Antigoni’s Eurovision journey is a celebration of the Cypriot spirit encapsulated in her song ‘Jalla’. As I meet her at Limassol’s Four Seasons, just days after the grand final, she welcomes me warmly with the familiar Cypriot greeting of cheek kisses, exuding an honesty that feels like an old friendship.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
- After that experience, Antigoni made a choice: “Let it destroy me, or get myself together and just do what I do.” In the final, she delivered a performance she can be proud of.
“Since my return, I’ve felt overwhelmed with love from everybody,” she shares, her smile brightening the conversation. “I couldn’t have dreamed of being so welcomed by Cypriot people from the moment ‘Jalla’ came out. The support has made me feel better about the result and that the win came from different things.” After competing in the semi-final on May 14, Antigoni advanced to the final, where she placed 19th.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Jalla: A Song That Resonates
In every corner of Cyprus, from bustling bakeries to lively classrooms, people have been singing ‘jalla, jalla’ (‘more, more’) mid-sentence, reflecting how Antigoni has transformed a simple Cypriot word into a cultural catchphrase.
“I’ve always said, if I ever do Eurovision, I want to use the Cypriot dialect,” she explains. “There’s a bit of snobbery around it, but that’s the way that we speak!” Antigoni is the first to incorporate Cypriot words into a Eurovision entry, and she believes that ‘Jalla’ captures the essence of Cypriot culture perfectly. “Think about it, you go for a Cypriot mezze, and you’re so full, but no, there’s always ‘jalla’. When you think it’s done, there’s still ‘jalla’ – dessert and shots.”
“Cypriots are loud, we eat a lot, we push our luck. We’re tenacious, and I think that’s why people here resonated with the song. The whole arena in Vienna was singing ‘Jalla, jalla, astus na laloune…’ and that’s a win in itself,” she adds, her eyes sparkling with pride.
The Stage Experience
Antigoni reflects on the experience of performing on such a grand stage, a surprising familiarity developing as she rehearsed almost daily. “It’s a huge stage, so you get the chance to get used to it,” she notes. Four significant performances occurred that week: the televised semi-final, the jury semi-final, the jury final, and the live final. Despite the pressure, Antigoni found strength in the camaraderie among contestants. “It didn’t feel negative competitive energy at all. It is a lot of pressure that everyone’s under, and you can all resonate with each other,” she explains, recalling how she connected with fellow artists like Dara from Bulgaria and Sarah from Germany.
In those backstage moments, Antigoni remembers the support of her fellow participants vividly. “We were rooting for each other as we lined up to go on stage, dancing to each other’s songs. It was a really uplifting experience,” she recalls.
Facing the Pressure
Stepping onto the stage for the final was a moment filled with anticipation. “The arena was full of people, which actually made it better because I fed off that energy. I hopped on the table, waited for my start, and took a minute to look around. I thought of artists that I’ve looked up to, like Taylor Swift – this is what they feel! I knew then, I belong on those kinds of stages.”
However, the live broadcast brought its own set of nerves. “It’s so close and personal, it’s live, and sound-wise, you don’t know exactly how it is going out on TV. That scared me,” she admits. Following her performance in the semi-final, the internet reaction was harsh. “The day after, comments were overwhelmingly negative. It could destroy someone,” she confesses. “I had a breakdown backstage. It wasn’t a reflection of what I can really do.”
After that experience, Antigoni made a choice: “Let it destroy me, or get myself together and just do what I do.” In the final, she delivered a performance she can be proud of.
Support from the Community
Another source of strength came from Eleni Foureira, who represented Cyprus in 2018. “She really gave me courage before stepping on stage again,” Antigoni shares. “That to me is being a superstar – seeing somebody else who’s in your position, who’s a new artist and wanting to help them.”
Upon returning to Cyprus, Antigoni gave an emotional interview on television, expressing her feelings of disappointment. Her candidness resonated with fans, who rushed to comfort her. “I gained a whole bunch of allies!” she exclaims. “A big part of being an artist is being relatable. In that moment, I was just a girl who had been through something that didn’t go the way I wanted it to and it had affected me.”
Looking Ahead
Antigoni’s outlook remains positive despite the pressures of fame. While many would be overwhelmed, she finds joy in the support she has received. Her resilience is largely attributed to her family, particularly her mother, Tonia Buxton, and father, Paul, who have been her constant companions throughout this journey.
Life has changed drastically for Antigoni. A simple outing now turns into an opportunity for fans to connect and share the infectious ‘Jalla’ choreography. She teases that new music, shows, and a major project are on the horizon. Yet, what matters most to her is the impact of her song.
“If you gave me the choice of winning Eurovision, but people not really caring about the song or witnessing the impact that it had – people feeling proud of their dialect, households coming together, and friends quoting the song when going out – that’s so much bigger. ‘Jalla’ actually made a difference.”
Antigoni concludes, “For a long time, I saw Eurovision as this pinnacle of where I want to get to. Now, I see that it was just a huge step to the rest of my life.” As we part ways, it feels as though we’ve forged a connection; Antigoni’s warmth and charm leave a lasting impression.
