From Love Island to Eurovision: Antigoni Dances Her Way to Cyprus Pride

Antigoni Buxton is stepping onto the Eurovision stage this year, representing Cyprus with her energetic dance-pop song Jalla. While many people might recognize her from her time on the reality show Love Island in 2022, Antigoni says that music has always been her true passion. She grew up in London but spent every summer in Cyprus, which helped her feel a strong connection to her Greek-Cypriot roots. Antigoni explains that being on Love Island was actually the unusual part of her journey, because she has dreamed of being a singer for as long as she can remember. Watching Helena Paparizou win Eurovision for Greece in 2005 inspired her, and now she is thrilled to be following in those footsteps.

Her Eurovision entry, Jalla, is a lively song that mixes modern dance beats with traditional Greek instruments. The title Jalla is a word from Cypriot slang that means 'more' or 'again,' and Antigoni says it has a special meaning for her. She is proud to share something unique from Cyprus with the world. In the music video for Jalla, Antigoni features her family, including her mother and grandparents, to show how important her roots are to her. She also invited Stavros Flatley, the famous father-son dance duo from Britain's Got Talent, to appear in the video. Antigoni says that in the UK, if you mention something Cypriot, people often think of Stavros Flatley, so she was excited to include them.

Antigoni describes the Eurovision community as warm, supportive, and full of positive energy. She says that while people sometimes make negative comments in the public eye, Eurovision is mostly about celebrating different cultures and having fun together. This year marks Cyprus's 42nd time competing in Eurovision, and although the country has never won, Antigoni is focused on doing her best and making her family and country proud. She says that if she can leave the contest knowing she gave her all and made her loved ones happy, that will be a victory for her. Antigoni hopes her performance will inspire others and show the world the beauty of Cypriot culture. She feels grateful for the opportunity and is excited to share her music with everyone watching Eurovision.