The song’s sombre lyrics tell a tale of devastation and heartbreak but nine-year-old Veronica Rotin displayed a poise and understanding well beyond her years at an Italian singing competition last Sunday.

I’ve been singing since I was three and I never want to stop

The young singer gave a captivating rendition of the soulful show tune And I’m Telling You to crescendo her way through to the second round of the televised talent competition, Io Canto.

Similar to popular contest X Factor, the show pits child performers against one another for the coveted title of Io Canto champion, which her mother, Fiona, said would make her daughter’s dreams come true.

The bubbly Veronica said she used to watch the show from her sofa in Tarxien and could barely believe it when she walked onto the stage.

Asked whether she was nervous, she said she had all the support she needed from her mother and Jesus.

“I love singing to an audience; it’s the best feeling,” she said as she stifled a giggle in a telephone interview with Times of Malta.

Auditions for the show started last September with Veronica wowing the judges at a crowded hall in Sicily. Twelve months later the soloist stunned the Milan studio, which burst into applause as she encored the final crash of the spellbinding gospel ballad.

Described as wielding a “raw natural talent” by online commentators, Veronica only started her vocal training a little over a year ago.

“I go to classes here in Malta but I’ve been singing since I was three and I never want to stop,” she said.

The Rotins will be flying back to Milan for the second round of the competition later this month.

The programme is shown live on Canale 5 on Sundays at 8pm.