Portugal won second place on Sunday in the final of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held in Madrid, with the song Hopeperformed by the Portuguese-Venezuelan singer Victoria Nicolerevealed the European Broadcasting Union. According to the organization, this was Portugal’s best ever participation in Junior Eurovision, with Victoria Nicole receiving 213 points.
Georgia won the final, with singer Andria Putkaradze and the song For my Momthat’s a total of 239 points. The Portuguese song got 117 points from the public votes, the highest score in this edition, but the jury did not give more than 96. The Georgian song got the first place in the jury vote with 180 points, but was only sixth in the public vote. (59 points). The podium was closed by Ukraine, with the song Hear Me Now by Artem Kotenko.
According to the official page of the Junior Eurovision Festival, Victoria Nicole was born in Venezuela, in the city of Ocumare del Tuy, near Caracas, but she left the country at the age of eight, in 2018. Before that, she had already arrived himself to spend a holiday in Portugal with his uncles and cousins, with whom he memorized Abba lyrics for small home shows. According to RTP, the singer is “known for her extroverted and affectionate personality”: “She likes to draw and cook”, activities that show “different ways of unleashing her creative spirit”.
Victora Nicole is 14 years old, lives in Ílhavo and represented Portugal in the Junior Eurovision after winning this year’s TV talent show The Voice Kids Portugal. He has been playing the piano since he was five years old and also ukulelebut singing is his great “passion”. According to this contest page, he really enjoys “writing songs”, it feels “free”. Her dream is to become a professional singer — she has already gone further.
The song that led to the competition was composed together with Nininho Vaz Maia (her mentor from the Portuguese competition) and Bárbara Tinoco, two of the judges on the RTP talent show, where Victoria Nicole stood out, becoming the chair of the four judges , while performing Voilà — the song by Barbara Pravi for which França also won second place in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, won by the Italians at the time Maneskin with T up and well.
In a video published on social media, the teenager says she is “very happy” with the result and thanked everyone who voted for Portugal. Victoria Nicole also left a message for the Georgian winners: “Honestly, Georgia’s victory was well deserved and has a very beautiful message”, she considered. Regarding the lyrics of the song itself, the artist has already considered that its message is “beautiful for people” and that it conveys “personal feelings”.
The final of the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Festival took place in Madrid and there were contestants from 17 countries.
How does Junior Eurovision influence the careers of young artists like Victoria Nicole?
Interview: Time.news Editor Meets Junior Eurovision Expert
Editor: Welcome to this edition of Time.news! Today, we have an exciting conversation with music expert and Junior Eurovision enthusiast, Isabel Santos. We’ll be discussing Portugal’s incredible achievement at the recent Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Madrid, where Victoria Nicole secured a historic second place. Welcome, Isabel!
Isabel: Thank you for having me! I’m thrilled to discuss such a fantastic event. Portugal’s performance truly deserves the spotlight!
Editor: Absolutely! This year, Portugal’s entry, ”Hope,” performed by the talented Victoria Nicole, received 213 points, marking the country’s best-ever result in Junior Eurovision history. What made her performance stand out?
Isabel: Victoria’s immense vocal talent and stage presence were crucial. She connected beautifully with the audience, which is evident in the impressive 117 points she garnered from public votes—the highest of this edition! Her relatable lyrics and upbeat composition resonated widely, capturing both the hearts of the public and the jury’s attention.
Editor: It’s interesting that while she excelled with public voting, the jury scored her slightly lower. How do you interpret this discrepancy?
Isabel: It’s common in competitions like these. The jury tends to focus on technical proficiency and originality, while the public often votes based on emotional resonance and entertainment value. In Victoria’s case, her charisma shone for the audience more than the jury. The jury preferred Georgia’s “For My Mom,” which was a poignant tribute; while it’s beautiful, it may not have had the same widespread appeal as “Hope.”
Editor: And can you tell us a bit about Victoria Nicole’s background? Her story is quite inspiring.
Isabel: Definitely! Victoria’s roots trace back to Venezuela, where she was born. Her journey to Portugal at age eight adds depth to her artistry. She has a natural connection to her audience, drawing from her own experiences and cultural background. Engaging with her family’s traditions and learning songs from iconic bands like ABBA during childhood certainly played a part in shaping her musical path.
Editor: She’s also mentioned to have innovative passions outside of music, like drawing and cooking, showing a diverse creative spirit.
Isabel: That’s right! Those hobbies reflect her multifaceted personality, which can appeal to many young fans. It also highlights the importance of creativity in various forms. Victoria’s artistry is not only bound to her singing but also tied to her interests, making her a relatable figure for youth.
Editor: Following this remarkable achievement, what do you think the future holds for Victoria Nicole?
Isabel: I foresee a bright future! Given her age, talent, and the support from fans and the music industry, she has the potential to build a successful career. Platforms like Junior Eurovision can act as launchpads for young artists. If Victoria continues to hone her craft and write music that resonates, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her among the rising stars of the pop world soon.
Editor: It’s definitely an exciting time for her and for Portuguese music on the global stage! Thank you, Isabel, for sharing your insights on Victoria’s journey and Junior Eurovision.
Isabel: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing it with you. Let’s hope Victoria Nicole inspires more young artists to pursue their dreams!
Editor: And there you have it, folks, an illuminating talk that wraps up our coverage of Portugal’s momentous achievement at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Stay tuned for more insights on global events and cultural highlights.