Claudette Pace

Claudette Pace (born 8 February 1968) is a well-known Maltese singer, television presenter, and politician. She grew up in Naxxar, Malta, and developed a passion for performing at a young age. Pace pursued studies in the arts and media, studying at the University of Malta and the University of Bologna’s D.A.M.S. Institute, where she focused on culture and entertainment. By 1987 she was already singing on stage as a student, taking part in musical theatre productions. She played leading roles in popular shows such as Oliver! (as Nancy) and Annie (as Miss Hannigan) during her early career.

Pace soon began competing in local music festivals. In 1993, she made her debut in Malta Song for Europe, Malta’s national Eurovision selection contest. Her powerful voice and charisma earned her several accolades in the 1990s. In 1995, she won the Best Female Artist award at the Malta Music Awards. Three years later, she released her first album, Beginnings, in 1998. This recording was nominated for Best Album of the year in Malta. During this period, Pace built a reputation as a versatile Maltese singer, with jazz being one of her favorite genres. 

Eurovision Success and International Recognition

Claudette Pace’s persistence in the Eurovision Malta selections paid off at the turn of the millennium. After several attempts, including a close second-place finish in the 1995 national final, she finally won the Malta Song for Europe competition in January 2000 with an upbeat song titled “Desire.” This victory earned her the opportunity to represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 in Stockholm. Pace’s energetic performance in front of an international audience was a success.“Desire” finished in eighth place at Eurovision 2000. A strong result that brought Maltese music into the spotlight. The song’s catchy melody and positive message even found life beyond Eurovision. It became the official anthem for the UK’s 2001 gay pride celebrations, showing its broad appeal and cultural impact.

Following her Eurovision appearance, Pace gained wider international recognition. She toured in countries like Germany, Australia, and Sweden to promote her music in the lead-up to the contest. In the early 2000s she continued to perform at major concerts and festivals around the world, from Europe to Asia and Australia. In 2002, during a tour in Australia, she released a second self-titled album which sold out in that market. These experiences broadened her reputation beyond Malta, while she remained a beloved figure in the Maltese music scene. 

Broadcasting and Media Career

Alongside her music, Claudette Pace developed a prominent broadcasting career. She became a familiar face on Maltese television, known for her warm personality and professionalism as a presenter. Uniquely, Pace is the only television presenter to have worked with all three major Maltese TV networks: One TV, NET TV, and the national station TVM. Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, she produced and hosted a variety of popular TV shows covering entertainment, talk, and cultural topics. For example, she hosted the daytime talk show “Sellili,” which became a hit afternoon program in Malta. She also presented or produced other programs such as Inservik, C’est La Vie, Lejn il-Eurovision (a Eurovision preview show), and the game show L-ISFIDA, among others. Her versatility even led her to acting roles. She had a part in the Maltese drama series Santa Monika, playing a prison warden character.

In addition to television, Claudette Pace did radio broadcasting work. She hosted a radio program on Campus FM (University of Malta’s station) called “Tieqa ’l Barra,” where she discussed health, education, culture, and social issues. Her background in communications and her natural ease in front of the camera and microphone made her one of Malta’s most respected media personalities. Pace also took on off-screen roles. In 2010, she briefly served as the communications coordinator for Malta’s Minister of Health. However, her love for broadcasting pulled her back to media. In September 2011, she announced her resignation from the health ministry post. She returned to TV and helm her show Sellili once again. This move demonstrated her continued commitment to the media industry, even as she was on the cusp of a new path in public life.

Transition into Politics

By the early 2010s, Claudette Pace had become a household name in Malta. She decided to channel her popularity and communication skills into politics. Running under her married name Claudette Buttigieg, she contested the 2013 general elections as a candidate for the center-right Nationalist Party. Pace won a seat in the Parliament of Malta in 2013, representing the 8th electoral district. With this victory, she officially transformed from an entertainment figure into a Maltese politician. As a new Member of Parliament (MP), she was appointed the opposition Shadow Minister for Health, drawing on her recent experience in the health sector. In her parliamentary role, Pace focused on issues close to her heart. That includes healthcare improvement and social affairs, while leveraging her media-honed communication abilities to connect with constituents.

Pace proved to be a capable politician and was re-elected in 2017 for a second term. Following the 2017 election, she achieved a historic milestone in her political career: she was chosen to serve as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (the Maltese Parliament). In this role, she helped preside over parliamentary sessions and assisted the Speaker in managing debates. It was a position that highlighted the trust and respect she earned across party lines. Claudette Pace served as Deputy Speaker from 2017 until 2022, becoming one of the few female politicians in Maltese history to hold that post. She continued her political journey with a third electoral success in the 2022 general elections, securing her parliamentary seat once again. After the 2022 election, she returned to the backbenches as a regular MP, as a colleague was appointed to the Deputy Speaker position for that legislature.