Who is ESSYLA? Meet Belgium's Eurovision 2026 entry

Ready to take Eurovision by storm is ESSYLA with a dance anthem that promises to get Vienna on its feet.

2026 marks 70 years since Belgium debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest, as it is one of seven countries that participated in the first edition in 1956.

Its first and, to date, only win came 40 years ago, when Sandra Kim brought victory to Belgium with J'aime La Vie in 1986.

After a run of four solo male artists, ESSYLA is the first solo female to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest this decade.

Here's everything you need to know about ESSYLA.

Who is Belgium Eurovision 2026 entry ESSYLA?

Instagram: @essaylaoff

TikTok: @essaylaoff

ESSYLA, whose real name is Alice Van Eesbeeck, is a singer who rose to fame in 2020 after reaching the final of the ninth season of The Voice Belgique.

She has been singing and performing in bands since a young age, having grown up on French songs, ESSYLA developed her own tastes by listening to jazz, folk, rock and funk.

ESSYLA kicked off her career with the release of her first two singles Let You Go and Not My Kind of Dude. After both were well received, she followed up with the release of her debut EP, I'll Be Okay.

This year will not be ESSYLA's first Eurovision experience as in 2019 she was in the Eurovision Choir, a choral competition which ran twice in 2017 and 2019. She was also a juror on the Belgian national jury for Eurovision in 2024.

How old is ESSYLA?

ESSYLA is 30 years old.

What nationality is ESSYLA?

ESSYLA is Belgian and is from Perwez, Walloon Brabant, Belgium.

What has ESSYLA said about representing Belgium at Eurovision 2026?

ESSYLA said that performing at Eurovision had been her "dream since childhood" and that she is incredibly grateful to be sharing this experience with her team and her family.

What is Belgium's Eurovision 2026 song called?

ESSYLA will be performing the song Dancing on the Ice, which was composed by ESSYLA, Nicolas d'Avell and Emil Stengele, with lyrics by ESSYLA and Barbara Petitjean.

Speaking on the meaning behind the song, ESSYLA said: "This is an anthem to the determination of youth, to its optimism and its ability to carve its own path.

"A generation that chooses to keep moving forward, to keep dreaming, to keep Dancing on the Ice; despite its fragility and despite everything that can crack or break in our world today."

Where did Belgium come in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?

Belgium's representative, Red Sebastian, failed to qualify for the 2025 Eurovision Grand Final, finishing 14th in the first semi-final with the song Strobe Lights.

The Eurovision Song Contest has faced significant criticism over its decision to allow Israel to take part in the event due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

This year, a number of countries will boycott the contest following the European Broadcasting Union’s decision not to expel Israel from the competition.

At the EBU general assembly in December 2025, a vote was held to introduce new rules that would stop governments and third parties from disproportionately promoting songs to influence voters. No vote was held on Israel’s participation.

The EBU said in a statement: “A large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place.”

Following this, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland confirmed they would not participate in this year’s Eurovision.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ said: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.”

The BBC, which broadcasts the competition in the UK, has said it supports the decision made by the EBU. “This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive,” it said in a statement.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

You can also check out the full list of Eurovision winners and how many times the UK has won Eurovision.

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