Emmy representing Ireland: "I want to keep the heart of the Eurosong performance"

It was on 3 November 1957 that the Soviet space dog Laika was sent to space. Still up today, even if way more controversial, a lot experiments are performed on animals but back in the day, the appreciation and respect for animal life wasn't as strong and once in a while animals would be sent out in space.

The experiments aimed to prove that a living organism could survive being launched into orbit. In Laika's case, it failed and hours after the launching of the craft, she died of hyperthermia.

Many of us only dived into this tragic story once Emmy was selected to represent Ireland at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Laika Party". The song pays a beautiful homage to Laika and creates a different narrative where Laika didn't die but is still partying "in the sky".

– We have this thing in my family where we do a quiz every week and one of those days, there was a question about Laika, Emmy starts explaining.

Just like every one of us, she had heard of Laika's story but forgot about it with time. The family quiz made Emmy recall it:

– It made me think of how incredibly sad her story was and that made me want to write her a happy scenario instead.

Mission accomplished. Despite of the sad storyline, "Laika Party" is an upbeat Pop song filled with fantasy, choreography and shiny elements.

The song was initially written in a Eurovision camp for Norway, Emmy's homeland. The fact that it has such an unique theme and such a positive message made it fit into the song contest:

– We did write the song in a Eurovision camp in Norway but in that camp, there were songwriters from a lot of different countries, she says.

– On one of the days, I was in a group with some Norwegians and an Irish songwriter and that's when "Laika Party" happened.

I do feel like I have the people of Ireland supporting me.

It is unclear if NRK, Norway's Eurovision broadcaster, heard "Laika Party" but once they were out of the camp, it felt natural for the songwriting team to submit it to Ireland's national selection Eurosong 2025. Emmy ended up winning both the televote and the Irish jury vote:

– I am so happy we did because now I am here, she says smiling.

The reception has been great:

– The Irish people have welcomed me in such a warm way. I'm so grateful for their love and support. That's really, really important to me. I do feel like I have the people of Ireland supporting me.

– I think that all I can do now is do my very best and make them proud.

How do you see the competition factor of Eurovision?

– Oh... All of the songs are amazing and I am a big Eurovision fan. As I said, I can only do my best and I am aware the competition will be tough but I hope we will all make it a show people can enjoy.

She mentions Sissal's "Hallucination" as one of her favourite songs this year.

Emmy and Eurovision 2025

Emmy is a 24-year-old singer from Norway. Music has always been in her life as both her parents and grandparents were musicians themselves:

– I've started this passion very early on and I never was like "this is what I'm going to do", I've just kind of always done it and it has led to different and beautiful things like Eurosong and Eurovision.

We'll have to make it bigger ... It's going to be a party

Eurosong 2025 wasn't Emmy's first contact with the music contest. The Norwegian singer had already tried to represent her home country back in 2021 in Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2021 and was part of the jury for Norway in 2023. She can't share with us who she ranked first that year but is beyond happy to finally be part of Eurovision:

– It feels so amazing and surreal, I can't believe it's actually happening. I am such a big Eurovision fan so to be part of the show feels... Magical, she says.

She goes on to explain her love for the show and focuses on how it unites people... Sometimes.

2024 wasn't exactly like that. There were some tensions... Do you fear it may happen again?

– Yeah, I guess. I just want the whole world to be happy and safe. I think my most important role as a singer and songwriter is to spread as much comfort and joy as I possibly can especially in hard times.

Ireland is one of those countries that truly glows up from the national selection to the Eurovision stage... Take Bambie Thug (Ireland 2024) or Brooke Scullion (Ireland 2022). Will we see the same for "Laika Party"?

– You know, I would like to keep the heart of the performance that we did in Eurosong, she says.

– But, of course, since the stage is bigger, we'll have to make it bigger and I am so excited for that and to just bring like a party to the stage... It's going to be a party.

She goes on to say that the people that joined her in Eurosong will be in Basel and more people may join:

– The stage is bigger so obviously more people could come along, she hints.

Spreading joy, smiles and comfort are Emmy's main goals with her participation as well as enjoy the process:

– I really want people to think of me as someone that has brought them either joy or a smile. I love making people smile or help them in any way.

Emmy will represent Ireland at this year's Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Basel, Switzerland. She will firstly perform "Laika Party" hoping to get a place in the final on 15 May during the second semi-final.