Love Island's Antigoni Buxton Represents Cyprus at Eurovision with Jalla

Antigoni Buxton, a contestant on series eight of Love Island in 2022, will represent Cyprus at Eurovision with her song Jalla in the second semi-final.

Fans of the reality show may spot her amid familiar faces at the contest, where countries like San Marino have featured celebrities such as Boy George this year and Flo Rida in 2021. Buxton told BBC Newsbeat that her Love Island stint was the random choice, not her music career. "I've been wanting to be a singer, that has been my dream since I was as young as I can remember," she said. "And I had an obsession with Eurovision ever since I saw Helena Paparizou win for Greece in 2005."

Love Island helped introduce her to a wide audience, she added, putting her on the path she always wanted. Born in London to Greek-Cypriot parents, Buxton feels a strong connection to Cyprus, the third-largest Mediterranean island. "I was born and raised in London but spent six to eight weeks every summer in Cyprus and grew up feeling very Cypriot," she said.

Jalla draws on traditional Greek instruments and the Tsifteteli belly dance. Its title is Greek-Cypriot slang meaning "more" or "again," a word unique to Cyprus. "I am really proud to be able to share that, because sharing my roots is something I do across all my music," Buxton said.

Her family, including her mother and grandparents, appears in the Jalla music video. She also enlisted Stavros Flatley, the father-son Cypriot dance duo famous from Britain's Got Talent in 2009. "In the UK, if you had to name a Cypriot thing that's happened, it's that," she said. Buxton contacted Demi, Stavros Flatley's real name, and he agreed with an open heart.

As a former reality TV star, Buxton welcomes returning to the spotlight at Eurovision. "That's the thing about Eurovision, it's almost the opposite of some things I've done in the public eye in the past where people want to judge and give bad comments," she said. "People still do, but it's a very loving community. It's a really warm, happy, loving, supportive community. Everyone sees that it's a big opportunity to learn about culture, to have fun. So I feel overwhelmed with joy and with gratitude."

Cyprus will compete for the 42nd time in Eurovision, the most of any country without a win. They missed the 2025 final but go big this year. Buxton's Vienna stage performance brings her table-dancing lyrics to life as dancers emerge from under a supersized table. The song builds to a climax with heavy pyrotechnics.