Join us in Malta for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 as Erika, representing Ukraine, shares her journey, her song, and the emotions behind her participation in this year’s competition. From her excitement about taking the Junior Eurovision stage to meeting fellow young artists from across Europe, Erika brings the passion, talent, and spirit that make her one of the performers to watch.
In this exclusive interview, Erika opens up about the inspiration behind her entry, her musical journey, and what it means to represent Ukraine on such an international stage. Discover her expectations for Junior Eurovision 2026, the emotions she hopes to convey through her performance, and what this unforgettable experience means to her.
From the heart of Malta, where Europe’s brightest young musical talents come together for the big event, we meet one of this year’s promising voices: Erika, representing Ukraine at Junior Eurovision 2026.
Hi Erika, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations for winning “Natsvidbir na Dytiache Yevrobachennia – 2026” and getting to represent your country in Malta at JESC 2026 with “Not a Lullaby”!
For readers discovering you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself beyond music? What is something about you that people might not expect? Has JESC always been your dream?
I am a 12-year-old singer from Bila Tserkva, Kyiv region. I have been taking vocal lessons since the age of six.
I absolutely love performing on stage. For me, this is when a fantastic exchange of energy happens between the artist and the audience. These emotions are unforgettable to me. I have taken part in various concerts and performances since I was very young. I participate in national and international competitions and have already won many prizes.
Alongside singing, I also study acting. I have already played Maleficent, Cruella, Mary Poppins and Moana. In the future, I would like to become a musical theatre performer, combining singing and acting.
I am also a huge Minions fan. I am inspired by their sincerity, while their constant mischief brings a little childlike joy into my life. I’d never even thought about taking part in such big projects as Junior Eurovision before. But at one of the competitions, Oksana Skibinska was on the judging team, and after my performance she suggested I try applying for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest – and here I am.
What is the story behind your Junior Eurovision song “Not a Lullaby”, and which lyric or moment in it means the most to you personally or enjoy the most about the performance?
NOT A LULLABY is a powerful manifesto of courage and self-belief. It has a unique blend of musical theatre and K-pop banger sounds. The song says that life is often neither a dream nor a fairy tale. If you want to make your dreams come true, it is important to take action, not be afraid and believe in your own power. It is a musical reminder that each of us is special and we are meant to shine.
The first is ‘I had a dream where people were free and happy’.
For me, these words are about a dream in which every person is free and happy. I think of Ukrainian families, of people waiting for their loved ones to return. I want to believe that one day they will all be able to hug their loved ones again, and that every Ukrainian family will be together. For me, this isn’t just a line from a song, but a dream of a peaceful future in which people no longer fear for those they love.
The second is: “В собі не сумнівайся, покажи, хто ти, ми створені сяяти” (‘Don’t doubt yourself, show who you are; we are made to shine’).
I dedicate this line to everyone who finds themselves through creativity, discovers their own talents and isn’t afraid to follow their dreams. I want to remind everyone that you shouldn’t give up just because someone doesn’t believe in you. Each of us has something special to share with the world. And I believe that it is precisely these people—who aren’t afraid to dream and work towards their goals—who will shape Ukraine’s future.
When you first heard that you would represent Ukraine, what was your immediate reaction – and who was the first person you wanted to tell? Tell us how was your experience at “Natsvidbir na Dytiache Yevrobachennia – 2026”!
I was totally shocked. I was very pleased, but there is a huge amount of work behind it. The whole team and I personally worked hard every day, so that everything could work out. Natsvidbir was interesting, even though we were tired after rehearsals, but it was cool.
Is there a small detail in your song or performance that viewers might miss on their first watch, but that you would love them to notice? What is the meaning behind?
Yes, there is a small detail at the end of the song. While I am singing the row “where people were free and happy” my dance crew hugs me. This is a sign for me — people, don’t be afraid to live! No matter how hard it can be, sooner or later you will meet such people who will make you happy.
Your song reminds of K-pop, which is very trendy and popular now, and is one of the first times we are hearing this style at JESC. Are you a k-pop fan? Who are your favorite singers and did they inspire you for the whole performance?
Actually K-pop is a really cool and rhythmic style. I know a lot of songs and I extremely like them, though I rarely listen to this type of music. Joe Kiri, Billie Eilish, and from Ukraine, Skryabin and Okean Elzy are my favourite artists, their music is really close to me.
What is one thing from Ukrainian culture, music or the country that you would love young Eurovision fans around Europe to discover? Is there anything related to Ukraine that you will bring to the stage in Malta? Can you give us some hints on how your performance in Malta will look like?
I would like to show that here, in Ukraine, we do high quality, modern and stylish music. There won’t be something purely Ukrainian in the performance or on the screens. We are leaning into a European style. If you want a small hint about the stage itself, there will be a lot of light, cool picture and a lot of movement.
Lesya Podolyanko and Illia Osyadlyi produced my performance in the final of the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
This is the story of a girl who longs for a friend: someone to share adventures with, discover new worlds alongside, and face the unknown together. Someone who will comfort her when she is afraid and stand by her when she needs it most.
As children, many of us imagined a friend like that. They might have looked unlike anyone else, yet understood us without a word. For our heroine, that imagined friendship becomes real. One day, her bedroom comes to life, and extraordinary new friends appear. Together, they enter a world where everyday objects become the beginning of a great adventure. This is a story about childhood imagination and the joy of knowing you are not alone.
Imagine you could send a voice message to yourself five minutes before stepping onto the Junior Eurovision stage. What would you say?
I’d record this for myself: “Erikosik, don’t be scared and don’t worry! We’ve already done everything we can anyway. We’re absolutely brilliant, so just go out there and have a wonderful time!”
After the contest is over, what would make you look back on this experience and think: “That was my favourite moment”? Would you like to take part in adult Eurovision one day?
I really enjoyed the first day of the launch, because we all got to know each other and became friends. It was truly unforgettable. And next, I’d really love to take part in both the adult Eurovision and “Star Academy. I’d love to appear on all shows like that, because they’re absolutely brilliant.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to sharing your story with ESCplus readers!