Ahead of her Eurovision 2026 performance in Vienna, Antigoni from Cyprus unveils an emotional and surprising cover of a beloved Eurovision classic.
Exactly 35 days from now, Antigoni will step onto the stage of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna to represent Cyprus in the second semi-final with her song “Jalla” (in English: “More”), hoping to qualify for the grand final on May 16. Now, amid the peak of her preparations, Antigoni found time within the busy schedule that comes with the competition to record an emotional cover of the song “My Number One“, the track that brought Helena Paparizou victory for Greece in Eurovision 2005 and took the contest to Athens the following year.
Watch the emotional music video:
Early Dreams and Inspiration
In January, exactly one month before revealing her Eurovision entry, Antigoni sat down for an interview with Andreas Anastasiou, head of the Cypriot delegation to Eurovision 2026. She opened up about her feelings leading up to the competition and how she envisions her stage performance.
During the conversation, the singer mentioned the 2005 Greek entry and Helena Paparizou, who performed it. According to Antigoni, watching Paparizou’s victory in the Eurovision final marked one of her earliest encounters with the contest and made her realize she wanted to be on that stage herself one day.
Following a Proven Formula
Earlier this week, new details emerged about Antigoni’s planned stage performance in May, raising immediate comparisons to Eleni Foureira’s electrifying appearance in Eurovision 2018, where she finished second with her hit “Fuego” right behind Netta.
It seems that Cyprus may be drawing inspiration from its past success, embracing a tried‑and‑true formula to secure Antigoni’s place among the top finalists this May.
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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Ido Na’aman is a journalist, content creator, and commentator specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. His extensive knowledge and in-depth familiarity with the Eurovision world are reflected in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date content.
