Janice Mangion: 'I love our language, it’s what makes us Maltese'

It’s been a busy year for singer Janice Mangion, who recently took part in Bulgaria’s Discovery Fest, where she took home the Best Voice award, took part in the annual Ħelu Bambin project in aid of the Dar tal-Providenza, and finished it all off with two projects in the fashion world in collaboration with local designers Gaetano and Maria Cutajar

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Switch off my alarm clock.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Not to be afraid to take risks.

What do you never leave the house without?

My mobile.

Pick three words that describe yourself

Sensitive, honest, ambitious.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

I’d have to say performing ‘Kewkba’ which finished in 2nd place at the Malta Eurovision 2017.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

(Laughs) Anything related to food!

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Life is too short.

Apart from property and cars, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?

Jewellery.

What is one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?

Not to trust everyone.

Who’s your inspiration?

My mother. I don’t think it’s easy to raise two children on her own the way she did. I’m grateful for that.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Dealing with criticism and pretending like nothing is going on. That’s a great challenge for me.

If you weren’t a singer, what would you be doing?

I would have my own business.

Do you believe in God?

Yes, definitely.

If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be?

My late grandfather. Because of the absence of my father I owe everything to him. Without him I wouldn’t be the Janice I am today.

What’s your worst habit?

I sometimes take long to take a decision.

What are you like when you’re drunk?

Loud!

Who would you have play you in a film?

Honestly, I don’t know…there are way too many fantastic actresses whom I’d be honoured to have play me in a movie.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I hate bullying, of all kinds, whether it’s physical or mental.

What music would you have played at your funeral?

I always dreamt to have a large amount of singers singing at my funeral because I’d want it to be musically remembered.

What is your most treasured material possession?

Honestly, it has to be my car.

When did you last cry, and why?

Recently, it was music-related. Music means a lot to me.

Who would you most like to meet?

Celine Dion.

What’s your favourite food?

It’s got to be any fish-related plate.

Who’s your favourite person on social media right now?

Hmm... tough question but I’d have to say Tamara Webb.

If you could travel in time, where would you go?

If I could travel in time, I’d go back to meet with Whitney Houston, because I think she’s a true legend.

What book are you reading right now?

Right now, I don’t have the time to read any books but trying to stay in touch with the entertainment industry through magazines like Hello!

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

To give shelter to all the homeless people.

What’s one thing you want to do before you die?

To watch Celine Dion live in concert.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Various types of music but I recently bought Ed Sheeran’s latest album.

In the shower or when you’re working out, what do you sing/listen to?

Rihanna…

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If you could perform with any artist, who would you choose? And what would you sing?

Celine Dion or Andrea Bocelli, and I would sing The Prayer.

What’s the inspiration behind your music?

Lately I’ve been noticing a lot of negativity going round on several social media posts and that’s where the inspiration came from. It would be great if at least we can make an effort to tolerate and accept all out differences without judging or hurting each other.

Why do you choose to sing Maltese songs?

I love our language, it’s what makes us Maltese. Besides that, I believe that Maltese songs were quite lacking in recent years and it feels great to see that this idea is rapidly changing.