Valerie and Ben to host Junior Eurovision 2016

Get to know Valerie

Valerie Vella is a well-known face to Maltese television audiences. She has been presenting and hosting a variety of programs, shows, festivals and national events for the last 22 years. Her Eurovision experience is second to none, having been Head of Press of the Maltese delegation twice, Malta's voting spokesperson on another two occasions and the Maltese commentator for the Semi-Finals and Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 and 2010. She also hosted the Maltese national final three times and commented on the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for six years in a row. She speaks five languages and loves travelling.

Valerie holds a Bachelors degree in Education and a Masters Degree in Conference Interpreting and besides her TV work she is also a freelance interpreter with the EU institutions. Valerie is super excited to be involved once again in the Eurovision scene she loves so much. "Brace yourselves for a fantastic show and some great fun!” she told us.

This is Ben

Ben Camille is one of Malta's most popular actors and presenters at the moment. He has stolen the hearts of many TV viewers with his charming looks and humble charisma. He is currently playing lead role in Malta's most watched TV series Strada Stretta as Mario. Ben is also presenting a TV show called Twelve to 3 on Malta's national TV station TVM.

In 2016 Ben was also seen hosting the Maltese national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Juggling his life between his extremely active career in the world of entertainment, family and friends, Ben also enjoys the work he does for charity and is hoping to continue doing more charity work with the aim to help people and animals in need.

Besides the couple hosting the Junior Eurovision Song Contest live show this year, the organisers also announced the hosts of the Red Carpet and the Opening Ceremony.

... but there's more!

Along with the hosts of the TV show, we can also reveal the hosts of the Opening Ceremony and Red Carpet.

Taryn Mamo Cefai who will host the Opening Ceremony, is currently playing the lead role in Malta's most watched TV series Strada Stretta as Lydia. She made her debut in arts at the age of three as a ballerina with Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet, obtaining an Advanced Level in ballet. She was bitten by the acting bug later after securing a scholarship with Stagecoach School for Performing Arts and continued her studies in London at Bird College, graduating with a Foundation Degree in Musical Theatre.

Taryn graduated this year with bachelors degree in Communications from the University of Malta and currently works as a Marketing Executive. She is also very passionate about female empowerment and hopes that she can be a role model to other young girls out there.

Larissa Bonaci, who will host the contest's official Red Carpet, trained at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, and starred as an actress in various local television series and theatre performances. 

She graduated from the University of Malta obtaining a degree in Psychology in 2014 and is currently doing a Masters in Theatre Studies and Performance. Currently she is producing an entertainment programme, scheduled to air on one of Malta’s leading television stations as of January 2017.