Essyla
Essyla | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alice Van Eesbeeck March 27, 1997[1] Perwez, Walloon Brabant, Belgium |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2019–present |
| Label | Blue Milk |
Alice Van Eesbeeck (born 1997), known professionally as Essyla (often stylized in all caps), is a Belgian singer and songwriter. In 2020, she rose to prominence as a finalist on the ninth season of The Voice Belgique. She is set to represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Dancing on the Ice".
Early life and education
Essyla was born in Perwez, Walloon Brabant, Belgium.[3] She grew up in a musical environment, split between Flanders, where her father resides, and Walloon Brabant, where her mother lives. Her stage name, "Essyla", is a creative derivative of her birth name, "Alice", created by reversing said name.[4]
She attended the Royal Superior Institute of Music and Pedagogy (IMEP) in Namur.[5] During her youth, she was heavily influenced by French chanson, though she later developed appreciation for American jazz, folk, rock, and funk.[6]
Career
In 2020, Essyla, then performing under her birth name, competed during the ninth season of The Voice Belgique, where she joined the team of Belgian singer Typh Barrow. She ultimately finished as the runner-up to Jérémie Makiese, who later represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[7] Prior to this, she participated in the Eurovision Choir 2019 in Gothenburg, Sweden, as part of the choir Almakalia who represented Belgium.[8]
Following The Voice Belgique, Essyla began building a solo career while working as a backing vocalist for established artists, including her former coach Typh Barrow and rapper Ben'do.[9] In 2023, she released her debut single "Let You Go".[10] That same year, she released her first extended play, I'll Be Okay.[11]
On 19 February 2026, it was announced that she will be representing Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Dancing on the Ice".[12]
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| I'll Be Okay |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEL (FL) [14] | |||
| "Let You Go" | 2023 | — | I'll Be Okay |
| "Not My Kind of Dude" | — | ||
| "Your Letters" | 2024 | — | |
| "Alone Tonight" | — | ||
| "Tip Toe" | 2025 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Dancing on the Ice" | 2026 | 39 |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|
| "Des larmes de toi" (Arty Leiso featuring Essyla) |
2025 | Éclipse |
References
- ^ "Waalse 'The Voice'-finaliste Essyla (29) gaat naar Eurovisiesongfestival met 'gedurfde song', beluister hier het nummer" [Walloon 'The Voice' finalist Essyla (29) goes to Eurovision Song Contest with 'daring song', listen to the song here]. Het Laatste Nieuws (in Flemish). 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Gagnez vos places pour Essyla au Botanique !" [Win tickets to Essyla at Botanique!] (in French). Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Essyla représentera la Belgique à l'Eurovision avec la chanson "Dancing on the Ice"" [Essyla will represent Belgium at Eurovision with the song "Dancing on the Ice"] (in French). BX1. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "ESSYLA will represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Dancing on the ice'". VRT International. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Essyla vertritt Belgien beim ESC" [Essyla represents Belgium at the ESC] (in German). Belgischer Rundfunk. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Samantha (19 February 2026). "ESSYLA to represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026". That Eurovision Site. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Land, Craig (19 February 2026). "Essyla will represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026 with Dancing on the Ice". Aussievision. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "België stuurt Essyla met 'Dancing on the ice' naar Songfestival" [Belgium sends Essyla to Eurovision with 'Dancing on the Ice'] (in Flemish). VRT NWS. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Artists: Essyla". FKP Scorpio. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ David, Aurélien (21 March 2023). ""Let you go", le premier single pop d'Essyla, ancienne participante de The Voice" ["Let you go", the first pop single from Essyla, a former contestant on The Voice] (in French). Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Belgium: Essyla to Eurovision 2026 with "Dancing on the Ice"". Eurovision World. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "ESSYLA will represent Belgium in May". Eurovision.com. European Broadcasting Union. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "I'll be okay - EP - Album by Essyla". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Essyla – Dancing on the Ice" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 2 March 2026.