Malta’s Eurovision 2026 Cowboy, Aidan, Has Already Won Our Hearts
Malta’s most famous pop artist, Aidan, will represent Malta with his song Bella at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Aidan has gone all in for his Eurovision journey to Australia, becoming the first Eurovision artist ever to visit Australia’s shores as part of his promotional tour, performing for Sydney and Melbourne’s Maltese communities, as well as performing at OGAE’s [official Eurovision fan community] preview parties. But first, DNA’s resident Eurovision expert Cain Cooper, whisked the handsome cowboy off to see the sights.
Welcome to Sydney! You’re the first Eurovision artist to come to Australia ahead of the contest. Why us?
It was way overdue. Yes, the flight was 28 hours long, but why not? I honestly can’t believe that in 10 years of Australia participating in Eurovision, there was no other artist coming to Australia.
Did you sleep on the plane?
Not really, but we’re here! I’ve had the opportunity to meet some Maltese people in Melbourne and Sydney. They’re so proud that Malta is sending a song with lyrics that are in our language.
After trying to represent Malta a number of times, it was Bella that won Malta’s national final.
With regards to my previous entries, I do feel the most connected with Bella–the musicality of it comes straight from the heart. And I feel prepared for this, [gestures with outstretched arms] for all of this. Eurovision is way bigger than those few minutes on stage, and Bella fits right into the 70th anniversary of Eurovision; it fits right into Austria. Austria is known for classical music, and Bella‘s so orchestral.
Did you know when you were crafting Bella that you were onto something special?
It was the most emotional session I’ve ever had. I’ve written hundreds of songs, but as soon as I listened to the demo, I went up to the roof. It was a very sunny day in Valetta, and I was listening to it with my headphones, and it made me cry. It was the very first song that I’ve written that made me cry.
Bella features on your new album Cowboys Don’t Cry, do cowboys really not cry?
They definitely don’t. They tour, and they go to Australia.
The title track is an upbeat bop, Like I Used To Do has Maltese-language lyrics, too, Shiver also has grand orchestral moments; tell us about the album.
With the title track, I wanted to challenge the idea of masculinity. The idea that men cannot cry and show emotions. And it is a very emotional album, not in the sense of ballads, but lyrics-wise. Lyrically, I’ve matured as a songwriter since my very first album. From the first to last track, it feels like a journey, a rollercoaster of emotions. I wrote about 60 songs in total, so choosing the final 12 was not easy. But listening to the songs one after another feels like a whole story.
Who are your musical influences?
I grew up listening to soul, Motown, blues, jazz, Frank Sinatra, Etta James, Nina Simone. Since I started singing at eight or nine years old, I used to sing these very big songs: At Last, Feeling Good. And then Michael Bublé, Christina Aguilera… I’ve watched Burlesque like, 50 times. With the new album, I feel like my love of music has been reborn.
I hope Australians will listen to your other songs.
I wanted to do Eurovision first and foremost. It’s been a childhood dream of mine since I was seven years old, in 2007. I saw that big stage, all those songs, all those countries, I said to myself, one day I will have “Malta” written right after my name. Nowadays, I am an active artist in Malta. I want to share as much music as possible with more people. And what better way than releasing new music?
And we love that. We love the whole cowboy and leather look… are you baiting the gays?
Also the Australians! As soon as we landed in Sydney, I’ve seen a lot of people running around the streets with cowboy hats, also wearing cowboy hats at parties.
They’re dressing up as you.
The first time that I had this Western theme, this cowboy thing, was with Ritmu [Ritmu was released in 2022]. Then I kind of moved on, but last year we performed in a big venue in Malta – almost 10,000 people – which, for a Maltese audience, an amazing number. Hundreds of people were wearing the cowboy hats. It’s now part of my identity!
Will you wear one on the Eurovision stage?
Perhaps. Possibly. I mean, the cowboy look is there now, I’m living it. It’s even in the music video and in the national final performance.
What do you think Eurovision is a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community?
I’ve been to Eurovision twice as a fan, and the community is just breathtaking. I was speaking to one of the members of my team yesterday and we said there is a sense of care, there’s a sense of love within the community of Eurovision. It’s just so heart-warming to see this. And, it’s very important for all the members, that this keeps on going, that it lives on. What’s Eurovision without the fans?
Right! Eurovision is a big, hug… with toned, outstretched arms. How does one physically tone for Eurovision?
Physically, I try to train a lot. Whenever I have the time. I did a very short session yesterday in Melbourne, but it’s important to physically be active. Even though Bella is not the type of song requiring a lot of physical energy, breathing-wise, I still have to be up there all the time, because vocally it’s a challenging song.
How are you responding to questions around the politics and withdrawal of countries like Spain and Ireland during the competition? How can we remain “united by music”?
I’ve been following Eurovision for almost 20 years. It’s sad to see countries leaving. The way Eurovision still unites the fans, the way it unites the artists… I’ve met half of the artists and it’s such a pleasure meeting the other contestants.
Is there a group chat?
There is! We started off very active, now it’s kind of slowing down a bit. There are some which are very, very active. I’m not one of those. But it’s so sweet, it’s my first time living this and it is a true sentiment of Eurovision.
The Aussie contestant Delta Goodrem was married in Malta last year… what do you think of her song, Eclipse?
Oh, I loved it as soon as I heard it. I find myself singing it throughout the day. The chorus is so catchy and Delta’s vocals are just flawless. I heard her do soundcheck for the Nordic pre-party, watched her rehearsal. We were watching each other and it was a sweet moment. She’s one of the best there is this year.
Orville Peck suggests some cowboys are secretly fond of each other, Maltese cowboy to Australian cowboy, do you think that is true?
Hell, yes!
Malta will perform in the second semi-final on May 14th. Cowboys Don’t Cry is available on all streaming platforms.
