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Moving forward with Soleá!

23 November 2020 at 15:30 CET
Soleá from Spain has recorded her performance for Junior Eurovision 2020 RTVE / Raul Tejedor
Spain’s Junior Eurovision star for 2020 talks about her favourite artists, what’s the best thing to do in the streets of her sunny hometown of Seville, and her love for dancing! Let's find out what the 'Palante' singer is all about!

The sweet and cheerful Soleá is delighted to be representing Spain in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and can’t get enough of this experience. The Andalusian singer and dancer shared her emotions with us ahead of her performance on Sunday 29 November.

What is your favourite thing to do in Seville?

The best thing to do in Seville is to simply go out and stroll through the streets, because we’re so lucky to have the sun and nice, mild weather to enjoy.

What’s your favourite Spanish food?

Ohhhh… I can’t choose! I try everything and I like everything! But what I like the most is a good ‘spoon dish’ so I’m going to say “puchero de arroz” (rice stew). It's a broth stewed with rice, chickpeas, carrots and meat.

In what way is Flamenco is an important part of your life?

First of all, I like Flamenco a lot. I think it’s very pure and authentic and also strong, like a lion! Flamenco is dancing and singing... but if you want to do flamenco for real, you have to feel it and you have to sing and dance with your heart.

You have a family of singers and dancers. Who’s the best singer and who’s the best dancer in your family?

I think my grandfather is the best. Even though I never got the chance to meet him, I have seen many videos where he and my father are dancing, and I would have to say that he was one of the best in flamenco. As for the best dancer, there are many: my dad Farru, my uncle Farruquito, my grandma... I can’t choose only one!

What’s your favourite Spanish word?

¡OLE! (it’s a Spanish colloquial word used to encourage, clap, or cheer).

What is your favourite word to say in English?

I don’t have a specific word, but I love to pronounce the “r” and the “w” sound in English, because they’re very different from the Spanish way of pronouncing them. I love to imitate it and sound like a native English speaker.

During the interview Soleá then said ‘Welcome friends!’ in English!

Can you speak other languages other than Spanish?

A little bit of English and a little bit of French that I learnt at school.

American artists like Stevie Wonder or Christina Aguilera and Spanish performers like Aitana or Alejandro Sanz are your idols, but they’re all quite different. What is it about these artists that inspire you?

Aitana is a kids's favorite, because she is more pop and I like that her voice is strong and sweet at the same time. Then Alejandro Sanz has a raspy voice and a unique personality in it. Christina Aguilera is the master of twists and high notes while Stevie Wonder is a master in general. I also love Whitney Houston because she has this powerful, strong voice and kind of …kicks it out and projects it putting all her voice in it.

At this point in the interview, Soleá starts singing the chorus of Whitney’s I Will Always Love You!

You’ve mentioned Aitana as a pop artist that you like now, which pop songs do you listen to right now?

Current examples from the artists that I mentioned could be Fall On Me by Christina Aguilera & A Great Big World and, yes, Aitana with Cali y El Dandee and their song “+”.

You have also done some acting in the past. What do you like about it?

Yes, in a TV show here in Andalucia called Menuda Noche (What A Night). In that show, me and other kids play some moments in famous films like Aladdin or Karate Kid, and it was there where I met Aitana! When I sing a song I like to perform it, so I do relate both things from the performing point of view. I express myself through the performance.

You hope to encourage people to look ahead and unite together with your JESC song Palante. What helps you to stay motivated and looking towards the future?

What really helps me is to have a positive attitude. I try to always be happy because then I get more motivated and that helps me to express my music well and to look towards the future, of course!

What do you do to unite with others?

I do it through music.

What's happening here?

Soleá gives us the details behind some of her Instagram content!

"That is the video made in a flamenco school. In those schools they do choreography with my song. I feel like they like Palante and it makes me very happy."

"That photo is from the day that I went to record the song Palante and nobody knew anything about it. It means a lot to me because it is the first song I ever recorded and I also had a great time."

"Melani! I already consider her a friend, because she is a very sweet and positive and I get along super well with her. At that time we were on national radio singing Spain's winning song at JESC 2004 Antes Muerta Que Sencilla and that was where it all began, because it was the day when it was announced that I was going to represent Spain in 2020."

Soleá fills in the gaps!

We played a game where Soleá had to 'fill the gaps' in our sentences. Let's find out what she had to say!

The 3 words that best describe me are: Fun, temperamental and authentic.

You might not know that I am also really good at: Painting? No, not really. I'm very good at rhythmic gymnastics and ballet dancing. I love to dance, I'm dancing all around the house all the time.

However, I wish I was good at: Playing an instrument. Specifically the violin.

The 3 words that best describe my song and performance are: Positive, fun and meaningful.

If I could meet a previous Eurovision star it would be: Pastora Soler (Spain, 2012). Her voice is amazing and she's also from Seville!

This year has been quite difficult for many but what I have learnt from 2020 is: that you have to stay strong and never give up. You have to move forward, Palante!

When I first found out that I would not be travelling to Poland I felt: A little bit sad, because I wanted to live the experience of being with the other kids and getting to know each other. I also wanted to feel how performing on the stage in front of a whole country was but I'm understanding and I know that it is for security reasons, so all in all I take it well, because I know it is for our good and for the sake of health.

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest is so special to me because: It fulfills a kid's dreams. It's not something hard or compulsory and instead it's fun! They assigned me some really impressive coaches that I'm having a great time with and at the same time I'm learning a lot from them and from this experience.

I am most looking forward to: the 12 points!! Hahaha... I know we all want to win. What I'm really looking forward to is November 29th and once it comes, I hope that it never ends!

Will Soleá hear 'Spain, 12 points' after her performance of 'Palante'? Move forward and tune in on Sunday 29 November to find out!