Bianca Claxton is a 25 year-old singer from Nottingham. She is one of the participants in ‘Eurovision: You Decide’ – the UK’s national selection for Eurovision which will take place this Friday 26 February on BBC Four, where she will participate with her song ‘Shine a Little Light written by Ash Howes, Cass Lowe, Leona Lewis and Richard Stannard. Bianca took time out from her busy rehearsal schedule to have a chat to us about herself, her Eurovision bid, and a few of her favourite things!

Hi Bianca! Firstly, thanks so much for agreeing to take part in this interview with us, we really appreciate it! Congratulations for making the short list for the Eurovision show!

Thank you! I’m so excited!!! 🙂

You started your career at the Royal Academy of Music. Can you tell us a bit about that and how it has prepared you for your
career in music so far?

Well I started off as a cellist and then made the transition into classical singing and I think it’s really helped me over the years to push myself and become a better singer. Having a classical training has been so valuable for me with my singing because it taught me so many techniques that have been really helpful for all the other different types of singing I have done. Without my training, I probably wouldn’t be able to hit some of those notes. Haha!

A lot of people will know you from your time in the girl group Parade. That must have been a lot of fun?

Yeah it was so much fun. I’m so grateful that I was introduced to this mental industry having four other girls by my side. It was such a great experience. We had some right laughs.

What was your #1 highlight of your time in the band? Was it having a top 10 single?

Definitely. I still don’t really believe it happened. It was all so mental. That is certainly a moment I will never forget.

Do you still keep in touch with the other girls in the band?

I kept in touch with a couple of the girls and try to keep an eye on the exciting things they’re up to. Haven’t caught up with them in ages though.

Your song has some very famous writers, among them X Factor alumni Leona Lewis and Richard Stannard, who wrote lots of hits for the Spice Girls. How did you and the song end up together?

It sort of happened by accident. Shine A Little Light was already being considered as a possible Eurovision entry, but they had nobody to sing it as it still had Leona’s vocals on it because she co wrote it. I had been working with Biff and Ash, a couple of the writers of the song, on something else, so I already knew them well and love working with them. I was then asked if I wanted to put a vocal down, which was obviously daunting considering Leona is so amazing!! But everybody seemed to like it and that was that. The song was then entered and it all spiralled from there. I was so so excited as I’m a massive Eurovision fan.

What was your first reaction when you discovered you had made it to the final six? Who was the first person you told?

I was so unbelievably excited. Couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The first person I told was my Mum.

It’s not long to go until the live show. How have you been preparing for it?
Can you give us any hints about the live performance?

I’ve been rehearsing loads, and making sure I drink lots of honey, lemon and ginger. The song is a really big sing so it’s important I’m vocally prepared for it. All I can say is that I think the live performance is going to look stunning. The backdrop, staging and outfit are incredible and I think it’s going to be quite dramatic. I just need to give a performance to match it.

What will be the first thing you will do if you win on Friday?

Scream probably. Haha! And maybe cry. I have a tendency to cry when I’m really happy.

How would it feel to represent your home country on the Eurovision stage?

Incredible. I’m someone who has loved Eurovision ever since I was a little girl so personally this would be the most rewarding experience ever. The thought of representing the UK on the Eurovision stage is something I never could have dreamed of.

Have you always followed Eurovision?

Yeah. Massively. I always end up getting blocked off Twitter on the night of Eurovision because I tweet about it too much!

What are your favourite Eurovision songs?

I think my favourite Eurovision entry recently has been The Common Linnets – Calm After the Storm. Loved how different and beautiful that song was. But obviously, I have massive love for Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine A Light.

What’s next for you after Eurovision? Have you got any plans to release more music, and if so, can you tell us a bit more about it?

I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t made any plans for after Eurovision. I’m just giving this all my attention. It’s such an incredible thing to be part of and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.

How can your fans get in touch with you?

I’m on Twitter @biancamusicuk, on Instagram biancaclaxton1 and I have an official Bianca Facebook page.

Just so our readers can get to know the real Bianca a bit more:

What was the first record you ever bought?
Aqua – Barbie Girl

What is your favourite song right now?
Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud

What was the last TV show you binge watched?
Sherlock. LOVE Sherlock!

What is your favourite thing to do on a day off?
Chill watching films and maybe make sushi.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
Anywhere hot! I love the sun! 😎

And finally, have you got a message for all your fans who are supporting your Eurovision bid?

Thank you so so much. Your support really does mean the world. And if you enjoy my performance on Friday, and think I’m the right choice to represent the UK, then you can vote during the show. Thank youuuuu. ?

Best of luck for Friday and hopefully we will get to see you in Stockholm in May!

Thanks so much guys! I hope so too.

You can check out Bianca’s song ‘Shine A Little Light’ right here!