Prior to the 2016 Contest, Malta had participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest eleven times since its first entry in 2003 only opting not to participate at the 2010, 2011 and 2012 contests. Malta has won on two occasions: in 2013 when Gaia Cauchi won with the song "The Start", and again in 2015 when Destiny Chukunyere came first with "Not My Soul" when it won the contest with 185 points, breaking the previous record held by Spain for the most points ever given to a winner.