Glen Vella
Glen Vella | |
|---|---|
Glen Vella in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 14 May 1983 |
| Origin | Fleur-de-Lys, Malta |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation | Singer · Songwriter · Vocal Coach |
| Years active | 2000–present |
Spouse |
Sandro Zammit (m. 2020) |
Glen Vella (born 14 May 1983) is a Maltese singer, songwriter, and vocal coach. He studied voice and piano from a young age and later earned a qualification in voice coaching from the Victoria Music and Arts College in London.[1]
Career
Vella became active in the Maltese music and television industry in the mid-2000s, recording jingles and theme songs and participating in musical theatre productions. In 2009, he received the Jury Award at the Golden Stag International Festival in Romania.[1]
He was one of the lead vocalists of Elfejn u Tmintax, the choral symphony which premiered on the steps of St John’s Co-Cathedral during the Valletta 2018 opening celebrations.[2]
In 2020, Vella presented the children’s television programme Kaxxa Daqq on TVM.[3] In March 2024, he performed alongside Italian singer Gigi D’Alessio at the Vernal Festival held at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali.[4]
He has participated in the Mużika Mużika festival and has also represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In addition to his performance career, he works as a vocal coach, mentoring emerging Maltese artists.
Eurovision Song Contest
| Year | Event | Role | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Malta Song for Europe | Contestant | "Appreciate" | 6th[5] |
| 2008 | Malta Song for Europe | Contestant (with Pamela) | "Loved by You" | Semi-finalist[6] |
| 2009 | Malta Eurosong | Contestant (with Q) | "Live for Today" | Semi-finalist[7] |
| 2009 | Malta Eurosong | Contestant (with Q) | "Before You Walk Away" | 3rd[7] |
| 2010 | Malta Eurosong | Contestant | "Just a Little More Love" | 2nd[8] |
| 2011 | Malta Eurovision Song Contest | Contestant | "One Life" | 1st[9] |
| 2011 | Eurovision Song Contest | Representative (Malta) | "One Life" | 11th (Semi-final 1)[10] |
| 2015 | Malta Eurovision Song Contest | Contestant | "Breakaway" | 3rd[11] |
| 2023 | Malta Eurovision Song Contest | Co-host | — | —[12] |
Mużika Mużika
| Year | Performed by | Role | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Glen Vella (with Eleonor Cassar) | Performer | "Meta Naf Li Inti Tħobbni" | 2nd[13] |
| 2021 | Glen Vella | Performer | "Ħarsa Biss" | 1st[14] |
| 2021 | Avenue Sky | Composer | "Kompli Tbissem" | Finalist[15] |
| 2022 | Bloodline | Composer (with Elton Zarb) | "Mewġ" | Semi-finalist[13] |
| 2023 | Jasmine Abela | Composer | "M’Hawnx Bħalek" | 3rd[16] |
| 2024 | GIADA | Composer | "Imħabba Vera" | Finalist[17] |
| 2025 | Claudia Faniello | Composer | "Supereroj" | Finalist[18] |
| 2025 | Jasmine Abela | Composer | "L-Imħabba Verità" | Finalist[18] |
| 2026 | Jasmine Abela | Composer | "Nistaqsi" | 1st[19] |
| 2026 | Jessica ft. J Joy | Composer | "Sensazzjoni" | Finalist[20] |
Awards
- 2nd place - Festival Tal-Kanzunetta Maltija (2000) (with Eleonor Cassar) with "Meta Naf Li Inti Tħobbni"[13]
- Jury Award – Golden Stag International Festival (2009)[1]
- 3rd place – GO Malta EuroSong (2009) (with Q) with “Before You Walk Away”[21]
- 2nd place – Malta Eurovision Song Contest (2010) with “Just a Little More Love”[22]
- Winner – Malta Eurovision Song Contest (2011) with “One Life”[23]
- 3rd place – Malta Eurovision Song Contest (2015) with “Breakaway”[24]
- Winner – Mużika Mużika (2021) with “Ħarsa Biss”[25]
- People’s Choice Award – Pride Awards (EuroPride Valletta 2023) for contributions to the LGBTIQ+ community[26]
- 3rd place – Mużika Mużika (2023) as composer for “M’ Hawnx Bħalek” (performed by Jasmine Abela, lyrics by Philip Vella)[27]
- Winnner – Mużika Mużika (2026) as composer for “Nistaqsi” (performed by Jasmine Abela, lyrics by Philip Vella)[19]
Discography
Singles
- 2005: "Appreciate"
- 2008: "Loved By You" (with Pamela)
- 2009: "Live For Today" (with Q)
- 2009: "Before You Walk Away" (with Q)
- 2010: "Just A Little More Love"
- 2011: "One Life"
- 2012: "Lest Ngħix Biss Għalik"
- 2012: "Lie"
- 2014: "Dak Li Jien"
- 2015: "Breakaway"
- 2021: "Ħarsa Biss"
- 2022: "Tagħna 2"
- 2023: "Ħarsa Biss" (Remix)
- 2026: "Issa Naraw" (with Amber)
References
- ^ a b c Eurovision.tv – Glen Vella
- ^ Valletta 2018 – Elfejn u Tmintax performance details
- ^ "Music, plays and teeth care – on TVM and TVM2 from tomorrow". TVM News. 31 May 2020. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "Gigi D'Alessio – Vernal Festival". MFCC. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "Malta Song for Europe 2005". Eurovisionworld.
- ^ "Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008". Wikipedia.
- ^ a b "Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009". Wikipedia.
- ^ "Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010". Wikipedia.
- ^ "Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011". Wikipedia.
- ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2011". Wikipedia.
- ^ "Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015". Wikipedia.
- ^ "Malta's national final lineup complete". Eurovision Song Contest. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Mużika Mużika". Wikipedia.
- ^ "Glen Vella wins first edition of Mużika Mużika". Oh My Malta.
- ^ Owen Galea (2021-03-19). "Mużika Mużika twelve finalists announced". TVM News. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- ^ "Mużika Mużika 2023 results". The Malta Independent.
- ^ "Mużika Mużika 2024 semifinalists". Times of Malta.
- ^ a b "Mużika Mużika 2025 finalists announced". Malta Daily.
- ^ a b Tony Barbaro Sant (2026-03-22). "Jasmine wins Mużika Mużika with her song 'Nistaqsi'". TVM News. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- ^ Festivals Malta (2025-11-03). "Mużika Mużika 2026: Jitħabbru s-16-il kanzunetta finalista". Festivals Malta. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- ^ "GO Malta EuroSong 2009 – Final Results". EurovisionWorld. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "GO Malta EuroSong 2010: Glen Vella – "Just A Little More Love"". EurovisionWorld. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ European Broadcasting Union. "Glen Vella – Malta 2011". Eurovision Song Contest official website. https://eurovision.tv/participant/glen-vella
- ^ "MESC 2015 – Glen Vella "Breakaway" result". EurovisionWorld. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "Video: Glen Vella wins the first edition of Mużika Mużika". TVM News. 21 March 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ Malta Daily – Pride Awards recognise contributions to LGBTIQ+ community
- ^ TVM News – Mużika Mużika 2023 results