Júlia Machado, a 12-year-old Portuguese American performer, has won the 4th edition of “The Voice Kids” Portugal.
Her outstanding talent and captivating performances have earned her the prestigious title, and she will now represent Portugal at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
From Long Branch, New Jersey, where she grew up, Júlia’s victory has brought immense pride to Portuguese communities worldwide, as she has shown that people of Portuguese descent can achieve anything.
She was born in Monsanto and Amiais de Cima, in the district of Santarém, Portugal before her parents, Raquel Martins Rosa and Bruno Machado, emigrated to the United States.
Although she spends most of her summers in the country of her birth, currently she resides in Portugal as required to participate in the competition, where she attends Escola Secundária de Alcanena.
In the United States, she has been a student at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Apart from her passion for singing and acting, Júlia enjoys cycling and surfing the waves in Nazaré. In the future, she aspires to become a veterinarian or pursue a career in singing.
At the final of The Voice Kids Portugal, Júlia delivered a captivating performance of Adele’s “Hello“ while viewers around the world voted the winner through phone calls.
Viewers decided by voting for their favorites in two phases. The first part determined the top three contestants based on votes, and then the lines were reopened to choose the ultimate winner.
Portugal aims to continue its success in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, following Nicolas Alves’ achievement in the previous edition, where he secured Portugal’s best-ever result with the song “Anos 70,” finishing in 8th place.
Júlia Machado will carry Portugal’s hopes in this year’s competition, and her talent and dedication are expected to shine on the international stage.
The Eurovision junior contest 2023 will be hosted by France for the second time having previously hosted the contest in 2021 in Paris after their victory in the 20th edition held in Yerevan, Armenia, with Lissandro’s song “Oh Maman!”
Júlia Machado’s success in winning “The Voice Kids” Portugal and subsequently being selected to represent her country at the Eurovision junior contest 2023 is a remarkable achievement.
The contest rules state that contestants must be between 9 and 14 years old on the date of the contest (26th November).
PAJ/Staff
