Junior Eurovision 2023 in detail

General information

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC) was back in France after two years… and with a home win. Now, without the shadow of the pandemic, the host city was Nice, at the Palais Nikaïa. The country has accepted, once again, to be the host, following Lissandro’s victory in 2022. There were 16 participating countries. This time, there were two hosts: Laury Thilleman and Olivier Minne.

Laury Thilleman was Miss France in 2011 and is a journalist, model, and TV presenter. She has also participated in Dancing with the Stars and Miss Universe in 2011.

Regarding Olivier Minne, he is a host, actor, and producer. He co-hosted the JESC in 2021 and was a commentator the French commentator for Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). He has presented Jeux Sans Frontières and participated in Dancing with the Stars, among many other programs in his career.

Alexandra Redde-Amiel was chosen as the Executive Producer, while Martin Österdahl remained in the position of Executive Supervisor, a role he has held since 2020 for both the ESC and the JESC. The directors were Julian Gutierrez and Franck Broqua.

The format remained unchanged: a single show, on November 26th. The results were determined equally by 50 percent from national juries and the public. Viewers voted online as usual, regardless of their location (voting for the own country was also possible). The online voting took place initially from November 24th until 15:59 (CET) on November 26th. It reopened after the performances for an additional 15 minutes.

The opening ceremony was held on November 20 at the Hotel Negresco in Nice. The delegations of the 16 competing countries were presented in a show hosted by Carla Lazzari. It included performances by France’s representatives at the JESC since 2018.

Identity

Heroes was the chosen slogan for JESC 2023. According to the organization, it’s more than just a slogan, aiming to be an inspiration and strength for the children during the event. The visual identity features vibrant and cheerful colors in a modern street art style.

The Executive producer Alexandra Redde-Amiel explained the meaning during a press conference alongside ESC 2023: “We wanted to keep a fairy-like universe. As in 2021, we Imagine. We wanted it to be an immediate signal of good vibes, entertainment, fun time, but also a powerful universe. You know from the first to the last children, all of them will be an heroe and it’s so important for us. The universe of heroes is a universal theme that brings the whole family together in front of television or movie screen, but not only. Some serious topics like the environmental theme was extremely present in many songs of the last contest and the children are the real heroes of tomorrow, and they are the ones who have the solutions. So, we wanted to let them empower themselves”.

Guest acts

In addition to the 16 performances in the competition, guest artists took the stage at Palais Nikäia. Last year’s winner, Lissandro, performed his winning song, Oh Maman! during the interlude and also participated in the opening act. Pianist Van Toan had a performance as well. The medley We Are The World featured former French representatives Angélina Enzo, Lissandro, this year’s participants and Shiny Gospel. Amir, who represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2016, sang J’ai Cherché and Il y a.

Competing at home, France secured its third victory in the last four editions. Zoé Clauzure’s song, Cœur, received unanimous acclaim from both the jury and the audience, amassing 228 points – 27 more than Spain (Sandra Valero, Loviu), who came in second. The podium was rounded off by Armenia, represented by the Yan Girls and their song Do It My Way.

(Click on song titles to watch the performances)

Results

(Click on song titles to watch the performances)

1st. France/Zoé Clauzure – Cœur: 228 points

2nd. Spain/Sandra Valero – Loviu: 201 points
3rd. Armenia/Yan Girls:  Do It My Way: 180 points
4th. United Kingdom/STAND UNIQU3 – Back To Life: 160 points
5th. Ukraine/Anastasia Dymyd – Kvitka: 128 points
6th. Poland/Maja Krzyżewska – I Just Need a Friend: 124 points
7th. Netherlands/Sep & Jasmin – Holding On To You: 122 points
8th. Albania/Viola Gjyzeli – Bota Ime: 115 points
9th. Germany/FIA: Ohne Worte: 107 points
10th. Malta/Yulan – Stronger: 94 points
11th. Italy/Melissa & Ranya – Un Mondo Giusto: 81 points
12th. North Macedonia/Tamara Grujeska – Kaži mi, kaži mi koj: 76 points
13th. Portugal/Júlia Machado – Where I Belong: 75 points
14th. Georgia/Anastasia & Ranina – Over The Sky: 74 points
15th. Estonia/ARHANNA – Hoiame Kokku: 49 points
16th. Ireland/Jessica McKean: Aisling: 42 points

Jury vote

1st. France/Zoé Clauzure – Cœur: 136 points
2nd. Armenia/Yan Girls:  Do It My Way: 116 points
3rd. Spain/Sandra Valero – Loviu: 115 points
4th. United Kingdom/STAND UNIQU3 – Back To Life: 102 points
5th. Albania/Viola Gjyzeli – Bota Ime: 70 points
6th. Poland/Maja Krzyżewska – I Just Need a Friend: 69 points
7th. Netherlands/Sep & Jasmin – Holding On To You: 52 points
8th. Malta/Yulan – Stronger: 51 points
9th. Ukraine/Anastasia Dymyd – Kvitka: 45 points
10th. North Macedonia/Tamara Grujeska – Kaži mi, kaži mi koj: 37 points
11th. Italy/Melissa & Ranya – Un Mondo Giusto: 37 points
12th. Germany/FIA: Ohne Worte: 33 points
13th. Portugal/Júlia Machado – Where I Belong: 30 points
14th. Georgia/Anastasia & Ranina – Over The Sky: 21 points
15th. Ireland/Jessica McKean: Aisling: 8 points
16th. Estonia/ARHANNA – Hoiame Kokku: 6 points

Public vote

1st. France/Zoé Clauzure – Cœur: 92 points
2nd. Spain/Sandra Valero – Loviu: 86 points
3rd. Ukraine/Anastasia Dymyd – Kvitka: 83 points
4th. Germany/FIA: Ohne Worte: 74 points
5th. Netherlands/Sep & Jasmin – Holding On To You: 70 points
6th. Armenia/Yan Girls:  Do It My Way: 64 points
7th. United Kingdom/STAND UNIQU3 – Back To Life: 58 points
8th. Poland/Maja Krzyżewska – I Just Need a Friend: 55 points
9th. Georgia/Anastasia & Ranina – Over The Sky: 53 points
10th. Albania/Viola Gjyzeli – Bota Ime: 45 points
11th. Portugal/Júlia Machado – Where I Belong: 45 points
12th. Italy/Melissa & Ranya – Un Mondo Giusto: 44 points
13th. Estonia/ARHANNA – Hoiame Kokku: 43 points
14th. Malta/Yulan – Stronger: 43 points
15th. North Macedonia/Tamara Grujeska – Kaži mi, kaži mi koj: 39 points
16th. Ireland/Jessica McKean: Aisling: 34 points

(Last update: November 26, 2023)