
At home in Portugal: Júlia Machado belongs on the stage
18 November 2023 at 19:01 CETJúlia’s journey to Junior Eurovision has involved crossing continents. The 13-year-old is Portuguese-American, and after being raised in New Jersey moved to Portugal so that she could compete in The Voice Kids Portugal. Of course she won, and she became the first Portuguese-American to do so. Getting first place in that competition unlocked something even more exciting — her chance to represent Portugal at Junior Eurovision 2023.
When Júlia went back to the USA after being away in Portugal for so long, she was greeted by a surprise party. Let’s hope they’ve got some balloons leftover for her next visit after Junior Eurovision.
Where I Belong is a song all about finding a place to call home, and Júlia finds it in her family.
This touching ballad was co-written by one of Júlia’s personal pop heroes, MTV EMA-winning singer-songwriter Fernando Daniel. He’s had albums in the top spot of the Portuguese music charts and even coached Júlia on The Voice Kids, singing with her in the final. Júlia’s got a picture of the two of them performing as her phone lock screen.
Also co-writing the song are Portuguese musician João Direitinho, who’s part of the band ÁTOA, and 15-year-old Portuguese singer-songwriter Aurora Pinto. Aurora has released her own songs, and written for other artists too.
Júlia might be a bit confused about traditional superhero costumes: cape, mask, and pants on the outside of your trousers. Recently when she and her mum were in Times Square, New York, Júlia realised that her trousers were on inside out. If this is in fact Júlia’s superhero costume, we reckon her superpower must be singing.
The first song Júlia ever learnt to sing was Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid, and it’s still one of her favourite tracks. Also on her top hits list are Adele’s When We Were Young, Ruth B.’s Lost Boy and from the Eurovision hall of fame, Céline Dion with I Surrender. Being such a big fan of her The Voice Kids coach Fernando Daniel, she also loves his song Melodia Da Saudade. It’s a piano and vocal song that really pulls at the heartstrings, and it’s clearly made an imprint on Júlia’s style of music.
Julia says: “We live in a world where so many people struggle to find their happy place… HOME. [I] hope that with my song you feel a big hug of peace and love, and you can connect with my message.”
You can learn more about Júlia Machado right here.
You can now stream the official #JESC2024 album and watch all 17 songs over on the official #JESC YouTube channel!
Make sure to keep up to date with all the latest news and BTS action by following #JESC2024 on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, before Junior Eurovision returns LIVE from the Caja Mágica in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday 16 November.
You can watch the show live on the #JESC YouTube channel and don't forget to vote for your favourites over at JESC.TV when voting opens!
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