Who is ESSYLA? Get to Know Belgium’s Eurovision 2026 entry

The Eurovision Song Contest is heading toward its 70th edition, which will take place in Vienna (Austria) on May 12, 14, and 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle.

On this occasion, Belgium’s participation hung by a thread due to calls for the country to withdraw because of Israel’s presence in the European contest, including from unions of the Belgian public broadcasters VRT and RTBF. However, despite the critical voices, the French-speaking Belgian broadcaster RTBF, responsible for Belgium’s participation in 2026, confirmed its participation, once again opting—as is customary—for an internal selection of its representative.

On February 19, ESSYLA was announced as Belgium’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the entry “Dancing On The Ice.” This came after months of many rumors, in which Loïc Nottet was even mentioned as the representative, something that the public broadcaster itself denied.

How did she make it to Eurovision? What experience does she have in the music world? How is she preparing her entry with which she will compete in Vienna 2026?

In this edition, we take a look at ESSYLA’s musical career, the context of her candidacy, and her song. Belgium’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will try to take her country back to the grand final with “Dancing On The Ice,” in what will be Belgium’s 68th participation in the European contest.

This is ESSYLA, a pop artist with interesting musical influences

Alice Van Eesbeeck, known artistically as ESSYLA, was born on 30 March 1996 in Perwez, in the province of Walloon Brabant (Belgium). A singer and songwriter, she has been building a promising career in professional music over recent years, although her relationship with this art began at a very young age, growing up surrounded by instruments and progressively developing her artistic identity.

Raised in a culturally diverse environment, she received Walloon influences from her mother and Flemish influences from her father. This blend deeply shaped her style, where genres such as French chanson, jazz, folk, rock, and American funk coexist. Although she grew up listening to music in French, she has always sung in English, inspired by great international voices. Critics highlight her eccentric personality and her fresh, colourful and eclectic approach.

She trained at the Higher Royal Institute of Music and Pedagogy (IMEP) in Namur and formed her own band at an early age. She adopted the stage name ESSYLA after her participation in The Voice Belgique, where she reached the final in 2020 as part of Typh Barrow’s team. Her appearance gave her great visibility and allowed her to collaborate with artists such as Typh Barrow and rapper Ben’do. In 2019, she participated in Eurovision Choir as part of the Almakalia choir representing Belgium.

In 2023 she officially debuted as ESSYLA with the single “Let You Go” and released her first EP, I’ll Be Okay. Her work combines modern pop with funk influences and a clear message of female empowerment. In 2025, she released “Tip Toe”, her latest single before her Eurovision journey.

In 2026 she will take a decisive step in her career by representing Belgium at Eurovision 2026 with “Dancing On The Ice”, an electropop song that conveys hope, determination, and the importance of moving forward despite difficulties. The song was created during a songwriting workshop organised by Sabam.

This is “Dancing On The Ice” ESSYLA’s entry to represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026

ESSYLA represents Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with “Dancing On The Ice.” It is an electropop track with a sophisticated oriental touch, written by ESSYLA herself together with Barbara Petitjean, Emil Stengele, and Nicolas d’Avell.

The song emerged during a songwriting workshop organized by Sabam. With her entry, she aims to convey a message of hope, aspiring to be “an anthem of youth determination.” “Even when your knees fail you, get up when you fall and keep believing,” ESSYLA herself states.

Lyrics

Belgium at Eurovision: A Quick History

Belgium is one of the founding countries of Eurovision since 1956 and has maintained almost continuous participation since then, alternating between the broadcasters RTBF and VRT for the selection of its representatives.

Its only victory came in 1986 with Sandra Kim and “J’aime La Vie”, when the singer was only 13 years old. In addition, it has achieved two second places and several Top ten results, although it also has a number of early eliminations. In 2024 it was represented by Mustii with “Before The Party’s Over”, failing to qualify for the final.

In 2025 Red Sebastian competed with “Strobe Lights” and also did not reach the final, scoring only 23 points and finishing 14th.