At the end of the month of May, RTSH held a national final to find the Albanian representative for Junior Eurovision. Out of 14 acts, Mishela Rapo stood out and won her ticket for Sofia, to represent Albania in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015. The 14 year old girl took the time to talk to ESCBubble about her song, called ”Dambaje”, and her forthcoming participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

What was your first reaction when you were told that you would represent your country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015, after winning the Albanian national final?

It wasn’t the first time that I had won a festival but this time it was different. It was surprising and I also felt so good. I felt so good to be rewarded after all the hard work. It was the start of something great. It has set myself a goal, to convey as well as I could my song to the public. I had already competed at the Junior Fest Albania 2012 with the song “Mamma mia te amo”, when Albania participated at JESC for the first time.

How would you describe your song ‘’Dambaje’’ in a few words? Is there a message behind the song?

My song’s message is “Love and peace all over the world”. It invites all the children of the world to dance and sing together, having harmony among each other because music unites us, and has no bounds. The song has greetings in different languages.”Dambaje” is just a word we created, that is easy to pronounce by everyone, so everyone can sing along. 

Do you have any special ideas for your performance in Sofia (ex: choreography, dress…)?

We are still working. We have not decided yet for the costume.

Besides singing, do you have other passions/hobbies?

I’ve been studying at the National Artistic School of Tirana for 4 years, so I can play guitar and piano very well. I also really like learning foreign languages too. Until now I can speak English, Turkish, German, and a little bit French.

At what age did you start singing? How did you start singing?

I have started singing at the age of 8. Firstly, I competed at the National Festival of Children- Shkodër where for the first time I won the prize for “The Best Debutation”. After that with my insistence, I was a part of the Talent-Show “Gjeniu I Vogël 4”, and I reached the TOP 6 among 500 participants. And then, my musical career continued in different festivals winning many prizes, representing Albania in International competitions, etc..

Are you a Eurovision fan? What are your favorite Eurovision songs? Would you like to participate to Eurovision one day?

Yes of course, I have always watched both, the ESC and the JESC. My favorite song of the JESC, is the Armenian song “People of the sun” and of the adult’s ESC it’s “Euphoria” by Loreen. I would really like to represent my country at the ESC one day. That majestic stage is every singer’s dream nowadays, it is mine too.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

My superpower would be to make all the people of the world to smile and be happy.

At last, what would you like to say to your fans that are going to support you at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015?

Their support is very important for me. I’ll do my best to convey my message to them.

Fun facts about Mishela:

What is your favorite…?

• Movie:  Hachiko: A Dog’s Story
• Artist(s): Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera
• Book: Broken April by Ismail Kadare
• Sport: Basketball
• TV Show: The Talent-Show “Gjeniu I Vogël”

We would like to thank Mishela for the interview and we would also like to wish her the best of luck in Sofia, at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015!