Monroe, France’s Eurovision 2026 representative and a top favorite to win, performed her song live for the first time tonight. Watch the first live of “Regarde!”
Today at 20:30 CET, Monroe, France’s representative for Eurovision 2026 to be held in Vienna, Austria, took the stage with her song “Regarde!“, in a premiere performance on a television program within the French national broadcaster France Televisions. Watch the song’s debut performance:
Monroe’s debut took place this evening on the television program “C à vous”, broadcast on the France 5 channel by the French national broadcaster. The show aired starting at 20:00 CET, and the performance was released at 20:30 CET on the YouTube channel of France’s Eurovision outlet, Eurovision France.
In the live rendition, Monroe stands center stage in front of a microphone stand, dressed in a black leather coat and a white midi skirt – a direct homage to the little girl character appearing at the start of the song’s official music video. She opens the performance surrounded by no fewer than 18 dancers, creating a rich and dynamic visual envelope. However, given the Eurovision stage limitation of up to six performers only, the staging is likely to undergo adjustments, though the current show suggests that the dancer element may be retained even in the competitive version in Vienna.
In the background of the stage are positioned two violinists, a pianist, and a choir, adding musical depth and emphasizing the dramatic nature of the piece. After about 50 seconds, Monroe tilts the microphone aside and shifts the stage dynamics, a move that also affects the camera angles and sharpens the sense of progression in the performance.
Vocally, Monroe demonstrates impressive control, delivering the soprano sections with great precision and fidelity to the studio version. Throughout the song, vocal stability and confidence are evident, alongside precise stage presence. The dancers surround her in impeccably timed movement, adding layers of tension, drama, and emotion, while she herself integrates into the choreography through meticulously crafted hand gestures that amplify the connection between the voice, movement, and the song’s artistic message.
Monroe is the youngest representative at Eurovision 2026, at just 17 and a half years old. The song she will perform at Eurovision ranks among the most beloved among contest fans and holds second place in betting tables with 12% win odds. Monroe also leads in the judges’ win probabilities. In recent days, it was revealed that the young singer faces heavy pressure from BDS organizations, anti-Israel groups, who sent her a letter demanding she withdraw from the contest due to Israel’s participation.
Monroe – Who Are You?
Monroe is a 17‑year‑old opera singer, born to a French mother and an American father, who grew up in the Salt Lake City area in Utah, USA. She took her first steps in music as a child in her local church choir. Her major breakthrough with French audiences came only recently, when in January 2025 she won first place in the 11th season of “Prodiges,” the classical music talent show broadcast by the French national broadcaster.
Her musical style is characterised by a distinctive blend of classical music and pop. In November, she released her debut album under the major label Warner Music, featuring classical performances alongside cover versions of timeless pieces such as “L’hymne à l’amour“ by Édith Piaf and “Over the rainbow“. In December, she became a viral online sensation after her performance of the hit “Berghain“ by singer Rosalía, accompanied by a pianist under the glass roof of London’s King’s Cross railway station, captured widespread attention on social media. Despite her young age, Monroe already has impressive stage experience and is currently on a concert tour in churches and cathedrals that will run until October.
France at Eurovision 2026
“Regarde!” (in English: “Look!”) is the title of the song to be performed by Monroe, who will represent France at Eurovision 2026. The singer will present the song for the first time in the second semi-final on May 14th, but as she is representing one of the Big 5 countries, she will automatically qualify for the grand final on May 16th.
The song is a dramatic operatic ballad, which is exactly what we could expect based on our brief familiarity with the singer. It seems to be attempting to emulate last year’s Austrian victory. The track opens with a dramatic violin introduction, with strings that continue to accompany it throughout, and it clearly feels very French in character. The climactic part of the chorus consists solely of operatic vocal lines rather than actual words. The music video begins with a young Monroe pressing a button, then shifts to a building in Paris where Monroe is surrounded by dancers, with everything aiming for a very classical and meticulously crafted aesthetic. The overall atmosphere is very dark.
Currently, France is ranked 2nd in the betting tables ahead of Eurovision 2026.
Eurovision 2026: This will be France’s 67th participation in Eurovision. France joined the competition in 1956 and has won it five times over the years. France’s last victory was in Eurovision 1977 with the song “L’Oiseau et l’Enfant” performed by singer Marie Myriam.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
