Fabrizio Faniello

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Fabrizio Faniello, born on April 27, 1981, in Floriana, Malta, is a Maltese pop singer known for his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and his contributions to Malta’s pop music scene. The eldest of three children born to Vincenzo and Anna Faniello, Fabrizio grew up with two younger sisters, Claudia and Miriana. Claudia also pursued a singing career, representing Malta at Eurovision in 2017. Fabrizio discovered his passion for music at a young age. He was encouraged by a teacher to take vocal lessons. However, he was also drawn to football and spent a year playing in Turin, Italy, in 1997. At 16, he chose music as his profession and returned to Malta, laying the foundation for a career that would span over two decades.

First Steps and Eurovision Debut (1998–2001)

Faniello’s career began with his debut in the Maltese pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998, where his song “More Than Just a Game” placed second. He continued to compete in the Maltese national finals, achieving notable results with “Change of Heart” (2nd in 2000) and winning the pre-selection in 2001 with “Another Summer Night.” This victory led to his first Eurovision appearance in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he finished 9th with 48 points, marking the start of his international career. His debut album, While I’m Dreaming (2001), included “Another Summer Night” and “Change of Heart,” gaining traction in Malta and parts of Europe.

Chart Success and Second Eurovision (2004–2006)

In 2004, Faniello scored a Top 10 hit in Sweden with “I’m in Love (The Whistle Hit),” which also charted in Finland and Belgium. His 2005 album, Believe, featured singles like “Did I Ever Tell You” and “Don’t Tell It.” In 2006, he won the Maltese pre-selection again with “I Do” and represented Malta at Eurovision in Athens, but placed 24th (last) with just one point from Albania, a disappointing result for him and his fans.

Competitions and Personal Challenges (2007–2015)

After 2006, Faniello’s music releases slowed, though he continued to perform in Malta and compete in Eurovision pre-selections, with entries like “No Surrender” (4th in 2011) and “I Will Fight for You” (6th in 2012). His 2014 entry, “Just No Place Like Home,” failed to advance past the semi-finals. In January 2015, Faniello publicly addressed his struggle with drug addiction during an appearance on the Maltese TV program Xarabank. He discussed his participation in a Caritas rehabilitation program, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and breaking the stigma around addiction. His openness was praised for encouraging others to seek support.

Return to the Stage (2016)

In 2016, Faniello returned to the spotlight with renewed focus after his recovery. He performed at various events in Malta and collaborated on smaller projects, though no major releases emerged that year. His public acknowledgment of overcoming personal challenges bolstered his reputation as a resilient figure in Maltese music. 

A Mature Sound and Cultural Roots (2018–2019)

In 2018, Faniello released his third album, Unexpected, a 13-track project featuring the emotional ballad “Unexpected” and singles like “Someday” and “I’m in Love.” The album blended pop and electronic elements, showcasing a more mature sound compared to his earlier Europop work. The title track’s music video, premiered on wiwibloggs, depicted an elderly couple’s love story, highlighting Faniello’s emotional depth. The album received positive reviews for its versatility and was well-received in Malta, though it didn’t achieve significant international chart success. In 2019, Faniello competed in the 43rd L-Għanja tal-Poplu festival in Malta with “Dawl Għajnejja,” a song with Maltese lyrics and a Mediterranean melody, co-written by Emil Calleja Bayliss and Cyprian Cassar. The track highlighted his cultural roots and artistic flexibility, earning praise for its authenticity. That year, he also performed at local festivals.

Recent Projects and Collaborations (2023–2025)

In 2023, Faniello released “Try to Be Better (Remix),” a motivational pop track encouraging personal growth. The song featured his signature smooth vocals and a catchy beat, resonating with fans on streaming platforms like Spotify, where he has over 17,000 monthly listeners. He also competed in the 2023 Malta Eurovision Song Contest pre-selection with “Try to Be Better,” placing 8th out of 16 contestants. Additionally, Faniello collaborated with his sister Claudia on a video version of “Another Summer Night” and worked with Miss Roberta on “I Do (Miss Roberta Dub Mix),” showcasing his willingness to experiment with new styles. In 2025, Faniello formed the trio JVF with fellow Maltese singers Jessika Muscat and Victorio Gauci. The group entered the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Festa (No Time for Siesta),” finishing in 5th place.