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Australian schoolgirl Jael Wena soars at Junior Eurovision

Did the 12-year-old from Melbourne live up to the title of her song "Champion" at the final in Belarus?
ABC

This year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest has just taken place in Belarus, Poland and 12-year-old Jael Wena represented Australia, performing her song “Champion”. You can watch highlights of the competition tonight on ABC ME from 6pm (or scroll further down to find out how she went). But first, a few words from Jael herself 

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Where were you when you found out you’d be competing in Junior Eurovision?
I had just come home from school. My mum and dad were on speakerphone to my manager. She told me and I just started screaming and laughing. I was so excited!

What is your song “Champion” about?
My song is about the champion in all of us and being the best version of ourselves. Sometimes we don’t try things out of fear. With this song I want people to believe in themselves and go after their dreams.

Do you ever sing in inappropriate places?
Yes, I sing non-stop. I get told off by my teachers all the time. I sing when I’m hanging out with my friends and sometimes they get embarrassed and tell me to zip it.

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Who are your role models and why?
Definitely Tori Kelly and Guy Sebastian. Not only do I love their voices – I think they’re amazing singers – but I admire them as people. They have values and live their life a certain way, and I really appreciate that.

What is your message to Australia?
Each and every one of us has a champion inside of us. All Australians can be anyone they want, if they believe in themselves. I live by this message. I want to share this with everyone and encourage them. I also believe we’re all stronger and happier when we support each other and stick together.

If you don’t want to know whether Jael won or not before tuning in to ABC ME tonight then STOP READING NOW.

Jael Wena Junior Eurovision
(Credit: ABC)
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Overall, Jael placed third in the contest, with Poland taking out first place on home turf and France coming in second. Jael did, however, place first with the national juries, which are comprised of three music industry professionals and two children from the 19 other participating countries. In online voting, which also forms part of the final score, Jael placed ninth overall. What a champion effort!

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