Ira won Eurovision 2002
Jacqui's sister Ira represented Malta and won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2002, a life-changing event for the whole family.
Snapshot · Jon Mallia Podcast
NETWORKING IS MY IDEA OF A NIGHTMARE | Jacqui Losco
Explore episode
Jul 21, 2026
Where this was said
Ira tirbaħ il-Eurovision
At 27:25 · chapter starts 27:14
Few moments in Maltese cultural history carry the weight of Ira Losco's Eurovision victory in 2002, and Jacqui was living it from the inside. She takes Jon through what the experience felt like as a family member — the build-up, the extraordinary night itself, and the aftermath of suddenly being the sister of the most famous woman in Malta. Jacqui is honest about the mixture of emotions: overwhelming pride in Ira's talent, which she describes as genuine and deserved, alongside the quieter experience of watching someone you grew up with become the centre of the universe [1] — Jacqui Losco "When Ira Losco won Eurovision in 2002, the entire family's life changed overnight. Jacqui reflects on what it meant to be the sister at the…" 27:14 . She discusses how Ira was already a serious artist — part of the alternative music scene, with genuine musical credibility — and how Eurovision amplified something that was already real. The conversation also touches on the negative comments that came with public life, foreshadowing Jacqui's later discussion of her own experience with online criticism. Across this segment, Jacqui emerges as someone who processed a hugely significant cultural event through the very private lens of sisterhood.
Living Through Ira's Eurovision Win
When Ira Losco won Eurovision in 2002, the entire family's life changed overnight. Jacqui reflects on what it meant to be the sister at the centre of that cultural moment, including the conflicting feelings of pride and being overshadowed.
Surname Losco — unusual origin
Jacqui clarified the spelling of her surname — L-O-S-K-O — noting it is an unusual name that people frequently misspell or mispronounce.
Ignorance Is Bliss: Jacqui's Strategy for Handling Online Hate
Jacqui's philosophy on internet trolls is simple: don't read the comments. 'Ignorance is bliss' is her personal motto, and she argues that most negative commentary says more about the commenter than the subject.
Ignorance is bliss — her motto on trolls
Jacqui's personal philosophy for dealing with online negativity is 'ignorance is bliss' — she deliberately avoids reading negative comments.
Trolls Close-Up: Why Negative Comments Sting More in Public Life
Being a public figure in a small island means every critic is potentially someone you know. Jacqui unpacks why online negativity hits differently in Malta's tight-knit media landscape — and why choosing not to read the comments is an act of self-preservation.
Jacqui on Being an Introvert Despite Being a Presenter
Jacqui Losco is a self-described introvert who finds networking her worst nightmare. On camera she can follow a script, but unscripted socialising — even getting past small talk — is a genuine struggle she has never fully solved.
On-camera vs off-camera persona
Jacqui said she can 'act' for the camera and follow a script, but genuine social interaction off-camera remains a challenge for her as an introvert.
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