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What
a week!
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Louise
Tedesco
Mother
of twin boys, TV presenter Louise Tedesco recently presented
the Malta Song for Europe Festival. Zillah Bugeja took a look
at her diary |
Wednesday
I had rehearsals for the Malta Song For Europe Festival, so I woke
up at 7am. I had to prepare lunches and give the twins breakfast.
At least they get dressed on their own so that's one problem solved.
The twins Nicholas and Timothy, are known as Nicky and Timmy but
sometimes I call them terrorists on account of them being so naughty.
Just joking, actually they are much better now that they're older,
nearly seven, and more independent. Had a shower and it was out.
Breakfast? When I have time, and when I'm relaxed, I have some cereal.
The twins were sick so I had a problem with babysitting. It was
very, very cold out but I still had to take them to my mother-in-law's
although she herself wasn't too well.
Drove to the Mediterranean Conference Centre for rehearsals. They
weren't rehearsing the songs but we were discussing the presenters'
roles. We had to remember the script word for word, and weren't
allowed to change a thing without telling the producer first.
I made friends quickly with the other two presenters, Antonella
and Claire, they were really nice. Later everyone said that they
didn't like three women presenting together, but I enjoyed it. It's
the first time actually they didn't have a man presenting too –
they didn't have a specific reason for that, it's been said.
I didn't have any lunch, I can easily go without food, maybe that's
why I've never been on a diet, I love chocolate too much!
Rehearsals finished at 4.30pm. Because the twins were sick, I wasn't
relaxed during rehearsals at all, my mind was on them all the time.
So afterwards I rushed off to my mother-in-laws to say hello to
them, came home, prepared dinner, a plate of pasta, the quickest
way out – thank God the boys can eat pasta every day.
Watched a DVD, have forgotten which one, I'm hopeless with names,
probably an action film or court drama which I love. To bed by 11pm,
exhausted.
Thursday
Hairdressers at 10am in Hamrun. They gave me poppy red highlights
at the ends, I'm not used to this colour so I try to forget that
it's there. For me, black is black, my favourite colour.
Had to be at MCC by noon, but didn't get there till quarter to three!
Before then, I called them on and off about six times, to see what
was happening. Everybody was waiting for Louise Tedeco to start!
I calmed down soon, after make-up and changing. Did a dress rehearsal
today which went great. I was very nervous, I always have palpitations
before the start of a show. To overcome my nervousness, I take deep
breaths and it works. I'm used to cameras so when I see all those
people there I try not to look at them. It's normal for me to have
butterflies before I start a programme – when I stop having
them it'll be time for me to stop what I'm doing. I am convinced
of myself but I try not to overdo it, I always want to look natural.
I didn't hear all the songs, I know it sounds weird, but we spent
the time studying the script. I only heard the short rehearsal of
the Olssen Brothers. So no, I didn't have a favourite song at all.
Because I like evening dresses, I had a ball, literally, with the
evening gowns which were from Dor Boutique in Valletta. The gold
ball gown I loved, I wasn't that comfortable with the tight, low-cut
dress at all, I thought it would show my tyres – even though
I'd bought some of those tights that lift you up and hold you in!
About 5.30pm we were ready and came home to have a bath to help
me relax. I got the script and tried to learn it by heart.
I don't work full time so I have mornings free, so that I'm always
here when the boys come home from school. I only read the news eight
times a month, that's when I leave home at 6.30pm and by eight the
boys are already in bed. I had cancelled all my news-reading spots
during the duration of the festival. What I would like to do in
the future is produce my own TV programme, but I'm happy with what
I'm doing right now, and always make it a point to be satisfied
with what I've got.
Friday:
Rehearsals in the morning, finished about 2pm. I was so excited
I didn't think about food at all. In the afternoon I went to do
my nails, having extensions fitted, they are a bit long, I can hardly
put my earrings on!
At 3.45pm had a quick shower, prepared all my things and went back
to MCC. I relax while I'm driving, I love it. While listening to
radio stations, I normally sing along, but this time I was rehearsing
my script to see whether I'd remembered it or not.
