Eliana Gomez Blanco emerged victorious from a tough and talented field of young performers to represent the Mediterranean island nation at Junior Eurovision 2019 in Gliwice, Poland.
In a national final held on July 20, 2019, but with the winner only announced today, Blanco triumphed with her cover of Ornella Vanoni’s “Sto Male,” released in 1973 and written by Serge Lama, Alice Dona, and Giorgio Calabrese. The decision was made by 50% jury vote and 50% online vote.
In second place was Leah Cauchi with the original composition “Illejla,” and in third place was Martina Cutajar and a cover version of MIIA’s “Dynasty.” We wrote earlier on the high caliber of talent entering Malta’s national selection this year, and it is impressive that Blanco was able to trounce such a talented group of young performers.
The jury was comprised of Malta’s Eurovision 2017 representative Claudia Faniello, Malta’s Junior Eurovision 2018 representative Ela Mangion, and radio presenter Deo Grech.
Blanco previously entered the Maltese national selection in 2018, narrowly falling to eventual winner Ela Mangion, whose “Marchin’ On,” coming in a respectable fifth at Junior Eurovision 2018. Though incredibly talented, Blanco could fall victim to the [unjustified and irrelevant] “voice sounds too mature for Junior Eurovision” criticism many shot at Mangion.
But 13-year-old Eliana Gomez Blanco is a fixture in Malta, having won Għanja tal-Poplu Żgħażagħ 2018 with the song “Dwell.” She also has a six year history of music videos on her YouTube channel, so her rivals will have to be aware that they are dealing with a talented trained young singer with an incredible work ethic and years of performing before crowds. In short, regardless of song selection, expect her to be a favorite in Gliwice.
The next step will be for the Maltese delegation to select a song to pair with Blanco. It’s very rare that Malta provides its entrants with a dud.
Malta are historically one of the stronger nations at Junior Eurovision, having won twice: Gaia Cauchi won with “The Start” in 2013, and Destiny Chukunyere blew everyone away with her Kid Aretha ballad “Not My Soul,” winning the 2015 contest. Chukunyere herself has found fame in the United Kingdom as a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, and appeared this year as a backup singer for Michela Pace on her Eurovision 2019 entry “Chameleon.”
Junior Eurovision 2019 will be held in Gliwice, Poland on Sunday, November 24, 2019.
What do #YOU think of Blanco’s chances at Junior Eurovision 2019? Or do #YOU think another one of the talented field deserved the opportunity? Let us know in the comments below, on social media, or in our forum.
