Bella Paige is in it to win it and she certainly went for gold today, starting her performance with a golden shower of sparks cascading down her LED. She continues the theme with a shimmering golden dress with black top, and two backing dancers — also kitted out in black and gold. The “girls” she sings about join her centre stage for the first chorus and appear to perform water aerobics. By the second minute they’re flapping their wings. It sounds strange, but it really works: it keeps the focus on Bella but adds movement and dynamism to help her fill the space. The LED screen includes plenty of exploding supernovas, reminiscent of the flames Conchita had en route to victory back in 2014. Vocally Bella was faultless. She didn’t just hit the high notes: she added texture to the song and remained in total control in every register. It’s not the most kid-friendly performance — no circus act here! — but the song screams “radio hit” and Bella delivers it with ease. Elegant with just the right amount of urban edge, it feels very X Factor season finale, which suggests it could pull in viewers — and votes.
Junior Eurovision 2015: Australia’s first rehearsal
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Photo: EBU (Credit: Elena Volotova/Vladimir Dudakliev)
Australia’s participation was secured at a very late stage. It’s unclear if the EBU cut the Aussies some slack, but I have no problem with that because I don’t believe the other junior competitors had an actual input in the creative process: they may have offered suggestions or came up with a few general ideas, but I find it hard to believe that they were involved at the brainstorming stage. When they are credited as co-writers, it’s more like a gesture of encouragement and recognition of their efforts. In any case, I think Bella sounded a bit hesitant and out… Read more »
I thought, according to the rules, that the song must be at least co-written by a child. This song is listed as having three highly experienced, professional and Grammy-nominated songwriters – with no mention of Bella Paige. So…what’s the deal?
This is a SONG contest, right? Supposedly a JUNIOR version of the main version, right? How odd, and frankly it makes the whole thing rather bizarre.
She’s very talented but I don’t like ‘My girls’. It’s just average pop song and nothing else. 16th place for me (the Netherlands last). JESC is not X Factor.
@Firehunter If Australia wins this year, I’m afraid they won’t be allowed to host the 2016 edition. Instead it would have to be one of the following:
* The Netherlands (hopefully Amsterdam again)
* Russia (possibly Moscow, like the adult version in 2009)
* Belarus (hopefully Minsk again)
* Ukraine (possibly Kyiv, and hopefully at the Palace of Sports like in 2009)
* Armenia (hopefully in Yerevan again, just like 2011)
* Georgia (possibly in Tbilisi)
@Firehunter If Australia wins this year, I’m afraid they won’t be allowed to host the 2016 edition. Instead it would have to be one of the following:
* The Netherlands (hopefully Amsterdam again)
* Russia (possibly Moscow, like the adult version in 2009)
*
This is most tight/dense entry in Junior Eurovision 2015 and this is clear winner. Welcome to Sydney in 2016!?
“faultless” – not too sure about that