Essyla

Early Life and Education

Essyla, born Alice Van Eesbeeck in 1996 in Perwez, Walloon Brabant, Belgium, grew up in a musical household, influenced by both her father's home in Flanders and her mother's in Walloon Brabant. Her stage name, "Essyla," is a clever play on her birth name, spelled backwards. She pursued her passion for music at the Royal Superior Institute of Music and Pedagogy (IMEP) in Namur, where she was inspired by French chanson and later developed a love for American jazz, folk, rock, and funk.

Career

Essyla's career took off in 2020 when she competed in the ninth season of The Voice Belgique, joining the team of Belgian singer Typh Barrow. She showcased her talent and finished as the runner-up, just behind Jérémie Makiese, who went on to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. Prior to her stint on The Voice, she participated in the Eurovision Choir 2019 in Gothenburg, Sweden, as part of the choir Almakalia, representing Belgium. Following her success on the show, Essyla began to carve out a solo career, working as a backing vocalist for established artists, including her former coach Typh Barrow and rapper Ben'do. In 2023, she released her debut single "Let You Go" and her first extended play, "I'll Be Okay." Her journey culminated in her representation of Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Dancing on the Ice," where she qualified from the first semifinal and finished 21st in the Grand Final with 36 points, all awarded by national juries.