Belfast schoolgirl excited to reach final of Junior Eurovision competition
Good luck for Sunday's final Isla 👏
Last updated 11th Oct 2024
11-year-old viral sensation Isla McManus from Belfast is ready to wow the judges this weekend with the hope of representing Ireland at the Junior Eurovision 2024 competition.
Isla first shot to fame during lockdown when she went viral on social media with her rendition of ‘Dance Monkey’ at her local Pride party in Tiger’s Bay.
Since then, Isla has continued to sing here, there and everywhere - regularly busking in Belfast city centre, performing at Christmas light switch on’s & local events, she also sang live on the Cool Saturday Show and Downtown Breakfast.
Alana Patterson, Isla’s mother, explains how the youngster was scouted for the Junior Eurovision at a recent competition. “Isla recently won the Ivory Sessions, and Mark from the competition contacted me to say that Junior Eurovision had been in touch asking usus to contact them about the show.
“So we arranged for Isla to go along to auditions in Dublin, which was such an amazing experience.”
Isla describes this exciting new journey as a dream come true. “The whole experience of Junior Eurovision has been amazing, the TG4 team are fantastic - shout out to Rob (producer) and Elaine (vocal coach).”
This weekend, Isla and her family will travel to the final, which will see the three remaining contestants performing two songs each. There is no voting element this year, the decision will be down to the judges.
Mummy Alana adds; “For Isla to win Junior Eurovision would just mean the whole world, she has worked so hard and really deserves it.”
Listen back to Isla’s rendition of Gavin James’
The winner of Sunday’s final, will then travel to Madrid for the grand final on Saturday 16 November, where Europe’s most-talented youngsters perform to win the world-famous title and trophy.
You’ve got this Isla! GOOD LUCK
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