New details regarding Antigoni’s Eurovision 2026 staging bears a striking resemblance to Eleni Foureira’s successful 2018 performance. Is Cyprus trying a proven formula to conquer the stage in Vienna?
The Cypriot delegation for Eurovision 2026 is working tirelessly ahead of Antigoni’s performance of the song “JALLA” in Vienna. However, Antigoni is doing more than just stepping into the formidable stilettos of Eleni Foureira, who secured second place at Eurovision 2018 with “Fuego” – she appears to be following the same blueprint. This includes the same director, an identical stage formation, and even a recent joint performance between the two stars.
Four Dancers and One Iconic Director
It was revealed yesterday (Monday) that four dancers will accompany Antigoni on the Eurovision stage in Vienna – the same number of dancers that backed Foureira as the Cypriot representative exactly eight years ago. The dancers are Anna Chatzikyriakou, Konstantina Spyrou, Natalia Michael, and Sophia Papakonstantinou. These four professionals possess extensive stage experience, having worked on music videos for various artists, with some also holding experience as choreographers.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Sacha Jean-Baptiste Returns to the Cypriot Helm
Furthermore, it was previously announced that the acclaimed Swedish director Sacha Jean-Baptiste will be responsible for staging Antigoni’s performance. Jean-Baptiste’s impressive portfolio includes Foureira’s iconic performance, as well as Loreen’s “Tattoo” (the winner of Eurovision 2023), Destiny’s “Je me casse” (Malta 2021), Luca Hänni’s “She Got Me” (Switzerland 2019), and many other notable entries.
As if the technical similarities weren’t enough, it appears Antigoni and Foureira share a heartwarming friendship. Last weekend, they even performed Antigoni’s entry together! On Sunday, Antigoni posted to Instagram, stating: “Singing JALLA with the reigning Queen of Cyprus Eurovision 👑 Foureira, you are amazing ❤️🔥 thank you for this moment.” This occurred after Foureira invited Antigoni to join her on stage during her show to perform the track together.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Ultimately, Cyprus is choosing to build upon a proven foundation rather than reinventing the wheel. By reuniting the creative elements that once brought the island its greatest success, the delegation is making a strategic move to ensure Antigoni makes a powerful impact in Vienna. It remains to be seen how the vibrant energy of “JALLA” will blend with this iconic staging style to create a fresh, modern identity for Cyprus. While the parallels to 2018 are clear, the genuine bond between the two artists suggests that this year’s entry is a celebration of the unique Cypriot pop spirit.
Antigoni – Who Are You?
Antigoni Buxton, a British-Cypriot artist, originally from Cyprus, has often voiced her wish to represent her home country at Eurovision.
She began writing songs as a teenager and studied at London’s BRIT School, which has produced artists such as Adele and Amy Winehouse. In her early twenties, she signed with Island Records and began developing her unique sound – a mix of pop and R&B infused with Mediterranean influences and Greek instruments.
Her music often features bilingual lyrics in Greek and English, reflecting her dual British and Cypriot identity.
Antigoni became widely recognized after participating in the eighth season of the British reality show Love Island in 2022, which boosted her visibility across both the UK and Cyprus. Despite her television fame, she continues to focus primarily on her musical career.
Cyprus in Eurovision 2026
“JALLA” is the title of the song to be performed by Antigoni, which will represent Cyprus in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The song was written and composed by Antigoni Buxton, Connor Mullally-Knight, Trey Qua, Claydee Lupa and Paris Kalpos. This is the first Eurovision entry by all songwriters.
The song’s title translates to “More,” and Antigoni uses it as a declaration of abundance and energy, aiming to bring an authentic Cypriot essence to the international center stage. For her, the song is a precise fusion of modern pop and Mediterranean roots, designed to showcase Cyprus’s uniqueness, bursting joy, and cultural pride to the world.
Currently, Cyprus ranks 11th in the Eurovision betting charts.
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Tal Dahan – Journalist, radio broadcaster, and Eurovision content creator.
Tal Dahan is an Israeli journalist and editor specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest, working with the EuroMix editorial team for four years. Since 2022, she has provided regular on-site coverage of Eurovision from the host city, and from 2023 has also reported directly from the press room—offering the Israeli audience live updates, exclusive interviews, and in-depth commentary.
Tal is a member of the Eurovision tribute and parody band “EuroFalsh,” a radio broadcaster, and a student of political science and communications.
She is considered one of Israel’s leading young Eurovision experts. In addition to covering the main contest, Tal has reported from Eurovision pre-parties and national selection events across Europe (in Thessaloniki, Stockholm, Madrid, and more), been interviewed by major media outlets in Israel and internationally, and presented Eurovision-themed podcasts and radio shows.
