Three young singers, Hayla, Maisie, and Yazmin, have been selected to form a new girl group called STAND UNIQU3 and represent the United Kingdom at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Nice, France on Sunday 26 November. The group was formed after an extensive audition process, during which producers recognised their chemistry as a group.
This marks the first time that a group will represent the UK at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The song “Back To Life”, written by Sky Adams, Jakke Erixson, and Jack Hawitt, who have previously written for renowned artists such as Jason Derulo, Lauren Spencer Smith, Kylie Minogue, and Ava Max.
Hayla, a 12-year-old resident of Liverpool, possesses a captivating family background in relation to the Eurovision Song Contest. Notably, her grandfather had the privilege of serving as a backing dancer for the United Kingdom’s entry in 1987.
Meanwhile, Maisie, a 13-year-old hailing from Essex, finds immense joy in the realms of singing, dancing, and acting on stage. Furthermore, she shares a special bond with her grandad through their shared interest in clay pigeon shooting. Additionally, Maisie finds solace in the art of relaxation and has developed a fascination for collecting crystals.
Similarly, Yazmin, a 12-year-old residing in Newcastle, possesses a remarkable affinity for performing in front of audiences, particularly in the domains of Latin and Ballroom dancing. When not captivating crowds with her graceful moves, Yazmin finds solace in the company of her cherished chihuahua, Tinkerbell. Moreover, she channels her creativity through the art of storytelling and indulges in the pleasure of shopping.
The UK representatives were informed of their selection by BBC Radio 1’s Dean McCullough, surprising the trio of singers. They were invited to a dance studio in central London, under the pretence of attending an additional audition. It was during this gathering that Dean revealed the news of their selection to travel to France in November.
Patricia Hidalgo Reina, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, said, “The Junior Eurovision Song Contest was a real spectacle and success for us last year and we’re very happy that we have a new calendar moment for fans of Eurovision and a brand new girl group for audiences to get behind. We have a great song and high hopes for our brilliant trio, STAND UNIQU3, and we want families everywhere to cheer on Hayla, Maisie and Yazmin and watch them represent the UK in the competition across BBC Two, CBBC and iPlayer.”
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place in Nice, France and will be aired on CBBC in the United Kingdom.
The national juries and global online voting will determine the winner. Voting will commence on Friday 24 November, allowing everyone to vote for three countries. In contrast to the main Eurovision Song Contest, individuals will have the opportunity to vote for their own country. Stay updated by visiting junioreurovision.tv.
