Junior Eurovision 2021 Rehearsals Day 1: First Rehearsals for the 1st set of nine countries
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Junior Eurovision 2021 rehearsals kick off in Paris and the 9 out of the 19 competing acts took the stage to rehearse their entries on the stage of La Seine Musicale, the concert hall that will host this year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Namely Portugal, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Georgia, Spain and Poland were scheduled to make their first rehearsals of their Junior Eurovision 2021 entries.
Let's go and see one by one the nine countries that took the stage and did their first rehearsal of their entry:
Portugal
The first act to rehearse for thr first time on stage was Simão Oliveira from Portugal who will be singing "O Rapaz" (The Boy). He will be performing 19th in Sunday's Live show.
Olivera appaers on stage wearing an orange jacket and flat cap and his staging present him alone spotlighted on stage. A rather minimal and neat staging which allows to direct the audience's attention to the amazing vocals the Portuguese act delivers throughout the song.
A few words for Simão Oliveira
Simão Oliveira is 13 years old from Arouca. He lives with his parents and his 8-year-old sister, Rita. Everyone in the family likes to sing and are very excited, but no one has the dream of pursuing a career. The mother works at the Town Hall and the father at the Santa Casa.
He started singing at the age of 4 .When he started listening to fado , at the age of 6, he fell in love. There he wanted to start listening to the oldest and most traditional themes and fado singers.
He frequents the youth band of Arouca and plays the clarinet . Friends find it very funny to sing fado, because it is fashionable, but when they sing the classics they always think it is old. He does not care! His references are Tony de Matos, Amália, and recently Zambujo.
This year he participated in the Portuguese edition of The Voice Kids, which he won.
Ireland
Second act to for his first rehearsal is Maiú Levi Lawlor from Ireland. Maiú will be performing the song "Saor" (Disappear) and will be appearing 8th on stage in Sunday live show.
Maiú Levi Lawlor appears alone on stage wearing a black shacket and a white t-shirt underneath. He delivers his song in a very energetic way while a video wall on the backdrop displaysdifferent colourful graphics throughtout his performance.
A few words for Maiu
Maiú Levi Lawlor was born in 2007 in Greystones in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland. So far has has peformed in several local stages whilst in 2017 he performed “Don’t Rain On My Parade” on The Late Late Toy Show.
He reached the Junior Eurovision stage after winning the Irish national selection Junior Eurovision Éire in the final of which he performed Ireland’s 2013 Eurovision entry “Only Love Survives”, and James Bay’s “Hold Back The River”.His JESC 2021 entry 'Saor" has been created by a group of Maltese and Irish songwriters with an experience in Eurovision or Junior Eurovision. Namely the the people that teamed up in order to contribute to the Irish Junior Eurovision 2021 entry are: Niall Mooney – Co-writer of the Irish Eurovision 2010 and Junior Eurovision 2019 songs. Lauren White Murphy , Brendan McCarthy, LA Halvery, Anna Kearney – Junior Eurovision 2019 representative who co-wrote her own entry., Anna Banks – Contributed in the lyrics of Ireland’s JESC 2019 entry at Junior Eurovision 2019 ,Cyprian Cassar – Maltese songwriter who is behind the lyrics of the Maltese entry for Junior Eurovision 2018 & 2021.
Malta
Next up on stgae to make their first rehearsal were Ike and Kaya from Malta who in Sunday's live show will be performing 4th. The Maltese duet will be singing the song 'My Home' and it seems that they are making the stage their home conveying an overwhelming vibe of warmness and sensitivity.
The two of them appear on stage wearing outfits of a different style. Kaya is wearing a short gown with tulles, looking like a princess that has came out of a fairytale while Ike is dressed in a more sporty, alternative urban style tracksuit. While their apperance inidcates two different worlds they deliver their song in harmony and matching with each other.
In the background a blossom tress is display, with the backdrop splitting after into a nature and urban setting to adjust itself to the acts different style of appearances.
A few words for Ike and Kaya
Ike Mizzi has been involved in the music industry for around 2 years and a half, and his life has never been better ever since. He had the opportunity to participate in local festivals and even local music videos. He is also very honoured to say that he took part in Keen’v music video “Pour y arriver” as the main actor.
