As if running the fashion outlet Blaumax, an Austrian franchise in Bay Street, isn’t already enough Antonella Vassallo, the popular TV personality will be back on our small screen later on this month. What exactly is she up to this coming season? She replies: “I have been a considerable while away from the TV screens and I miss having a programme. But I am delighted to report that I have a new programme coming up soon, Destinazzjoni Success, which will be transmitted on Net TV.”
In DS, she explains, she will explore the success stories of various Maltese, known and less well known, some living abroad and others on these islands. Antonella continues: “It is an adaptation of reality TV. I will be travelling extensively to meet these personalities but also to experience their private and professional lives. They come from all walks of life and work in various fields, from medicine and business, to voluntary work and entertainment.” The ones who are based in Malta, she explains, will be invited to the studio together with friends and relatives of the personality to be featured.
So Destinazzjoni Success is going to mean a great deal of travelling. Is she going to be able to manage her clothes business and the programme at the same time? “Yes, like most women I’ve learnt to juggle so I don’t forsee any problems. It will be a challenge. The business and my TV life are intertwined and despite the travelling, filming, returning to Malta, presenting the programme, buying clothes and so on I believe I will manage it all. The programme is about success, so I have to have faith in my own abilities in order to achieve success. And besides, I can rely on Chris, my sister and two salespersons to make certain Blaumax doesn’t suffer.”
Could she mention some personalities who are going to participate in Destinazzjoni Success? “So far we have a list of personalities who have confirmed their participation who are not necessarily well known in Malta, but who have made a name for themselves abroad. One of the first programmes will feature a Maltese who has made a successful living in the agricultural field in Australia. We will also be talking to well-known personalities, who will hopefully accept our invitation to interview them and allow us to spend some time with them. Among them are Judge Giovanni Bonello, Mgr Charles Scicluna, Joseph Calleja and others.” She emphasises that she would like to try and understand the reasons behind their success; their ambition, their everyday routine, how they relax and how they perceive Malta.
The programme will also feature entertainment slots and some of Malta’s leading artists and entertainers in the limelight will appear on DS. What gave Antonella the idea for this programme and when did she start working on it? She explains that she loves travelling. “I wanted to do a travel-based programme, and to meet successful people, both known and lesser known. I married the two concepts together and Destinazzjoni Success was born.”
Were people enthusiastic when she approached them and did they immediately agree to coming on the programme? Is she going to encourage viewers to propose names or does she intend choosing the personalities herself? Antonella believes in audience participation. “It is still early days to see how DS is going to develop but as people will start reacting once the programme is aired on 18 October then I shall be in a better position to take decisions. Apart from the list of personalities we have come up with, we will be inviting people to nominate Maltese they know who have been successful abroad.”
With such a busy life does she have time for any leisure activities at all? If so what does she enjoy doing? “I do my very best to find ME time! For instance I love going to the cinema on my own. Last week I watched The Duchess. Brilliant! I have a personal Yoga instructor. Her name is Claire Caprio, and we practise yoga on alternate days first thing in the morning since it’s the best time for me. Every Saturday I enjoy having dinner with my friends. But one comes to a point when work and pleasure merge if you are earning money by spending the day doing things that you like.”
‘Destinazzjoni Success’ will be aired on NET TV every Saturday starting 18 October from 8.30 to 10.30pm.