals with drug-abuse and other kinds of suffering. But she defends her approach.
"This is a rock song. I had to adapt my clothing to my personality so that I don't look stupid, and I had to change my expressions according to the lyrics. I could not stare blankly like it was a ballad. The song has happy parts and depressing parts, so I had to combine different expressions."
She pointed out that the most negative comments about her were posted online, but she also heard snide remarks from people taking part in the competition and her own friends. Despite the fact that most of her critics have poked fun at her voice, she blames most of the criticism on the song and her appearance.
"I like singing songs with a message. This one is about drug abuse and cigarettes. I suppose some people felt offended by it, that's why they criticised it so much. Also, in Malta, we seem to give too much importance to appearance," she said.
Ms Mula is quick to add that she also received a lot of positive feedback.
"In the streets, people come up to me and tell me they like the song, or that I have a nice voice, or that I am Chiara's successor!"
Three-time Eurovision participant Chiara is, in fact, one of Charlene's idols. But so is Susan Boyle, the British You Tube phenomenon who gained international recognition for her powerful singing voice and unkempt appearance on the show Britain's Got Talent.
"One of my dreams is to take part in an international competition like that, but it's very difficult. I like Boyle because although she did not look great she shut everybody up as soon as she started singing. I like shutting people up like that," she said giggling.
Charlene's voice is certainly unique. In this song she stresses its raspy and nasal nature, but she says her strong point is versatility.
"Everyone tells me my voice is unique because I can make it sound any way I like. If you hear me sing a ballad you'll think I sound like a baby. But then I can make it rougher for rock. For this song I sang the way my songwriter told me to," she said.
Charlene has been singing for two years but she is aware that she needs more training to be fully in-tune. She feels she has improved a great deal since she started lessons and she received much encouragement from her teachers and family.
She has also improved on another aspect of herself. At 16 Charlene used to weigh 120 kilos, but has lost weight since appearing on a local makeover TV show.
She is now keen to learn the results of the Indifest competition, but is quite confident she will do well.
"You can keep track of the televoting online. Till now I haven't fallen below third place, so I'm doing really well."
So what's her next step?
"The Eurovision Song Contest, of course," she said, adding that she is submitting two songs.
Her video can be watched on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ2JvoN2L1Q.
cperegin@timesofmalta.com