Essyla

Essyla is a Belgian singer and songwriter who first made her mark as a finalist on the ninth season of The Voice Belgique in 2020. Born Alice Van Eesbeeck in Perwez, she now commands attention on the international stage, representing Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with her song "Dancing on the Ice." Her music blends pop with jazz, folk, rock, and funk, creating a sound that is both eclectic and distinctly her own.

Since releasing her debut EP I'll Be Okay in 2023, Essyla has steadily built a dedicated following. Her singles have found airplay on Belgian national radio, and her social media presence continues to grow. As of 2026, she stands as one of Belgium's most promising new voices, with a style described as "fancy, colored, quirky, modern and singular." [edit]

Alice Van Eesbeeck grew up in Perwez, a small municipality in Walloon Brabant, Belgium. From a young age, she was drawn to music, absorbing influences that ranged from pop to jazz, folk, rock, and funk. While details of her early years remain private, her eclectic taste would later define her artistic identity.

Her first taste of public attention came in 2020 when she auditioned for the ninth season of The Voice Belgique. Her powerful vocals and magnetic presence made her a standout, and she advanced to the finals. During the competition, she faced negative comments about one of her live performances. Rather than retreat, she responded publicly on Reddit, promising to improve in the following week's show. That moment revealed a resilience and directness that would become hallmarks of her public persona.

After the show, she took time to refine her craft and develop her stage name, Essyla, a playful reversal of her birth name. In late 2023, she released her debut EP I'll Be Okay, officially launching her professional career. [edit]

Essyla's breakthrough came with her 2020 run on The Voice Belgique, where she reached the final and gained national recognition. She spent the next few years honing her sound and building her catalog. In late 2023, she released her debut EP I'll Be Okay, which included tracks like "Not My Kind of Dude." Five of her singles received airplay on Belgian national radio between 2023 and 2025, solidifying her domestic presence.

The biggest milestone arrived in 2026 when RTBF, Belgium's French-speaking broadcaster, selected her to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Her entry, "Dancing on the Ice," became her most prominent release. The selection came with a twist: Loïc Nottet was reportedly RTBF's first choice that year, but Essyla was ultimately chosen for her vocal mastery. She faced criticism over her live performances during the pre-contest period, which she addressed directly on Reddit, promising to improve. Her participation has brought her music to a global audience, with her Spotify and YouTube numbers climbing steadily. [edit]

Essyla's public image is defined by her colorful, quirky aesthetic and her genre-blending sound. She has been described as "fancy, colored, quirky, modern and singular," a fitting summary of her playful style. Her social media presence is professional yet approachable, with her management handling accounts on Instagram and Facebook, where she engages with fans.

She has built a reputation for resilience, particularly after addressing criticism of her live performances on Reddit with a promise to improve. That directness resonates with audiences, who see her as an artist willing to own her craft. While no official fandom name has emerged, her followers appreciate her authenticity and her willingness to experiment across musical styles. [edit]

Essyla's journey to the Eurovision stage has forged a small but devoted following, primarily drawn from the Eurovision community. These fans have followed her from her national selection through the contest, celebrating her quirky style and genre-blending sound. While there is no formal fandom name or organized fan campaigns documented, her supporters are active and engaged, as seen in her 21.8K Instagram followers and the discussions surrounding her live performances.

In the landscape of global fame, Essyla currently holds no placement in iFANN's published rankings. The Global Fame Engine has evaluated her, but she does not appear in the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list as of August 2026. This status reflects her niche but growing presence, with a modest YouTube subscriber base and a dedicated Last.fm following. Her fame is primarily concentrated within Eurovision circles, where she has become a recognizable figure for her vocal abilities and candid personality.

Despite not yet breaking into the upper echelons of global fame, Essyla's trajectory suggests potential for growth. Her Eurovision participation has expanded her reach beyond Belgium, and her post-contest single 'TRAUMA SHOW' has kept her in the public eye. As she continues to release music and engage with her audience, her standing in iFANN's evaluations may shift in the future.[edit]

Essyla's stage name is her birth name, Alice, spelled backwards, a playful choice she made when releasing her debut EP in 2023. She was not RTBF's first pick for Eurovision 2026; Loïc Nottet was initially preferred, but her vocal abilities swayed the selection committee. Her musical range is unusually wide for a pop artist, spanning jazz, folk, rock, and funk alongside her core pop sound. As of August 2026, her YouTube channel had around 946 subscribers and 102,364 total views, while her Last.fm profile showed 28,239 listeners and 251,180 plays, indicating a niche but engaged audience.

One of the most talked-about moments of her Eurovision journey was her response to criticism of her live performances. After a Reddit thread highlighted Belgium's reputation for live performance issues, Essyla publicly addressed the negative comments, promising to improve, a moment that endeared her to many fans. Another controversial incident occurred in April 2026 when she was asked about Israel's participation in the contest amid geopolitical tensions. Her response, 'You don't ask footballers if they lose sleep over it,' sparked debate and became a talking point in the Eurovision community.[edit]

Public information about Essyla's family is scarce. She was born in Perwez, Belgium, but has not shared details about her parents or siblings in available sources. Her upbringing appears to have been supportive of her musical interests, given her early exposure to diverse genres. As of 2026, there is no public record of a spouse or children, and she keeps her personal life largely out of the spotlight. [edit]

Essyla is managed by Lula Fischer, with booking handled by Xavier Wilkin of FKPScorpio. Her career has intersected with Belgian singer Loïc Nottet, who was reportedly RTBF's first choice for Eurovision 2026 before Essyla was selected. She has also collaborated with producers and songwriters in the Belgian music scene, though specific names are not publicly documented. [edit]

Public information about Essyla's romantic life is extremely limited. As of 2026, there are no documented relationships, engagements, or marriages in credible sources. She appears to be single, though this may simply reflect her preference for privacy. Her public focus remains on her music career, and she has not shared details about her personal life with the media. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Essyla's net worth at $1 million. This figure reflects her earnings from music streaming royalties, live performances, and advances from her Eurovision participation. Her income has grown steadily since her debut EP in 2023, with five singles receiving national radio play in Belgium. While she is not yet a major commercial force, her international exposure from Eurovision is expected to boost her financial standing in the coming years.[edit]