Essyla to Represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026 with “Dancing on the Ice”
Belgium’s representative for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna this May has been revealed: Essyla will perform “Dancing on the Ice.” The announcement, made on Thursday, February 19, 2026, by Belgian broadcaster RTBF, marks a significant moment for the rising artist.
Essyla, who was born Alice Van Eesbeeck and hails from Perwez in Walloon Brabant, first gained public recognition in Belgium as a finalist on the ninth season of The Voice Belgique in 2021. She has been building momentum ever since, honing her skills at the IMEP music school in Namur.
“I don’t fully realize,” Essyla shared, reacting to her selection. “A part of me is still elsewhere, as if I were hiding the fact that I am the one who represents Belgium. Of course, there is stress: I want to give everything so that my country is proud and above all not to disappoint it. I can’t wait to go to Austria… It’s fast approaching!”
She described the opportunity as “a completely crazy adventure, a dream that I’ve been chasing since I was little. And today, I can say it without hesitation: I have never been so happy.”
“Dancing on the Ice” was co-written by Essyla alongside Nicolas d’Avell, Emil Stengele, and Barbara Petitjean. RTBF opted for an internal selection process this year, rather than a televised national final, as Belgium alternates participation between its two public broadcasters.
According to eurovision.com, the song is intended to convey a message of hope, serving as an anthem for youth, optimism, and resilience. The lyrics celebrate a generation determined to forge its own path, “despite its fragility and despite everything that can crack or break in our world today.”
Essyla’s musical influences are diverse, ranging from French chansons to jazz, folk, rock, and funk, particularly inspired by classic American singers and sounds. Her earlier work includes the singles “Let You Go” and “Not My Kind of Dude,” followed by her debut EP, I’ll Be Okay. Her lyrics often explore themes of female empowerment and the concerns of her generation.
The Eurovision Song Contest continues to be a major platform for launching international music careers, and Essyla’s participation is poised to elevate her profile on the global stage. brusselstimes.com notes that Belgium is hoping to achieve its first win since Sandra Kim’s victory in 1986.
