A MARBELLA-based expat reflects on her experience competing to represent San Marino at the world’s biggest TV music competition.
Estonian singer Elisa Kolk, known professionally as Elysa, just narrowly missed out on performing on Europe’s biggest music stage this Saturday.
But this isn’t her first rodeo when it comes to trying her hand at the annual musical olympics.
“This was actually my fifth time participating in a Eurovision selection process – I previously competed four times in Estonia,” the performer told The Olive Press in an interview.
The international vocalist performed in her home country’s Eesti Laul contest in 2015, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
Elysa explained that this year’s opportunity to get involved in San Marino’s competition was created by her management team submitting her song ‘The Alchemist (ImPossible)’.
The powerful track begins as a ballad before building into an uplifting pop anthem driven by meaningful lyrics.
She brought along two other familiar voices from Marbella as back up vocals: Jai Northover (@jainorthovermusic) and Chloe Carron (@eolh_norrac), a duo performing Irish, folk, and country at local joints like La Sala under the name Totally Folked.
The songstress expressed her desire to give the San Marino contest a try and see what singing for another country would be like, especially since she felt her original song was a strong one to bring to the table.
Elysa wasn’t the only one. The Dreaming San Marino Song Contest’s website shared that out of 300 songs entered from 24 countries, Spain was at the top with the most entries.
The Costa del Sol talent made it all the way to the semi-finals, which aired on March 5.
Unfortunately, she did not make it through to the finale on the following day.
While she enjoyed the new experience, Elysa voiced some confusion over the competition’s transparency, which offered no TV or public voting.
“It didn’t feel like a fully fair competition from an artist’s perspective, and there are still certain moral aspects of the process that left me questioning things afterwards,” Elysa said of her time competing in the Italian landlocked country.
San Marino’s winner was the song ‘Superstar’ by Senhit, featuring a surprise appearance by UK icon Boy George.
However, even including the Culture Club lead singer wasn’t enough to make it to Saturday night’s Eurovision finale.
San Marino was cut in the first round of the semi-finals that aired on May 12.
Despite the loss from the San Marino contest, Elysa says she is feeling grateful and looking ahead.
“I am happy to work with some of the best producers in the world, behind major artists like Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, and Enrique Iglesias,” Elysa told The Olive Press proudly.
The vocalist left behind her life in Estonia and moved to Spain a little over a year ago, with just two suitcases and her dreams in tow.
“I needed a huge life change and it was the best decision I ever made,” Elysa explained. “I am absolutely thriving in my own energy.”
As far as Eurovision goes, Elysa ensures that she still ‘truly loves it.’
“It has always been one of my dreams to be part of it, but I also feel the contest has changed a lot over the years. I miss seeing more authenticity, real emotion and music that comes straight from the heart.”
Spain is one of several countries to out-right boycott the EU singing competition this year, criticising the inclusion of Israel amid the continuous conflict in Palestine.
When asked if she would consider representing Spain if they were to join Eurovision again in the future, she said ‘never say never.’
“I am sure that this little dream I have about going to Eurovision is there for a reason, so let’s see. Only time will show!”
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Marbella’s very own singing sensation can be found performing this summer at Puerto Banus Beach.
Elysa also hinted at new music and collaborations, with a single titled ‘Karma is a Bitch’ scheduled for a release this June.
This year’s Eurovision competition is taking place in Vienna, Austria.
The finale will air at 9pm on Saturday, May 16.
Click here to read more Malaga News from The Olive Press.
