‘Homework would be a great break from performing’: Meet the Junior Eurovision stars | Eurovision

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It was one of the TV moments of the year. In May, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra garnered a wave of continent-wide public support to claim a sensational victory at the 66th Eurovision Song Contest in Turin. Meanwhile, 10.6 million viewers in the UK watched the climax of new National Champion Sam Rider (essentially a cross between a golden retriever and Jesus) who single-handedly repaired our shattered Euro reputation by finishing in a happy second place with his anthem to the Spaceman.

Now, Eurovision is back. Yes, indeed – albeit in pint form. To capitalize on the competition’s newfound credibility and before Liverpool hosts the main competition next year, Junior Eurovision is being shown on the BBC for the first time. Launched in 2003 for talented singers ages 9 to 14, the youth edition follows the same format as the adult event with live performances, online voting, and national juries, but be warned: no one ever scores “nul points.” That would be very tough on the children.

The UK is taking part for the first time since 2005, although Wales competed independently in 2018 and 2019. CBBC favorite Lauren Layfield and vowel-singer HRVY will host coverage as the historic 20 contest takes place in the Armenian capital Yerevan on Sunday, with 16 competing countries. Stock up on snacks, drinks and flags to wave – and in the meantime, meet five young singers vying for the coveted title…

Freya Sky (United Kingdom)

The song: Lose My Head, which Layfield calls “certified pop”. “It’s a powerful, uplifting song about putting the past behind you,” Freya says. “Having your friends by your side and moving forward.”

The singer: The 13-year-old Buckinghamshire schoolgirl found out she had been chosen to represent the UK when her parents took her to London’s Apollo Theater on the pretext that she needed to do another audition. Instead, it surprised Welsh singer and West End artist Lucie Jones, who broke the news of her choice to go to Armenia. “I told my parents then!” Freya says. “I was surprised they managed to keep it a secret. My mom is the type to tell you what to get for Christmas.” X Factor Jones alumnus competed in Eurovision herself in 2017 and Freya took it aside for some words of advice: “She told me to enjoy the whole process and write everything down because so much happens, it’ll fly by in the blink of an eye.”

Freya is a fan of Eurovision (“We watch every year with snacks and syndicate jacks — that rhymes!”), so I asked her if she knew a lot about the old acts. “I know Abba was in it,” she says. I find myself explaining Bucks Fizz’s skirt ripping routine and she looks somewhat shocked. Her love for music started when she was given a karaoke machine for Christmas when she was five years old and she couldn’t stop singing to Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe. Nowadays she is the biggest fan of Anne-Marie. During the lockdown, she taught herself to play the piano and started writing her own songs. “Music and my dog ​​Robbie kept me sane,” she says.

If a music career doesn’t work out, her backup plans are to be a soccer player (she’s a Tottenham fan and plays every lunchtime at school) or to start her own bath bomb company (“I know, a little random”). Her homework is set in Armenia and she also has online tutoring sessions. I bet Sam Ryder didn’t have to do the math before Eurovision. “Yeah, but he’s already graduated,” she says. “A little history or homework in English would be a great break from performing.”

Lisandro (France)

Song: Oh Maman! , a swinging anthem about self-belief calling Lisandro “a cross between Elvis and Bruno Mars”.

Singer: For a 13-year-old from a small village in eastern France, Lissandro has a somewhat surprising musical taste. “I love rock music and my idol is Elvis Presley,” he says. “I also love British bands like Queen, UB40 and The Beatles.” When he auditioned for the French version of The Voice Kids two years ago, his rendition of Presley’s early song Too Much had all four judges turn their big red chairs and then join him on stage to dance. It earned him the nickname “Elvissandro” and he went through to the final.

He sweetly apologizes for his English but there is no need – especially when he sings in five wonderful languages. In preparation for Junior Eurovision, Lissandro met the last four French representatives. “They all advised me to enjoy every moment because it is such an amazing experience,” he says. “They’re right – it’s the adventure of a lifetime.”

Lisandro would like to become a professional singer one day but wisely adds: “My priority in life is to be happy. If not a singer, my dream is to become a speech therapist.” He has a pet rabbit named Kalino and a little dog named Roxy. Do they enjoy singing it? “Yes! Roxy does bark sometimes…but in a happy way.” What if Lisandro wins Eurovision Junior and France lifts the World Cup? He smiles: “One amazing victory, two victories are better!”

Sophie Lennon (Ireland)

Song: Solas, an ethereal song about a guiding light. “It’s about mental health,” Sophie says. Even in dark times, like Covid or war [in Ukraine]Everyone has this light inside of them.

