From Destiny to Molly Sandén: EBU highlights Junior Eurovision's legacy before 25th anniversary

With Junior Eurovision 2026 entering rehearsal week in Malta, the European Broadcasting Union is looking beyond Saturday's result to a much longer story: the opportunities the competition has offered young musicians since 2003. In a report published on 19 October, the EBU highlighted former participants whose careers continued on the Eurovision stage, in recording studios and in international entertainment. The article comes as Junior Eurovision approaches its 25th anniversary in 2027.

Two of the clearest examples will appear on stage as presenters in Malta. Gaia Cauchi delivered the country's first Junior Eurovision victory in 2013 and has continued to work as a singer and mentor. Destiny Chukunyere won in 2015 with 'Not My Soul', then represented Malta at the adult Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 with 'Je Me Casse', finishing seventh in the Grand Final. Both will host the 2026 show alongside television presenter Keane Cutajar.

The EBU also pointed to performers whose Junior Eurovision journeys later connected with the adult contest. Serbia's Nevena Božović represented her country at both levels, while Stefania Liberakakis sang for the Netherlands at Junior Eurovision before representing Greece at Eurovision. Georgian acts Bzikebi and Iru Khechanovi provide further examples: Iru previously competed with the group CANDY and later represented Georgia on the senior stage.

Other alumni found success beyond Eurovision itself. Dino Jelusić won the inaugural 2003 Junior Eurovision for Croatia and later built a career as a rock vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, including work with Whitesnake. Sweden's 2006 participant Molly Sandén became an established singer and provided the singing voice associated with Rachel McAdams' character in the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, including the Oscar-nominated song 'Húsavík'. The EBU also cited Australian 2016 representative Jael Wena, whose career has taken her to London and a deal with Capitol Records UK.

The new generation is already gathering in Ta' Qali. According to the EBU, backstage greetings between participants from the Netherlands, Montenegro and San Marino illustrate the friendships encouraged by the event. Sixteen countries will compete at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre on Saturday 24 October. Host broadcaster PBS has themed the 24th edition 'The Festa', inspired by Maltese village celebrations; the live broadcast starts at 21:00 CEST.

Junior Eurovision began in 2003, meaning 2027 will mark 25 years since its launch. The EBU's anniversary framing is a reflection on the contest's cultural legacy, not an announcement of a host city or format for 2027. For this year's entrants, the immediate focus remains rehearsals and the Malta final, while the careers of earlier competitors show how one childhood appearance can become part of a much longer artistic journey.