It’s that time of year where we are desperate for our next Eurovision fix. And what better way to cope with those winter blues than to ponder which artists would be fantastic picks for their countries at Eurovision? Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing our top wishlist pick for some countries at the Eurovision Song Contest.
The greatest thing about our wishlist is, there’s no rules. No “they would never do Eurovision!”. No “but that wouldn’t be possible because…”. Not even a “but that country hasn’t participated in x amount of years”.
Welcome to the Wiwi Wishlist, where we fantasise about the perfect contest’s line-up.
Wiwi Wishlist: Vale LP and Lil Jolie for San Marino
One thing’s for sure, San Marino really knows how to surprise the Eurovision audience and to make everyone talk about their song. Beyond any chart placements, San Marino always brings the vibe. Whether it’s one of the holy Sanmarinese trinity (Valentina Monetta, Serhat, and Senhit), something original, something the audience knows from Sanremo (like Gabry Ponte or Achille Lauro), or even a surprise wildcard (remember Flo Rida?), they always know how to make a lasting impression. And the Italian duo formed from Vale LP and Lil Jolie might be exactly what they need.
Vale LP is a singer, rapper, and songwriter from Naples. Her musical journey began on SoundCloud, where she started posting her songs in 2018. Two years later, in 2020, she officially debuted with her first single, “Carini,” and her first EP Fine fra’ me. In 2021, she took part in X Factor Italy, and after she left the competition, she continued with her music releases. In 2023, she participated for the first time in Sanremo Giovani, a branch of Festival di Sanremo dedicated to young and newcomers artists, separate from the main contest that is currently used to select Italy’s Eurovision representative. So far, Vale LP has released two EPs and one full solo album, and she is now signed under Sugar Music, the label that also hosts former Eurovision participants Raphael Gualazzi and Lucio Corsi.
Lil Jolie is another rising Italian talent, singer and songwriter. Like Vale LP, she began by uploading her songs on SoundCloud, after learning to play guitar from her grandfather in her early childhood. She released her first single in 2019, “Farsi male.” For her later singles, she collaborated with labels such as Sugar Music and Warner Music Italia. Her first EP, Bambina, arrived in 2022, and in 2023 she joined the talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi. In 2024, following the show, she signed with BMG Rights Management and released her second EP, La vita non uccide.
This year, Vale LP and Lil Jolie joined forces for a studio album together, Le ragazze della valle. With this project, they returned to Sanremo Giovani, where they qualified in the “newcomers” category with the song “Dimmi tu quando sei pronto per fare l’amore,” and while promoting the song they raised their voices speaks up against the abuse of women. The album blends alt-pop, pop-rap, indie, and R&B, bringing together both of their unique sounds, with lyrics that are bold, honest, and powerful.
Discography must-listens: “Le ragazze della valle” (2025), “Dimmi tu quando sei pronto per fare l’amore” (2025), “GOOGLEAMORE” (2025)
San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
In 2025, San Marino was represented by Gabry Ponte with “Tutta L’Italia.” Gabry is a famous DJ known for numerous collaborations and for being part of the iconic music group Eiffel 65, who released the worldwide hit “Blue (Da Ba Dee).” The song that won San Marino’s national selection was already familiar to audiences thanks to the Festival di Sanremo, where “Tutta L’Italia” had been used as the festival’s jingle earlier that year.
Gabry’s participation brought San Marino back to the Eurovision final after three consecutive years of non-qualification. As a DJ, Gabry was accompanied by three backing vocalists who performed the vocals live, an aspect that sparked mixed reactions among Eurovision fans. Yet, in the end, the song’s catchy melody won the crowd over. It was the kind of track that made everyone , regardless of nationality, feel a little Italian, uniting the audience in a joyful, party-like atmosphere. Even without a win, Gabry’s performance remains one of those Eurovision moments fans remember with a smile.
One day, Vale LP and Lil Jolie might take the Big Artists stage at Festival di Sanremo, but until then, why not represent San Marino at Eurovision? Especially now, when Eurovision fans are so enthusiastic about alternative pop and dance music, the timing couldn’t be better. The girls have it all: talent, songwriting skills, and undeniable charisma. All ingredients to become well-known at an international level. And when it comes to live performances, they deliver! Their stage chemistry is fantastic. They could bring the vibe of Teya and Salena, who represented Austria in 2023.
So Vale LP and Lil Jolie are our dream pick for San Marino, but who would yours be? Who would you love to see take to the stage in Vienna in May 2026? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
