After months of preparation, the four finalist of Junior Songfestival performed in Ahoy Rotterdam to determine who will represent The Netherlands at Junior Eurovision 2023 in Nice, France.
At the end of the show, presenter Matheu Hinzen (JESC 2019) and Stefania (JESC 2016 & ESC 2021 for Greece) announced that Sep and Jasmijn are the winners of Junior Songfestival 2023. With the song “Holding On to You” they convinced the professional jury, children’s jury and the viewers at home.
About Junior Songfestival
The final took place today in the RTM Stage in Ahoy Rotterdam. In the same arena, the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 and even the 2007 Junior Eurovision Song Contest were held. The four acts competing this night for a ticket to represent The Netherlands are:
- Joy! (Aimée, Sana & Gina) – “Better Together”
- Sep & Jasmijn – “Holding On to You”
- Flare (Jikke, Hannah & Robine) – “Side by Side”
- Duron – “Magic”
The professional jury, consisting of Soy Kroon, Sosha Duysker and MEAU, had the difficult task of judging the finalists. Thankfully they got help from the kids jury (existed out last year’s winner Luna and runner-up Mixed Up) and the viewers at home. In the end, this was the result of show:
- Sep and Jasmijn – “Holding On to You” – 36 points
- Joy! – “Better Together” – 29 points
- Flare – “Side by Side” – 26 points
- Duron – “Magic” – 26 points
About Sep and Jasmijn
Sep (aged 13) and Jasmijn (aged 14) will be the first duo to represent the Netherlands at Junior Eurovision since 2018. Sep is in his second year of Secondary school and has dreams of being an actor in a movie or TV series, a presentor, or full-time singer. Hes said that his favorite song to sing in the shower is “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo!
Jasmijn is in her third year of Secondary school and has two sisters. She loves shopping, doing make-up, and hanging out with her friends. In her free time she is a dancer of multiple genres, and also competes on a hip-hop competition dance team.
The Netherlands in Junior Eurovision
The Netherlands have participated in every Junior Eurovision since the very first one in 2003. Last year, The Netherlands was represented by Luna and her song “La Festa” and opened the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 with this banger. She finished 7th in Yerevan with 128 points.
Do #YOU think The Netherlands has a chance to win Junior Eurovision? Share your thoughts with us on our forum HERE or join the discussion below in the comments and on social media!
