Antigoni Buxton, Former Love Island Contestant, to Represent Cyprus at Eurovision with Song Jalla

Antigoni Buxton, who appeared in series eight of Love Island in 2022, will represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Jalla. The 30-year-old singer-songwriter enters the second semi-final in Vienna this week, hoping to reach Saturday's final after Cyprus did not reach the 2025 Eurovision final. Buxton was born in London but has Greek-Cypriot roots.

She spent six to eight weeks every summer in Cyprus and grew up feeling very Cypriot, she told BBC Newsbeat. This year marks Cyprus's 42nd time competing in Eurovision, more times than any other country without a win. Her dance-pop anthem Jalla references the popular Greek belly dance Tsifteteli.

The title is Greek-Cypriot slang which roughly translates as 'more' or 'again'. The word Jalla is only used in Cyprus, Buxton said. Buxton's family, including her mother and grandparents, appear in the music video for Jalla.

Stavros Flatley also appear in the music video. Stavros Flatley is a father-son dance duo who appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009. Stavros Flatley's real name is Demi, Buxton said. Buxton entered Love Island's villa as a bombshell in 2022.

She told BBC Newsbeat that appearing on the dating show felt more random than her Eurovision opportunity. "If anything doing Love Island was random," she said. Her ambition to perform at Eurovision dates back to childhood.

"I've been wanting to be a singer, that has been my dream since I was as young as I can remember," Buxton said. " Helena Paparizou won Eurovision for Greece in 2005. Buxton, who uses traditional Greek instruments in Jalla, said she is proud to share her roots across her music.

The live performance on the stage in Vienna takes the song's lyrics about dancing on tables literally, with dancers emerging from under a supersized table as pyrotechnics erupt toward the climax. As a former reality television contestant, Buxton noted the contrast in public reception. " People still judge, she acknowledged, but the overall atmosphere focuses on culture and fun.

Buxton said her focus is not solely on winning. "In terms of my career and in terms of success, the focus is just doing my very best," she told BBC Newsbeat. She added that making history for Cyprus would mean a great deal to its people, though she would consider it a win if her family, team and country felt proud of the performance.

BBC News reported that Buxton contacted Demi directly to secure his appearance in the video, saying he agreed with an open heart. , if one had to name a Cypriot cultural moment, Stavros Flatley's Britain's Got Talent appearance would top the list.