Naré Kerobyan, 13, will represent Armenia at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on October 24 in Malta with the song “BOO!”, which premiered on Public Television of Armenia on Wednesday night. It is her 4th attempt to reach the contest.
She auditioned 3 times in previous years without being selected, including for the 2023 national selection, according to the Armenian Head of Delegation.
More than 100 singers applied this year. 40 were invited to a second round of auditions in Yerevan in July, where a panel of 8 assessed them, including Rosa Linn, who represented Armenia at Eurovision 2022 with “Snap.” An international jury helped decide who advanced to the final round.
The competition was open to Armenian citizens and residents who will be between 9 and 14 years old on October 24, with solo singers, duets and groups of up to 6 all eligible to apply.
“BOO!” was written and produced by Lilit Navasardyan, Grigor Kyokchyan, Nick Egibyan, Martin Mirzoyan and Anush Ter-Ghukasyan. The team carries Armenia’s recent record in the contest. Navasardyan co-wrote “Brave Heart,” which took 4th place last year, and Kyokchyan and Egibyan wrote “Dance!” for Nare Ghazaryan in 2022, which finished 2nd with 180 points.
Kerobyan described “BOO!” as a playful, upbeat song about the fears people carry and the courage they find when they face them rather than hide. Through laughter, dancing and imagination, she said, even the darkest shadows can lose their power and become part of the game.
She studies at Yerevan Basic School No. 200 and has trained seriously in vocals for several years, taking part in a number of musical projects.
Kerobyan is the eldest daughter of former Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan, who announced the result on social media. “This year, my daughter won the national competition and will represent Armenia at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest,” he wrote.
The 24th Junior Eurovision Song Contest takes place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali, hosted by Gaia Cauchi, Destiny Chukunyere and Keane Cutajar.
Armenia has one of the strongest records in the competition. It debuted in 2007 with Arevik’s “Erazanq,” which finished 1 point off the winning score, and has placed in the top 3 on 10 occasions. It won twice, with Vladimir Arzumanyan’s “Mama” in 2010 and Maléna’s “Qami Qami” in 2021, and hosted the contest in Yerevan in 2011 and again in 2022.
Albert carried Armenia last year in Tbilisi with “Brave Heart,” placing 4th with 175 points.
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