Essyla

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Essyla was born as Alice Van Eesbeeck in 1997 in the town of Perwez, in Belgium’s Walloon Brabant. From a very young age, she immersed herself in music. She grew up listening to French chansons and later broadened her tastes with jazz, folk, rock and funk. This musical upbringing shaped her style early on. Eager to perform, she formed her first band while still a child. She pursued formal training at the IMEP music school in Namur to refine her vocal technique. 

The Voice Belgique and Breakthrough

In 2021, Essyla’s big break came on the talent show The Voice Belgique. She impressed audiences in Season 9 of the competition and reached the grand final. Coached by popular singer Typh Barrow, Essyla ultimately finished as the runner-up, just behind Jérémie Makiese (who went on to represent Belgium at Eurovision 2022). This national exposure introduced Essyla’s powerful voice and artistic identity to a wide Belgian audience, paving the way for her music career.

Solo Career and Debut Releases

After The Voice, Essyla initially gained experience performing as a backing vocalist for established artists, including her former coach Typh Barrow. At the same time, she began crafting her own songs and distinctive pop sound. She debuted with the singles “Let You Go” and “Not My Kind of Dude” in 2023, both of which received strong radio play. Building on this momentum, she named herself “Essyla” (Alice spelled backwards). She released a five-track debut EP titled I’ll Be Okay at the end of 2023. The EP’s songs promoted themes of female empowerment and self-esteem. In the following years, she continued to put out new singles,  such as “Your Letters” (2024) and “Tip Toe” (2025). With this, she explored genres from funk to rock.

Road to Eurovision 2026

By early 2026, Essyla’s burgeoning career reached a new high. RTBF (Belgium’s French-language broadcaster) internally selected Essyla to represent Belgium at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. 

Artistic Style and Personal Life

Essyla stands out for her whimsical, eccentric style and colorful stage presence. As a songwriter she often addresses themes of self-confidence and female empowerment, resonating with the experiences of young women in her generation.

Beyond her music, Essyla has had a deep personal connection to Eurovision from a young age. As a child, she watched the 2005 Junior Eurovision Song Contest in awe, sitting by the TV while her friends played around her. She remained a dedicated fan over the years, following each Eurovision edition closely in Flanders (where her father lives) as well as in Wallonia (with her mother). In 2019, Essyla even took part in the Eurovision Choir competition in Sweden as a member of the Belgian choir Almakalia, and in 2025 she served on Belgium’s national jury for the Eurovision Song Contest. These personal milestones reflect her lifelong passion for the contest, making her own Eurovision journey in 2026 the fulfillment of a dream.