EscDaily had the opportunity to speak with American singer Glenys Várgas, backing vocalist of Albania’s Juliana Pasha in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo. We spoke with Glenys about her career so far, the experience in the Eurovision and about her future plans. Read the interview below:

EscDaily: Hello Glenys, thank you for taking part in this interview. First of all, would you be so kind and make a short introduction of yourself? 

Glenys: Thank you for your support. I appreciate it. 

I’m a singer/songwriter from New York City and currently living in Rome, Italy. I sing Jazz, R&B, Pop, Soul and Gospel with my own band as well as with two vocal groups: Soul Seduction and GroovEssence. I am also writing a book based on my experiences, some of which appear on my blog: Glenys’ Rome & Beyond: http://glenysromeandbeyond.wordpress.com. 

I have been performing since I was a child as a singer/actress/dancer and have appeared in musicals, films, TV and commercials. I toured the world with musicals and performed in hundreds of cities around the globe. This is mostly why I feel like a citizen of the world. I am American, but the world has made me who I am today. 

I modelled for Versace and Gaultier when I was spotted on stage during one of my performances, but continued to concentrate on music. Aside from my performances and concerts at special events, I have collaborated with several DJs and two of my songs reached the top of the charts for a week. It was through these collaborations that the writer in me emerged.

EscDaily: You took part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo as backing vocalist for Albania’s Juliana Pasha. Tell us about the experience performing on such a big stage and audience!

Glenys: Although throughout my career I have performed in front of large audiences and on spacious stages when touring with various musicals, the Eurovision audience and stage was different due to the cameras, top-notch technology and audience at home. The excitement of the competition was tangible, which added to the energy. 

It would have been great to perform longer and really enjoy the audience. Three minutes goes by in a flash. However, in those three minutes, it was awesome to be on that amazing stage with Juliana, Desiree, Joy and Olin. It was a blast! 

Juliana Pasha is such an amazing singer and the Albanian delegation were beyond wonderful. I am so grateful for this experience and now I am addicted. I want more! 

EscDaily: Have you ever heard about the Eurovision Song Contest before you entered by yourself?

 Glenys: The name sounded familiar but I had no idea what it was. I had had no idea that Celine Dion, Abba, Lara Fabian and Tatou had all come from Eurovision. I didn’t know they were all unknowns prior to Eurovision. I think Eurovision is an excellent opportunity for singers to really show their stuff! I wish it were a worldwide competition. That would be mindblowing!

EscDaily: Beside Juliana’s Song, who was your favorite in Oslo? What do you think about the winning song “Satellite” by Lena?

Glenys: My favorites:

1. Albania, of course!
2. Israel: Gorgeous song and such a beautiful singer. He exuded such warmth.
3. Lithuania: This song was sooo much fun. I was shocked that it didn’t make it to the finals! I mean, really, how is that possible?
4. Greece: OPA! Need I say more?
5. Ukraine: At first, I hated it BUT when she performed it on the Eurovision stage, something magical happened. Superb!
6. Serbia: Fun song and such a colorful personality!
7. Turkey: Wonderful song and performance.

Although I enjoy the people from these countries and even feel quite at home in Germany and Holland after having spent so much time there, I disliked their songs:

• Netherlands: Beautiful country but I did not like the Sha-la-whatever it was.
• Russia: I have so many Russian friends but this song depressed me a bit.
• Slovenia: I had an amazing time in Ljubljana, but not during this song.
• Belarus: One of my closest friends is from Belarus and even she disliked this song.
• Germany: I lived a year in Germany and it feels like a second home, but I really disliked this song.

Yes, I disliked the winning song. I think the public liked it because the style was current and many songs competing were a bit dated. However, to like it so much beyond all the others, is something that surprised me and still boggles my mind. I heard a Finnish version of Satellite and I preferred it. Perhaps I would have liked it if Lena had sung it in German. Perhaps I’ll love her 2011 song, who knows? I can’t judge an artist by one song alone.

EscDaily: Would you like to enter the Eurovision stage again?

Glenys: Yes! Ja!  Да! Si! Oui! Po! Evet! Certo! Ayo! Kyllä! Bæli! Am I clear? It was such a great experience and the people involved were wonderful to meet. We had so much fun the entire time! I am working on getting myself to Eurovision 2011, centre stage! 

I could use everyone’s support. Please go to my Facebook page ‘Glenys Vargas for Eurovision 2011′ and click ‘Like’: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glenys-Vargas-for-Eurovision-2011/126487764061186

EscDaily: Please, tell us a little bit about your future plans. Are you working on a new project, album,…?

Glenys: I have written a song that I plan to submit to Eurovision 2011 and have been contacted by a producer who wishes to collaborate on a song as well. So I plan to submit two songs to Eurovision and pray that one will get chosen to be presented at Eurovision 2011.

EscDaily: If you had the chance to choose one artist you would like to work with, who would it be and why?

Glenys: There are many artists I would love to work with such as Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Jay Z and Lady Gaga. But if I could only choose one I would choose Timbaland. He is wonderful artist/producer who has worked with a variety of artists and yet each time the true essence of the performer comes through. He is like the platinum diamond setting that allows the diamond to shine. I admire Timbaland’s work and would love to work with him.

EscDaily: And one last thing: do you have a message for our EscDaily readers?

Glenys: Yes. It is easy for people to get caught up in the competition amongst the countries, but please vote for the song. The song is the most important thing in Eurovision. I don’t care whether it is a small or large country or one you’ve never heard of. I don’t care if you have political disputes or problems with a country. These are individual singers singing individual songs. Vote for the song you like best, no matter what! Be true to the music and it will be true to you!

EscDaily: Thank you Glenys for this interview; wish you all the best in your further career and life! Bye…

Glenys: It was my pleasure. Thank you for interviewing me. I appreciate all of your support and I hope to be chosen so I can see you in Germany in 2011! 

-Feel free to listen to Glenys’ music on myspace and youtube:
www.myspace.com/glenysvargas
www.youtube.com/user/glenysvargas
-Read her blog, about her experience in the ESC 2010:
http://glenysromeandbeyond.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/my-big-fat-eurovision-experience/
-and support her for Eurovision 2011!!!:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glenys-Vargas-for-Eurovision-2011/126487764061186