Eurovision in Vienna is just less than a month away. In the lead-up to the start of rehearsals, we will get to know a bit more about this year’s artists, their discography, and their Eurovision 2026 journey so far. The next artist in this year’s preview is Belgium’s ESSYLA.
ESSYLA’s Eurovision journey so far
Belgium teetered on the edge of withdrawing from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, but eventually confirmed under Walloon broadcaster RTBF in December. Ditching the established national selection from the Flemish broadcaster, RTBF opted for an internal selection, revealing ESSYLA as the Belgian entrant on February 19th. She will perform in 11th position in the first semi-final.
ESSYLA’s song for Eurovision 2026 – “Dancing on the Ice” – was written by ESSYLA herself, alongside Barbara Petitjean, Emil Stengele and Nicolas d’Avell.
What do we think of “Dancing on the Ice”?
The team at That Eurovision Site has reacted to Belgium’s entry for Vienna. Tetiana gave her thoughts on “Dancing on the Ice”, which you can check out below.
Who is ESSYLA?
ESSYLA is the stage name of Alice Van Eesbeeck, a singer born in Perwez in Wallonia, Belgium’s francophone region. Growing up in between Flanders and Wallonia, she showed a musical prowess from a young age, adopting her stage name as she was getting into the music scene. She first gained notoreity in 2020 when she competed in The Voice Belgique, finished second behind Jérémie Makiese, who would represent Belgium in 2022. Since then, she has released solo music, with her debut single being released one year later.
Belgium’s Eurovision journey
Belgium was one of the debutant countries at the beginning of the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1956. For the first edition, countries could submit two songs, and for Belgium that year, ‘Messieurs les noyès de la Seine’ by Fud Leclerc and ‘Le plus beau jour de ma vie’ by Mony Marc represented the nation. To this day we do not know the final results of Eurovision 1956. Belgium have taken part in 64 Eurovision Song Contests; however, they have only ever won once: in 1986 with Sandra Kim and the song ‘J’amie la vie’, scoring 176 points.
Belgium chose Red Sebastian to represent the nation with “Strobe Lights” in 2025. Competing in the first semi-final, Belgium scored 23 points, placing fourteenth and ultimately missing out on the Grand Final for the second year in a row.
What do you think of “Dancing on the Ice”? Are you excited to see what ESSYLA will do in Vienna? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Tumblr, Threadsand Blueskyas we gear up for Eurovision 2026!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: RTBF