This morning the United Kingdom revealed their six participants in “Eurovision: You Decide” and this evening we bring you the first interview with one of those hopefuls Bianca. We talk to her about keeping her participation a secret, the pressure of recording a song with Leona Lewis’ vocals on it already and what it would mean to take to the stage in Stockholm
Thank you so much for talking us Bianca, now that the news it out you are competing in the UK national final how does it feel?
Amazing. I’ve obviously not been allowed to talk about it to anybody, and a lot of my friends are Eurovision fans, so it feels great for everyone to now know that I’m competing and for everyone to finally hear the song.
Going back to your childhood what was it that drew you towards singing and who were your idols growing up?
I’ve always enjoyed singing, but didn’t actually take it seriously and have proper lessons until I was about 15. I grew up listening to and loving a lot of 80’s music – I love all those powerhouse vocals and melodies. But I think it was those proper divas with incredible vocals like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey that really inspired me to want to become a singer.
Your break through into the music scene came a few years back as part of the group Parade with the song “Louder”, getting a top.10 single on your first release must have been a great moment?
It was so incredible. I still can’t really believe it happened. Obviously we always loved the song, so to see everybody else loved it too and watching it climb up the charts was just the best feeling ever. Something I’ll never forget.
At what point last year did you make the decision, “I want to submit a song for Eurovision” and what was the motivation behind it?
It all came about by accident really. I had been working with Biff and Ash who are two of the writers of the song on something else so I’d worked with them already. Shine A Little Light was already a song that was being considered for a Eurovision entry, but there was nobody to sing it. So I put a vocal down on it that everyone ended up liking and that was that. I was obviously hugely excited because I am a massive Eurovision fan and never dreamed that one day I might be considered to be the UK entry.
Your song for the contest is “Shine A Little Light”, what is the song all about and what does it mean to you to perform?
The song is about however bad things get, or however low you feel, there is always that someone or something that will be able to lift your spirits and make you smile. I’m quite a positive person, so I really connected with the song because I love the positive message and think lyrically it’s the sort of song everyone can relate to.
Involved in the writing of your song were Ash Howes, Cass Lowe, Richard Standard and the X-Factor Winner Leona Lewis, what is it like to sing a song produced by such big names in the music industry?
Slightly terrifying! Haha. I put so much pressure on myself when I vocalled it because Leona was singing on it originally and she’s so amazing. I just wanted to do the song justice in the same way she did. As I mentioned, I’ve worked with Biff and Ash before, so I know them quite well and they are both so lovely, but there is always personal pressure to perform well in front of such amazing writers and producers.
On Friday night when you step out onto the stage in Kentish Town, how do you think you feel?
I think I’ll feel excited. I don’t normally suffer from nerves too badly, so I’m hoping Friday isn’t going to be an exception. I just want to enjoy every second of it and breathe it all in because it’s going to be the most amazing experience.
What would it mean to you to represent the United Kingdom this May in Stockholm?
Everything. Literally everything! As I said before, I am such a huge Eurovision fan (I always end up getting blocked off Twitter on the night of Eurovision for tweeting too much ?) and so to be able to represent the UK would be an absolute dream.
Finally do you have a message for your fans and the readers of Eurovoix.com?
Thanks so so much to all my fans, old and new, for all your support. I really hope you guys like the song as much as I do. If you do like my performance on Friday and think it should be the UK entry, remember to vote during the show – It would mean the world. Xx
We wish Bianca the best of luck this Friday night in London, you can take a listen to her song below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-FsIesCAwU
I LOVE HER! all the best! 🙂