This week Singer /songwriter Sophie Debattista tells Marie Benoit that her world is dominated by music. But she also enjoys retail therapy, has a passion for ice-cream and Spongebob Squarepants and dreams of a holiday in Mauritius
Seventeen-year-old Sophie Debattista is singer, songwriter and musician, with ambitions and dreams just like most young people her age. She has an English mother and a Maltese father. Music has always been a major passion of hers and ever since she can remember she has wanted to become a performing artist, writing her own material and sharing her music across the world. She has always had great pride in Malta and so, while trying to fulfill her goals, she would at the same time like to help show-off the musical talent in Malta.
After passing her ‘O’ levels (‘Phew’ she comments!) she decided to take up music full-time. Her parents have supported this particular dream right from the beginning. This is very important to Sophie. She is now able to really concentrate on her songwriting. This, she says, has opened up many more opportunities for her, not only to write songs for herself, but also for other artists.
Now with her first single with Thru The Mill Records being released exclusively on i-Tunes first, she simply hopes that if people like it they’ll download it and this will help her expose Malta and Maltese talent to the world.
Sophie considers herself lucky to have got to where she is now. Not only has her parents’ support been crucial but so has the general public’s who believed in her. Sophie would like to invite everyone to follow her on Twitter and Facebook where you will be able to get to know her and interact with her about all sorts of things.
I have one sister, Charlotte, who is currently studying musical theatre at the Italia Conti Academy in the UK where she is on scholarship.
I love eating pizza and pasta, I also have a passion for chocolate ice-cream.
When I have some time to spare I love to go horse riding and in the summer like everyone else I visit our beautiful beaches whenever I can. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and family, listening to music, watching a good film and dancing. Like practically every girl on the planet I love to go shopping and the chance to travel is always exciting.
My favourite holiday destination would definitely be Mauritius although I have never been there. It seems such a beautiful place and a dream I have is to visit it at least once in my lifetime. I guess my favourite city at the moment is probably London. Ah! All those glorious shops! Of course given the time and money I’d love to visit every country in the world!
One living person I admire is Jessie J, just because she is such an amazing artist. She writes all her own material and bases her songs on real situations and her music is really therapeutic. Seeing her live in concert recently was such an exciting experience. I would love to meet her one day.
A character in fiction I like very much is Spongebob Squarepants the American animated television series created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centres on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of ‘Bikini Bottom.’ I like him so much because he reminds me of my dad.
If I could change one thing about myself it would be my height. I always feel super tall when I wear high heels, as though I’m towering over everyone, so I’d love to be a bit shorter.
The writers I like best are JK Rowling and when I was younger Jacqueline Wilson.
My dream job is to be a singer/songwriter.
My kind of music is Pop, but whenever I write my own material I always give it my own twist.
If I won the lottery I would save the money for when I figured out what I could do with it sensibly. But first of all I would indulge in a quick shopping spree for a pair of shoes or two – and then donate the rest to various charities.
My motto is never give up on your dreams, and never lose faith in yourself. Times may get tough, but it’s how you handle those tough situations that makes you who you are. As the Maltese proverb goes: ‘If it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger.’