Episode 11: Essyla 🇧🇪

We go backstage at the London Eurovision Party to meet some of the stars of this year’s Contest. Steve chats to LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER from the United Kingdom about being a new dad, and Sarah Engels from Germany about lighting a fire in Vienna. He catches up with best friends COSMÓ from Austria and Eva Marija from Luxembourg, and the party’s hosts Sissal (Denmark, 2025) and Cesár Sampson (Austria, 2018) also join for a chat about life after Eurovision. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamara Živković is representing Montenegro with her empowerment anthem Nova Zora! The singer talks to Steve about her talent on the flute, her love of Lady Gaga and her special friendships with this year's contestants. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined by Essyla, who will be Dancing On The Ice for Belgium in Vienna. She meets Steve to chat about fulfilling her lifelong dream to sing at the Eurovision Song Contest, the support she's getting from her tiny city in Belgium, and the advice she's been getting from former Belgian entrants Gustaph and Mustii.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the 2020 contest was cancelled, Alicja from Poland is finally back to have her moment on the Eurovision stage. She talks to Steve about returning with her song Pray, her musical influences and how she set up the group chat for the Class of 2026. Marcus Tang also joins us from Bangkok to talk about the excitement of bringing the first ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia to life. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Latvian singer Atvara will be bringing raw emotion and drama to the Eurovision stage with her highly personal ballad Ēnā. She talks to Steve about the magic of the song, finding fame on TikTok and how she's already vibing with the Class of '26, including Australia's Delta Goodrem and Akylas from Greece. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a love letter to his country, Satoshi is heading to Vienna with the pulsing national anthem Viva, Moldova! He talks about the story behind his song, his love of Linkin Park and some of the hidden moments in his lyrics. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bulgaria’s superstar DARA is ready to bring the energy to Vienna! The singer talks to Steve Holden about the meaning of her song Bangaranga and bringing Bulgaria back to the Eurovision Song Contest.  The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonas Lovv is looking to make his mark on the Eurovision Song Contest as he competes for Norway with the song Ya Ya Ya. He talks to Steve about his huge win at the Norwegian national final, his love of Queen's Freddie Mercury, and tells us about his impressive array of tattoos. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Antigoni is living out a childhood dream by representing Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest. She talks about her song Jalla, honouring her Cypriot roots and performing on stage with Hollywood star Jason Momoa. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Søren Torpegaard Lund talks about channelling his 'inner-Britney' as he gets ready to represent Denmark in Vienna. He talks about his musical theatre background, his energetic staging of Før vi går hjem and his love for 2025's entry Sissal. The Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast is produced and presented for the EBU by Steve Holden. The music is composed by Will Kitchener. Design by Ángela Espejo & Chris Fox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices