Another edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest has concluded in Nice, France – showcasing how ordinary kids can be heroes.
The show commenced at 16:00 CET from the Palais Nikaïa, and was host by Laury Thilleman (Actress, presenter and Miss France 2011), Olivier Minne (co-host for JESC 2021), and Ophenya (French influencer).
This year’s edition featured 16 competing countries – one of which being debutant Estonia. The draw for the running order was held at the Opening Ceremony, where Spain was selected to open the show and the Netherlands was drawn to close. France was also selected to perform in 12th position.
The remaining order was selected by the producers. The show run was as follows:
- 🇪🇸 – Spain: Sandra Valero – “Loviu“
- 🇲🇹 – Malta: Yulan – “Stronger“
- 🇺🇦 – Ukraine: Anastasia Dymyd – “Kvitka“
- 🇮🇪 – Ireland: Jessica McKean – “Aisling“
- 🇬🇧 – United Kingdom: Stand Uniqu3 – “Back To Life“
- 🇲🇰 – North Macedonia: Tamara Grujeska – “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj“
- 🇪🇪 – Estonia: Arhanna – “Hoiame Kokku“
- 🇦🇲 – Armenia: Yan Girls – “Do It My Way“
- 🇵🇱 – Poland: Maja Krzyżewska – “I Just Need a Friend“
- 🇬🇪 – Georgia: Anastasia & Ranina – “Over The Sky“
- 🇵🇹 – Portugal: Júlia Machado – “Where I Belong“
- 🇫🇷 – France: Zoé Clauzure – “Cœur“
- 🇦🇱 – Albania: Viola Gjyzeli – “Bota Ime“
- 🇮🇹 – Italy: Melissa & Ranya – “Un Mondo Giusto“
- 🇩🇪 – Germany: Fia – “Ohne Worte“
- 🇳🇱 – Netherlands: Sep & Jasmijn – “Holding On to You“
After interval performances from last year’s winner Lissandro, a cover of “We Are the World” by former French JESC artists Angelina, Enzo, Valentina, and Lissandro, and a medley by Amir the announcement of the result began.
The voting results
As the jury votes began to pour in, it was clear that the scoreboard would be volatile, with six unique countries receiving sets of douze points from across Europe. At the end of the jury round France was in first with 136 points, Armenia in second with 116 points, and Spain in third with 115 points.
Next the points from the voting public from around the world were set to come in, working from the bottom of the jury result to the jury’s first place song. After a massively drawn out process, it was revealed that France also won the online jury vote, making Zoé Clauzure the official winner of JESC 2023.
This is France’s third win in the contest in their seven year participation record, and the second time that a country has won back to back in Junior Eurovision. This means that the organization of Junior Eurovision 2024 will stay with the French delegation.
What did #YOU think of tonight’s show? Let us know on social media @ESCUnited, on our discord, or on the forum!