The Junior Eurovision Song Contest kicks off its 21st edition in Nice, France, tonight.
The opening ceremony will see a new batch of up-and-coming talent wave their flags as the first official welcome to the contest.
Representing the UK is girl pop ground STAND UNIQU3 who hope to follow in the runaway success of last year's entry, Freya Skye.
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Sonia is Liverpool's biggest contribution to the contest, debuting back in 1983, but Hayla is the new star on the block ready to make history. The 12-year-old singer makes up one-third of STAND UNIQU3 and will sing alongside newly formed friends Maisie and Yazmin in front of an audience of millions.
The dust has just settled on Eurovision 2023 which took over every corner of the city but Hayla told the ECHO she's excited to see a different part of the contest.
She said: "I watched it at home and I remember going to see some bits. We had a look past some of the barriers but I didn't get to see much of it sadly. I didn't get to go to any of the shows but I'm making up for it now".
This year was the first time in decades the UK could really devote itself to the contest with many only realising how big the show can be. Hayla added: "I became a fan this year after I saw Loreen because she's just amazing.
"I've only really discovered the contest and Junior Eurovision this year after auditioning but it's massive. It's so exciting and I'm so excited to be a part of it. It's still very new to me but it's already amazing and I love it so much".
Hayla has been singing all of her life but her first big break came as a standout performer on The Voice Kids. She added: "I started when was a little kid and my mum would play music. I always just started and everyone had to listen. I've been on other TV shows a year ago and that was my first TV appearance and now I'm here doing Junior Eurovision. It's honestly hectic but it's a really good hectic. We've been doing so much but I feel really lucky".
The road to becoming a Eurovision star is a long and arduous one but STAND UNIQU3 heard they got the role as representatives flippantly. Discussing how BBC Radio 1’s Dean McCullough broke the news, Hayla said: "So we were in the studio and did our solo auditions where we sang different songs.
"After that, we auditioned for the second time with the actual song, Back To Life, and then they grouped us together because they said we had a great dynamic and a strong bond. Then Dean literally just popped his head in and said, 'You're representing the UK, have fun'. We were screaming and in tears. It was so funny but yeah, it was kind of mad, we had no idea. And that's how we found out".
The girls were grouped together but instantly connected even away from the music and limelight. She added: "Since we got put together we clicked instantly and you can't throw that away. I'm so thankful the group has been formed. We kind of knew each other beforehand through the audition process because of the show. It's such a genuine bond and we're all friends and we would be anyway even if we didn't get this chance together".
Hayla already has family ties to the contest as her grandfather Neil Danns performed with the 1987 UK entry sung by Rikki Peebles - called Only The Light.
Hayla is hoping to do even better than they did 36 years ago when they finished in 13th place. Neil told his granddaughter that he loved every minute of performing on the stage and she should do the same.
He said: “My advice to you is to remember the whole experience that’s the most important thing I took away from it, was enjoying it. It’s all about getting out there and doing something different. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
After watching her grandad perform, Hayla said: “I think it’s quite sick seeing you dancing on Eurovision but I’d never want to see you dancing like that now, it would be quite traumatic".
Before STAND UNIQU3 take to the stage, last year's entry Freya issued them some words of advice. Hayla said: "She was so lovely. She told us just to enjoy it like everyone else has. We're just so excited and ready to perform at this point".
You can watch the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on BBC TWO and BBCiPlayer on Sunday, November 26, at 3pm.
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