Julie Zahra

Julie Ann Zahra (born 25 March 1982) is a Maltese singer, music teacher, and politician. She is best known for representing Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 as one half of the duo Julie & Ludwig, performing the song “On Again… Off Again”. In recent years, she transitioned into politics and was elected to the Parliament of Malta in 2022. 

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Zahra showed talent in music from a young age. By her early teens, she was participating in various local music festivals and television programs, building confidence and winning several awards along the way. At age 13, she made her debut appearance on Maltese television; sadly, this milestone year also coincided with the loss of her mother, Monica. Despite personal hardships, Julie persevered and continued to develop her voice, drawing inspiration from artists like Enya and Mariah Carey.

In her late teens and early twenties, Zahra began to gain broader recognition. She was discovered and mentored by her uncle, Joe Julian Farrugia, a well-known Maltese songwriter. Under his guidance, she honed her vocal skills and distinctive phrasing. Julie also dabbled in acting – appearing in TV commercials and even landing a major role in one of Malta’s popular TV series during that time. Her early successes in singing competitions extended beyond Malta’s shores: she entered international song festivals in Europe, often placing in the top ranks. In fact, by 2004 she had never placed lower than third in any festival she competed in, a testament to her consistent performances.

Zahra’s first attempt to reach Eurovision came in 2001. In Malta Song For Europe (Malta’s Eurovision qualifying contest), she participated with the song “Eternity”. A year laterr, she competed in the Malta Song for Europe national selection again with a solo entry titled “Secret to Share.” The song finished in 16th place out of 16 entries in the 2002 final. Despite not winning, the experience on a big stage further boosted her profile in the local music scene. Julie continued to refine her craft and looked ahead to another opportunity to represent her country.

Eurovision Song Contest 2004

Julie’s breakthrough on the Eurovision platform came two years later, in 2004. She teamed up with singer Ludwig Galea to form the duo Julie & Ludwig. Together they entered Malta Song for Europe 2004, this time with the upbeat pop-opera track “On Again… Off Again.” In February 2004, Julie & Ludwig won the national final, earning the right to represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbuleurovisionmalta.com. The song was composed by Philip Vella with lyrics by Gerard James Borg – a team well known in Maltese Eurovision circles.

At Eurovision in May 2004, 22-year-old Julie took the stage alongside Ludwig in the duo’s memorable performance. The Maltese duo successfully qualified from the semi-final into the grand final. In the final, they achieved a 12th place finish out of 24 finalists. Back home, “On Again… Off Again” enjoyed radio airplay and raised Julie’s status as one of Malta’s leading young singers.

Following Eurovision, Julie & Ludwig rode the wave of their success for a while. In 2005, the duo released an album titled “Mood Swings,” which included their Eurovision hit along with other new songs. The pair also gave concerts together in Malta and abroad. Notably, Julie’s powerful voice and stage presence gained attention internationally; she embarked on a mini promotional tour that brought her performances to countries like the United Kingdom and the United States. By the end of 2005, however, Julie and Ludwig amicably decided to part ways professionally. The Eurovision experience had given Julie a taste of international fame, but she was also ready to explore new directions in her career.

Musical Career After Eurovision

After 2005, Julie Zahra took a step back from pop stardom to focus on personal growth and education. A strong believer in academics and classical music, she chose to further her studies rather than immediately pursuing more commercial music projects. Julie completed a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a postgraduate qualification in teaching, bolstering her credentials as an educator. During this time, she also continued her formal music training – including achieving a Music degree in classical voice through Trinity Guildhall in London – to refine her technical skills.

Around 2007–2008, Zahra moved to the United Kingdom. There, she quietly restarted her music activities in a new context. Her musical style evolved to incorporate influences from jazz and acoustic music. In 2009, she gave an intimate live performance in the UK, singing jazz and pop numbers in an acoustic set accompanied only by guitar.

During her years in Britain, Julie also shared her knowledge through teaching roles. She worked as a vocal coach and music teacher at institutions such as the Performance Academy of Newcastle College and All Saints College in Newcastle upon Tyne. Additionally, she taught with Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools and conducted workshops around Buckinghamshire and North London, nurturing young performers. These experiences abroad broadened her horizons and allowed her to reinvent herself as an artist.

Return to Malta

By 2012, Julie Zahra decided to return to her home country of Malta. Back on the island, she re-entered the local music scene as a solo artist. That year she released a new single titled “No One in Heaven,” marking her official solo debut. The song’s launch signified Julie’s return to mainstream music after several years focused on education. She continued to write and record music; in late 2013, she announced an EP of original songs. This EP, released digitally in November 2013 and entitled “No Loving,” featured a collection of jazz-influenced pop tracks. Julie’s vocal style by now had matured, blending the power-ballad technique she was known for with a cooler jazz sensibility.

Back in Malta, Zahra also stayed active as a performer and mentor. She appeared in various concerts and television programs, sometimes performing beloved classics from musical theatre. For instance, she has been heard singing songs from The Phantom of the Opera (like “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”) and other show tunes on local TV specials, showcasing her theatrical side.

Julie also collaborated with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra on multiple occasions, performing live at high-profile events. Alongside performing, she took up teaching positions in Malta’s schools and performing arts academies, sharing her expertise with aspiring singers. By this time, she had become a respected figure in the Maltese arts community.

In 2015, Julie briefly returned to the Eurovision spotlight in a new role as Malta’s spokesperson – the person who announces the Maltese jury/televote points live on air. Over the next few years, she maintained a relatively low profile in entertainment, balancing her artistic endeavors with her growing involvement in community and family life (she became a mother in 2017, to a daughter named Nina Mae).

Political Career

By the early 2020s, Julie Zahra embarked on a new chapter as she transitioned from music into politics. In 2021, Malta’s centre-right Nationalist Party (PN) announced Julie as one of its candidates for the upcoming general election. Her move into politics was motivated by a desire to serve her community – she had become an advocate for social issues such as mental health and education, often speaking out about the need for improvements in these areas. Leveraging her public recognition and fresh perspective as an artist-educator, Zahra campaigned on issues close to her heart.

The Maltese general election took place in March 2022, and Julie Zahra contested a seat in Parliament. She ran in the 8th District (among others), and although she did not win outright on the first count, she still came very close. Shortly after the election, a gender balance mechanism in Malta’s electoral system allowed additional candidates to be elected to improve female representation in Parliament. Thanks to this mechanism, Julie Zahra was granted a parliamentary seat with the PN, officially becoming a Member of Parliament in April 2022. 

Work in the parliament

As an MP, Julie quickly got to work on cultural and social policy. She was appointed as the Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Culture and the Arts, a fitting role given her background. In this capacity, she has been active in debates about supporting local artists and improving mental health services (notably, she has called for reform of Malta’s psychiatric hospital, drawing on her experience as a teacher and citizen).

Zahra’s entry into politics was not without its challenges – during the campaign, a government minister attempted to trivialize her Eurovision past, but Julie received widespread support from the arts community in response. She embraced her unique career path, often saying that her experience on the international stage taught her resilience and the value of hard work.