The singer: Her father, Marcus, tells 13-year-old Sophie about Ireland’s illustrious Eurovision history, including two-time winner Johnny Logan and two-time loser Jedward (“They judge me in a pre-entry contest, they’re so funny”). However, I was amusingly baffled when I mentioned Dustin the Turkey from 2008. “This was a low point for Ireland,” chips in Marcus. “Dark day. Johnny Logan was great but oh my god, the turkey! “

Sophie, who hails from Mayobridge in County Down, has become such a local celebrity that she lights up the village’s Christmas lights. “It was crazy,” she says. “Everywhere I go, he wishes me luck.” With that title, is music in her blood? “My great-grandmother was originally from Liverpool, same street as Paul McCartney’s, so you never know.”

Sophie shot the video for Solas at a nearby lighthouse, with the cliff-top setting and her medieval dress giving her a Game of Thrones vibe. “One of the sets of Game of Thrones is 10 minutes from here,” she says. “Once in a while you see a whole army, just casually crossing the road. It’s a tourist attraction now.”

Her musical heroes are close to home. “My grandmother and my granddaughter inspire me a lot,” she says. “They’re in their 80s now but they used to be in a band called The Untouchables who toured all over the place.” It was her grandfather who inadvertently set Sophie on the path to viral stardom: “I sent him a video of myself singing Oh Holy Night, his favorite Christmas carol. My mom posted it on Facebook, thinking some friends might like it, and then the comments and likes popped in.” 7 million views!”

Sophie is a registered carer for her disabled older brother Connor: “He’s non-verbal and can’t feed himself, so I help him with all his needs.” What does Connor think of your singing? “He loves her,” said Moshaa. “Last night when I was practicing Solas, he started intoning and imitating the words.” If a music career doesn’t work out, she would like to become a doctor “because I grew up helping Connor and would love to do the same for others.”

Nicolas Alves (Portugal)

Song: Anos 70, an old rock number with gentle vocals. “The chorus is about how I’d like to be born in the ’70s, but the message is just to be myself,” says Nicholas. “Don’t change who you are, whether it’s your musical taste or your looks.”

Singer: When I mention The Office, Nicholas laughs in appreciation for having grown up in an unexpected place in Slough, home of fictional paper merchants Wernham Hogg. The parents of the 13-year-old Brazilian moved to Europe for work, so Nicholas was born in England and lived here until the age of ten. “I have fond memories of Slough, and my friends there,” he says. “I hope they will support me on Sunday, along with entering the UK.”

He now resides near Lisbon and has only lived there for three years, and says that representing Portugal “is a big deal for me. It helped me connect with Portuguese culture.” Does he really wish he was born in the ’70s? He smiles, “I think.” “A lot of my influences come from that time. The music from that era is incredible.”

Nicola knew he wanted to be a singer when he watched Queen’s Live Aid perform on YouTube: “I was just mesmerized by Freddie Mercury’s voice and the control he has over the crowd.” He actually linked up with French Lissandro in an Instagram group chat because they have a lot in common. Not only do they share a love for Queen, Led Zeppelin and Elvis, but they are both finalists on The Voice Kids in their respective countries.

Besides playing the guitar, Nicola’s hobby is cooking with his mother, Maria. “My favorite things are fish and chips or a Victoria sponge,” he laughs. “I love British food. I told you I have fond memories of Slow! “

Zlata Dzyonka (Ukraine)

Song: Unbreakable, an anti-war song co-written by Zlata herself. “It is a prayer, an appeal to God about all the hardships that Ukraine has experienced,” she says.

Diva: If 14-year-old Zlata seems wise beyond her years, it’s because she had to be. “War is close to all Ukrainians,” she says. “It’s not safe anywhere because we have a massive invasion.” Did Zalata lose anyone close to her? “I don’t think so. At least, my parents didn’t tell me if we had it. But my uncle is at war and my friend’s father is missing.”

Unsurprisingly, she was inspired by Kalush’s orchestra’s victory seven months earlier: “Everyone was talking about it. That’s why I wanted to participate. Any victory is important for Ukraine nowadays to lift morale. It’s a big responsibility to bring my song to so many people, And it is important that this message comes from a child. Children are affected by war too. I am proud to be a Ukrainian child with this unique opportunity to share what is happening back home.”

The candlelit video for her song appeared partly out of necessity: “It was filmed in a bomb shelter and the power supply failed, so we had to improvise. The candles symbolize all the Ukrainian children who suffered during the war. The shelter was in a church basement, which seemed fitting for a hymn-like song.”

Her performance would be stripped down: “I’ll be the only one on stage. I want people to focus on the message of my song. I don’t want to distract them with ballet or anything.” Back home, an entire nation would be cheering her on. “My friends will get together, watch the parade and wave flags. If the power supply allows them, of course,” Zlata says with a wistful smile. “Victory will be the best gift for Ukraine at Christmas. It will motivate people to keep going, no matter how scary it is.”

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will be broadcast on BBC One, CBBC and iPlayer on December 11 at 3pm.

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