With the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015 less than two weeks away, Australia’s Bella Paige is working hard to perfect her performance of ‘My Girls’. In this exclusive interview, the runner-up of “The Voice Kids of Australia” 2014 tells Australian wiwiblogger Josh about her selection, her message of empowerment, and what it was like to work with pop music legend Delta Goodrem. If you aren’t already excited about JESC 2015, then Bella’s enthusiasm will certainly get you going. Enjoy!
Congratulations on being selected for Australia at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015. How did you react when you found out you’d been chosen?
The moment I realised I was just so honoured and grateful. It’s the most amazing opportunity and I’m so honoured to have this opportunity. I was so excited and so happy.
Your song ‘My Girls’ is about female empowerment and being strong and fierce. Why do you think this message is so important?
I think it’s so important and for anyone, not just girls. Everyone needs to be strong and believe in themselves. Everyone needs to know they are beautiful and I think this is the perfect song for people to realise they are strong and that they can do it!
Bella Paige’s “My Girls”
You’re a former finalist on “The Voice Kids of Australia”. How does the experience compare with your experience with Junior Eurovision thus far?
“The Voice Kids” experience was amazing. I learned so much and the people that I met were incredible. I got to work with amazing people like my coaches Joel and Benji Madden. That was the most incredible experience, and I enjoyed the whole journey and am so grateful for it. Now leading into Junior Eurovision it’s now on a global stage so it’s even bigger, not only just in Australia. I’m looking forward to it.
Delta Goodrem co-wrote your song. What has it been like to work with one of Australia’s best and most successful artists?
Delta Goodrem is the most amazing person and artist. I’ve had the honour to work with her and meet her and to have her support. She is the most beautiful person and I’m so lucky to have shared this song with her and have written with her.
You seemed to have a great time shooting the video. Did you enjoy it?
It was great! It was the first video clip that I’ve ever recorded so it was massive. To have my girls with me was a whole lot of fun — singing and dancing. It was a great experience.
Seeing as the show is less than two weeks away, have you planned the staging for your performance and if so, can you give us a little hint as to what we can expect?
There will definitely be some dancing. The whole performance will be really colourful, powerful and fun. Not everything has been figured out yet but when we get to Bulgaria everything will come together and I’m really looking forward to that. I’ve seen some of the pictures of the stage and it looks absolutely incredible and I can’t wait to perform on it.
Going back to where it all started — how long have you been singing and how did that begin?
I started singing at around age six, and I’ve always had a huge passion for singing — it’s always been my dream. I always used to watch my big sister Bridget perform and she’s always been an inspiration to me so that’s how I was inspired. I enjoy singing so much and I want to do it for the rest of my life. It’s my number one passion and I’m looking forward to my journey with music.
Have you had a chance to listen to any of the other Junior Eurovision songs? Do you have any favourites?
I’ve seen all the entries and they’re all great. I’m so excited to meet them and we’ve all got the same passion with singing and we all get to come together and experience Junior Eurovision with each other. So I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and performing together and having the best time.
Will your trip to Bulgaria be your first trip to Europe?
I have been to Europe. I have been to FYR Macedonia before around six years ago and it was the best experience and I’m really excited to go back to Europe and to Bulgaria.
One final question! Do you have a message for your fans at wiwibloggs?
I just want to say that I’m so grateful and thankful for everyone’s support. It’s been the most amazing journey and I’m so proud and honoured to be representing Australia and I really just want to make everyone proud and my country proud, so let’s go Australia!
Why gonto Macedonia and not France or Portugal eg?
yall hating macedonia is an amazing country.
Hey guys. Bella is of Macedonian descent. When she competed on The Voice Kids of Australia she went by the name of Bella Yoteski. I’m lead to believe that Bella Paige is just her stage name. 🙂
Of course, whenever anyone from Australia, or the states, or anywhere decides to visit Europe, Macedonia is always top of the list.
UK, France, Italy and Spain are somewhere below.
Her bio says she has Macedonian roots. She once had a different surname but I think it got changed when her family immigrated.
Maybe she has relatives there…maybe she’s of Macedonian ancestry. It’s not like Europe is two steps away like Fiji or Bali…
*Australia’s jury members for JESC have been revealed by SBS:
Presenter Richard Wilkins, founding Red Wiggle Murray Cook, beloved Playschool alumnus Monica Trapaga, children’s entertainer Ben Thatcher, singing coach and choir conductor Natasha Cupitt, and1 5-year-old musician and singer Mara Van Duyl who represents Australia on the International Kids Jury.
the only European country she’s been to is Macedonia?
not Britain, France, Spain, Italy—Macedonia? what’s the connection there?