For Kaya Gouder Curmi music has been her passion since when she was five years old. She have competed in different festivals such as SanRemo Junior where she placed first in her category. She also had the opportunity to participate in last year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest and reached the final.
Of all the mentioned competitions and festivals, Malta’s Got Talent is the competition which holds the best place in their heart because it was in this competition that they were united and started to perform their popular duets. They are proud that they managed to make it through the finals and place 4th of all thise talentes contestans. All these experiences have helped them to become more confident together on stage and they cannot wait to share more experiences together.
Their Junior Eurovision 2021 entry has been penned by Owen Leuellen & MUXU while behind the composition is Cyprian Cassar.
Netherlands
The next first rehearsal is for Ayana from the Netherlands who in Sunday's live show will be performing 15th. Ayana will be performing the song “Mata Sugu Aō Ne”.Ayana' s Junior Euovision he song has a unique mix of Dutch, English and Japanese.
Ayana take the stage and is accompanied by two dancers. They are all dressed in traditional japanese dresses. No surprise as Ayana has set up staging intergrating some of her Japanese heritage, as her mother comes from Japan. The Japanes lyrics included in the songs, the traditional 'kamigata mai’ (fan dancing) by the dancers during the performance along with the pink blossom on the backdrop are element inspired by Ayana's family backround.
A few words for Ayana
Ayana Voss was born on May 7 2007 in Bussum in North Holland to an English father and a Japanese mother. She has two older twin sisters, Selina and Emina. Ayana has already a wide experience of singing before she auditioned for the Junior Song Contest. For 4 years he was part of “Kinderen vor Kinderan”, one of the Netherlands' greatest children's choir.
Her entry “Mata sugu aō ne” ( See you soon) is inspired by he fact of not been able to see her releatives in Japan for such a long time.
Germany
Next up on stage to make her first rehearsal is Pauline from the Germany who will be opening Sunday's live show performing 1st. Pauline will be performing the song “Imagine Us ”.
Pauline will be the first contestant to perform this year's show with an uptempo, energetic and colorful perfromance, marking a spectacular opening for the live show. Pauline is accompanied by two dancers. On the background cartoon protestors are projected holding different placards with earth and peace symbol.
An uplifting optimistic staging showcasing how to see a brighter future through a children's eyes.
A few words for Pauline
Pauline is twelve years old and comes from Wolken in Rhineland-Palatinate. Apart from singing she plays the piano and drums. She has taking part and won several awards at “Jugend musiziert”. She reached the Junior Eurovsion stage after winning the German national final held by Kika.
Italy
The reharsal continue with the first rehearsal for Elisabetta Lizza from the Italy who will be appearing on stage in Sunday's live show 5th. Elisabetta will be performing the song "Specchio (The Mirror on the wall)" .
Elisabetta gets on stage for her first rehearsal and rocks the house with the performance of her entry. Elisabetta brings rock music on the Junior Eurovision stage bringing along Maneskin's rock vibes from Rotterdam. The Italian hopeful along with her dancers are all dressed in black in white, while the backdrop is dominated by blue, white and purple lights.
A few words for Elisabetta
Elisabetta Lizza is originally from Ardo, a small town in the province of Brescia, which belongs to a peculiar hilly area also known as '' Franciacorta ''.
The young singer has experienced big stages and audences as she has been performing in musicals and participating in local competitions the last three years. Without doubt all this previous experience have made her ready now to take the bigger stage of Junior Eurovision 2021.
Elisabetta sings, dances and plays the piano and as she has stated, the two things that make her happy are playing the piano and eating Italian with her family and friends. Her favorite artists are Sam Smith, Bruno Mars and of course Måneskin!
Georgia
Next up on stage to make his first rehearsal is Niko Kajaia from the Georgia who will be appearing on stage in Sunday's live show 2nd. Niko will be performing the song “Let’s Count The Smiles”.
Niko takes the stage and delivers a totally energetic performance dominated by colors and a dance staging in full motion. He is wearing a blue blazer with a turqouise turtle neck beneath it and white trousers. Niko is accompanied by two dancers dressed with intensed color overalls and white shirts with colorful patterns.
