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.
Little by little, the participating countries are immersed in preparations to refine the details of their entries with which they will fight to win the coveted glass microphone.
The Eurovision season has left many striking names, but few generate as much anticipation as Estonia, which has decided to bet on a group with a history both inside and outside the festival, Vanilla Ninja. The female group won the Eesti Laul 2026.
How has their evolution been since their beginnings? What role have they played on the European scene? And how do they face this new opportunity on the Eurovision stage?
In this edition, we take a look at Vanilla Ninja’s musical career, the context of their candidacy, and their song. Estonia’s representatives at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will defend their entry with “Too Epic To Be True,” a proposal with which they return to the international spotlight after more than two decades of career, in what will be Estonia’s 33rd participation in the European contest.
Meet Vanilla Ninja: From Tallinn to the European stage
Vanilla Ninja is one of the most recognizable names in early-2000s European pop-rock. The Estonian band was formed in 2002 in Tallinn, driven by the record label TopTen, with an initial lineup consisting of Lenna Kuurmaa, Maarja Kivi, Piret Järvis, and Katrin Siska.
From their earliest steps, they embraced a very clear mix of pop-rock guitars, polished aesthetics, and catchy melodies, which quickly allowed them to stand out in their country’s music scene. Their first major appearance came with their participation in the Estonian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, a platform that helped introduce the group before the release of their debut album.
From there, their career made a significant leap into the international market, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, where they achieved success with songs such as “Tough Enough” and “When The Indians Cry”. The band evolved both in sound and lineup, with changes in members marking different phases, while always maintaining their pop-rock identity.
In 2005, they reached one of the key moments of their career when they represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest, achieving a strong 8th place with “Cool Vibes”, a result that boosted their popularity across Europe.
After several years of intense activity, international tours, and multiple albums, the group slowed down their pace and its members began developing individual projects. However, far from disappearing, Vanilla Ninja made a strong comeback in 2021 with new music and a tour that reconnected with their fanbase.
Today, the group remains active as a trio formed by Lenna Kuurmaa, Piret Järvis, and Kerli Kivilaan, and in 2026 they returned to the spotlight after winning the Eesti Laul, becoming Estonia’s representatives in Eurovision with “Too Epic To Be True”, proving that their story is still very much alive.
This is “Too Epic To Be True,” Vanilla Ninja’s entry to represent Estonia at Eurovision 2026
Vanilla Ninja returns to the Eurovision Song Contest, on this occasion representing Estonia with the song “Too Epic To Be True.” It is an entry written by the renowned Estonian songwriter Sven Lõhmus, with production by Vallo Kikas under the Moonwalk record label.
“Too Epic To Be True” is a pop rock track with a melancholic touch, in which the female group speaks about the intensity of an unexpected and deep romantic connection. They tell the story of a love so intense that it does not seem real.
Lyrics
English
Too epic to be true
But here I am with you
The spark between us
Wrote the plot for us
Too epic to be true
Maybe this could be heaven
Maybe I’m just a fool
Maybe we’re closer than we think
And I’ve got a clear view
When I said I loved you I meant it
It is not so hard to believe it
Too epic to be true
But here I am with you
The spark between us
Wrote the plot for us
Too epic to be true
Maybe I am so reckless
I don’t play by the rules
Maybe we’re closer than we think
And we’ve got the clear view
When I said I loved you I meant it
It is not so hard to believe it
Too epic to be true
But here I am with you
The spark between us
Wrote the plot for us
Too epic to be true
My life was uncontrolled
Pure rebel rock’n roll
Before you came to me, like that
Too epic, too epic, too epic
Too epic, too epic, too epic
Too epic to be true
But here I am with you
The spark between us
Wrote the plot for us
Too epic to be true
Too epic, too epic, too epic, epic to be true
Too epic, too epic, too epic, epic to be true
The spark between us wrote the plot for us
Too epic to be true
Estonia at Eurovision: A Quick History
Estonia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 and achieved its greatest success in 2001, when Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL won the contest with “Everybody”, giving the country its first and only victory to date. In the following years it alternated between strong results and several semifinal eliminations.
In the 2010s, the 6th place of Ott Lepland in 2012 with “Kuula” stood out. After some irregular years, Estonia returned to reaching the final on several recent occasions. In 2024, 5Miinust and Puuluup finished in 20th place with “(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi”. In 2025, Tommy Cash reached the podium, finishing 3rd with the viral “Espresso Macchiato”, which almost managed to win the televote.