Got there at 5.30pm, started the make-up routine. I wanted natural
make-up colours, I'm not used to pinks and blues. I always do my
own make-up for TV so I'm a bit anxious when anyone does it for
me.
I was going to die before the show – I thought my heart was
going to stop! Even Claire was nervous, although Antonella looked
as cool as ever. But then as soon as I said the first three words
I clamed down, unfortunately I was the last to speak. I do think
the Charlie's Angels joke was a bit stale, maybe because we had
repeated it over 5 days.
Wearing the wonderful jewellery, especially the pearl and diamond
necklace jewellery from Vasca's, was fun too. The first thing I
did after the introduction was phone my husband who was at home,
but he was watching Xarabank and they only showed the songs.
By 11.30 it was over, straight home and to bed, yes I do remove
my make-up even though I hate doing it.
Saturday
By 9am at MCC. My husband Peter had to give me a lift because I
haven't got a V licence and had been given a ticket the day before.
At 1pm went to my mother-in-law's, as the boys were still sick.
She really helps me a lot, as do her husband and my mum. Although
my mum is 82, she comes over whenever she can to help out. My father-in-law
loves the twins to bits, but they're never spoilt.
I was back home about 3pm, can't tell you how nervous I was by then!
I made some chamomile tea to help me calm down, I don't really like
it but it works. Tried to sleep but couldn't, so got out of bed
by 4.30pm and had a bath. Peter took me to Valletta and we started
the same routine of make-up etc.
Fortunately it all went smoothly. I found out that although Antonella
doesn't show that she's nervous, (it makes me worse to see her calm),
she just doesn't show it on the outside.
When the show was over Claire and I started crying, it was such
a relief! We were so happy! I was relieved because it went well
and was over. I think Fabrizio is a good singer, and I especially
love Latin American music. When he sang the crowd was screaming,
they went wild, it was amazing. I think on the whole it was a good
show, in fact the only thing that was criticised were us three presenters.
On a programme on PBS they brought politics into it, because we
were from three different TV stations. We did click, we did what
we were asked to do, and I don't see how we could have come across
as not getting on. I hate that kind of criticism. Maybe the joke
was stale but we couldn't do otherwise. Probably, the festival was
so good that they only thing they could point a finger at were the
presenters…
After the festival we went to the Radisson, had something to eat.
Fabrizio and Antonella were there among others, so it became quite
a party. Home at 4am.
Sunday
Very, very late start, 10am is late for me. Went for the boys first,
obviously, and Peter and I went out for lunch to Ix-Xlukkajr in
Marsaxlokk. I had acciola, a lovely treat because I'm fed up of
eating chicken and veal!
Came home and had a rest. I was doing the sport programme on TV
that evening, I love football, my father was the president of Hamrun
Spartans so as you can imagine, I've lived football ever since I
was a child. I try not to miss a match on TV ever. I love watching
TV, especially the news, it's so funny that the news on super One
and Net are so different.
I hadn't watched Saturday's games so I got to the studio early and
saw them in order to be able to prepare my questions.
Back home after 11pm, no supper, I think I get by on coffee and
cigarettes.
Monday:
The twins were still at home sick, so I didn't have to wake up early.
They want to be cuddled all the time when they're sick, so that
was my job for the day, one on each arm. Having twins is nice, it
goes without saying that it was difficult when they were babies.
So staying at home was relaxing after that tiring week. Watched
TV to unwind. Right now the only reading I'm doing is the children's
schoolbooks!
Tuesday
The boys were a bit better. Woke up at 8am, cooked rabbit with spices
and herbs which the boys love too, thank God they're not fussy eaters.
Another day at home! I never wear make-up around the house, I throw
on a pair of jeans, look like an Arab with my hair wrapped and in
a bandana, I like to be relaxed. I read the newspapers every evening,
as many as I have time for.
I'm very keen on housekeeping, I do my own in fact one of the arguments
I have with Peter is on a Saturday when I'm cleaning the house.
He does lend a hand with the kids and with cooking, in fact he's
a better cook than me.
Photos
by Pippa Zammit Cutajar
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