A really bright unptempo performance that without doubt brings the smiles around to count.
A few words for Niko
Nikoloz Kajaia is a young singer from the Georgian capital Tbilisi aged 10 years old. He is the second male solo act to represent Georgia in Junior Eurovision after Giorgi Rostiashvili back in 2019. Besides singing Niko enjoys very much to watch at cartoons.
He reached the Junior Eurovision stage after winning Ranina 2021 the show that selects the country's JESC representatives. His entry has been composed by Giga Kukhianidze while the lyrics have been penned by Irina Sanikidze. The song is peformed in French and Georgian.
Spain
The rehearsal progress to the eighth act with Levi Díaz from Spain to make his first rehearsal, who will be performing 16th in Sunday's live show. Levi will be singing 'Reίr' (Laugh).
Levi takes the stage joined by four dancers! They are old dressed in jean blue trousers and white shirts. Levi gives an outstanding energetic performance urging the audience to dance and laugh as the song is titled. The choreography unfolds in front of a train carriage while the background features spray paint grafitties and corlorful neon visual graphics of a city landscape in a sunset light environment.
If this is not a 'revolutionary' uptempo performance, an invitation to dance and laugh, what is!
A few words for Levi
Levi Díaz is 13 years old and is the current winner of the sixth edition of 'La Voz Kids' in Spain. Although he started in music a little over a year ago, he has had enough time to decide which style he likes the most, pop, because it is the one that allows him the most interpretation. Frank Sinatra is his idol. His voice, his tone, the rhythm of his songs captivated him.
In 'La Voz Kids' he won after performing songs like' Mama No 'with Pablo López,' Diamonds', 'Warrior', 'Alive' by Sia, or the very demanding song 'Never enough' from the OST of 'The greatest showman '.
Levi Díaz, born in Cornellà de Llobregat, transmits with just a glance, but his velvety and emotional voice captured the attention of the entire public, thus crowning himself, with much competition, the winner of the contest.
Levi Díaz is currently preparing to improve his vocal technique, in addition to continuing his studies. He has become a clear example for other young people who, like him, want to make a place for themselves in the world of music. In 2019, he participated in the first edition of 'La Voz de Cornellà' and won the first prize in the youth category, in addition to receiving public recognition with the award for the most charismatic contestant.
Poland
Last on stage for today to make her first rehearsal is Sara James from Poland. Sara will be appearing 3rd on stage in Sunday's Live show, singing her the song 'Somebody'.
Sara takes the stage and unfolds her own fairytale story! Dressed in floral pink tulle dress she is accompanied by four dancers wearing pink and blue pastel colored body suits. The choreography unwinds with the dancers holding glittering silver tree branches and intergrating in their dance moves, a ballet form of motion. On the backdrop a sparkling in different colors magic tree reinforces the overall image of a fairytale story unfolding on stage.
A few words for Sara Egwu-James
The gifted 13-year-old comes from Słubice. She has both Polish and Nigerian roots, inherited from her father. Sara is a very family person, so her passion for music comes from the comfort of her home. Her parents are Arleta Dancewicz and John James (musician known from, among others, the X-factor).
Currently, she attends the Primary School in Ośnie and also attends the 1st Level Music School in Słubice, where she learns to play the piano. Her vocal training workshop is taking place under the watchful eye of Edyta Kręgiel at the SMOK Cultural Center in Słubice. Her interests focus primarily on music, while Sara also enjoys dancing and cooking. Her signature dish is American pancakes. The young artist is also happy to share her achievements on Instragram, where she can be found most often.
Her career took off for good when she appeared in the fourth edition of The Voice Kids which she eventually won. However, this was not her first contact with this program. Sara took part in one of the previous editions, but dropped out at the pre-casting stage. The extra time to train her skills allowed her to come back in style.
Performing the song Anyone by Demi Lovato, Sara Egwu-James stole the hearts of jurors and viewers. Everyone turned, but the singer chose the team of Tomson and Baron, under whose coaching she reached the final of the competition and won it. In the program she was hailed as the Polish Whitney Houston, which the young singer is very happy about. Her dream is to reach the level of the artist in the future.
News Source: Junioreurovision.tv
Images: Andres Putting/EBU
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