Young singer, songwriter sets sights on Europe

Crooning about rolling on the covers of magazines and playing her music video on MTV, Sophie Debattista is hoping to charm the judges of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

The lively 12-year-old girl, who will represent Malta in Romania on December 2, is looking at this event as the first step towards realising her dream to become a famous pop star.

"I've got a lot of dreams of where I want to be," Sophie said yesterday, still on a high after winning Friday's Junior Song for Europe Festival with the song Extra Cute.

Maltasong yesterday issued a statement with the finalists - Guess Who came in second with the song Save Rock 'N' Roll, while Kylie Coleiro placed third.

After Malta placed last at last year's junior contest Sophie is anxious to put on a good performance that would lead to a better placing.

"I am a bit worried, but it's comforting to hear people say I have charisma. I'm hoping people notice this when I'm on stage in Romania," she said.

Sophie, who loves listening to Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera, started singing when she was nine.

"Singing started off as a bit of fun with my best friend Yasmine. We wrote a song Magic Window and it just progressed from there," she said.

Together with her older sister she was forever testing her vocal chords as they went about doing some household chores. Her parents have also proved to be a constant support in helping nurture her talent.

Winning the local contest is third time lucky for Sophie who had already competed in the Junior Song for Europe twice.

Her winning song Extra Cute, which she wrote, took her about a month to fine-tune, and she plans to write more songs in her free time.

A student at San Andrea school, Sophie just cannot wait for the scholastic year to kick off so that she can share the excitement with her school friends.