Who is JIVA? Meet Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2026 entry

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This year, Azerbaijan is hoping to reach the Eurovision Song Contest final with singer JIVA, after not making it through in 2023.

The team hadn’t qualified for the competition in the previous two years either, so JIVA is definitely feeling the pressure to bring the country back to its winning form from 2011.

Her song is a strong, emotional ballad with lyrics in both English and Azerbaijani. Ballads often perform well in the international song contest, so hopefully, she has a chance to win.

Whilst we await the verdict, here’s everything you need to know about JIVA.

Who is Azerbaijan Eurovision 2026 entry JIVA?

Instagram: @jiva_jh

TikTok: @jamila_hashimova

Jamila Hashimova, known professionally as JIVA, started her music journey in 2003 at the age of 21. Recently, she competed on The Voice Azerbaijan, impressing the judges so much that all four coaches turned their chairs during her blind audition. She ultimately chose to join Team Röya and went on to win the competition, receiving 42.6% of the public vote.

Azerbaijan announced in March that she would be their Eurovision representative, but this wasn’t her first attempt. She previously tried out for Eurovision in 2011, but wasn’t chosen to compete.

She’s a singer who performs in English, Russian, and Azerbaijani, focusing on pop, dance, and R&B music. She’s greatly influenced by Michael Jackson.

How old is JIVA?

JIVA is 43 years old.

What nationality is JIVA?

JIVA is Azerbaijani and was born in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.

What has JIVA said about representing Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2026?

JIVA expressed her excitement and honor at being chosen to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2026. She described the song she’ll be performing as deeply meaningful to her and said she’s eager to share it with the world on the Eurovision stage.

In an Instagram reel, she shared that she’d actually written about being chosen for Eurovision in her journal as part of a manifestation practice. She openly admitted it felt surreal, saying, “It’s my dream and dreams really do come true.”

What is Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2026 song called?

JIVA will be Azerbaijan’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, performing the ballad “Just Go.” The song is sung in both English and Azerbaijani.

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Where did Azerbaijan come in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?

Azerbaijan’s entry for 2025 was the band Mamagama with their song “Run With U.” Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the final round, finishing last in their semi-final heat – which was Azerbaijan’s lowest score ever in the competition.

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The Eurovision Song Contest has received a lot of criticism for letting Israel compete this year, given the current war happening in Gaza.

Several countries are choosing not to participate in this year’s contest because the European Broadcasting Union decided against banning Israel from competing.

During a December 2025 meeting, the European Broadcasting Union voted to establish rules preventing governments or outside groups from unfairly boosting certain songs to sway voting results. However, they did not vote on whether Israel would be allowed to participate.

The European Broadcasting Union announced that most of its members agreed that another vote on whether to participate wasn’t necessary. They confirmed that the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will go ahead as scheduled, with extra safety measures added.

After that announcement, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland all stated they would not be competing in Eurovision this year.

Ireland’s public broadcaster, RTÉ, has decided not to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, citing the devastating loss of life and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They believe it would be inappropriate to participate while civilians continue to be at risk.

The BBC, the UK broadcaster for the competition, has voiced its support for the EBU’s decision. In a statement, the BBC explained that this is about upholding the competition’s rules and ensuring inclusivity.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final will take place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

You can find a complete list of Eurovision winners, and see how many times the United Kingdom has been victorious in the competition.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local teams. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.

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2026-05-14 09:25