The 2023 Eurovision final is taking place in the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena on 13 May and for the 52-year-old entertainer, it's a dream come true. This year marks the 30th anniversary of her coming second in the legendary competition, representing the UK, and she has always wanted the show to be staged in her home town.
"I am super excited," she tells us when we meet at the smart modern Hilton Liverpool City Centre for our exclusive photoshoot and interview. "When I competed in 1993, I always said to everyone that if I won, we had to bring it back to Liverpool. Now it's 30 years later and my dream has come true.
"It's amazing for the city and it's only right that it was chosen because Liverpool's musical heritage alone is just unbelievable. The whole place is buzzing now, everyone is so excited. It's going to be unreal." Sonia will once again be on the Eurovision stage after the UK was chosen to host on behalf of last year's winner, Ukraine. This time there will be no pressure on her to win, however - she is taking part in an interval performance called The Liverpool Songbook.
ENJOYING THE MOMENT
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Esta historia es de la edición May 08, 2023 de HELLO! UK.
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AS 'THE DIPLOMAT RETURNS KERI RUSSELL
ON HAVING FUN WITH RUFUS SEWELL, MEETING THE U.S. AMBASSADOR AND BEING STRAPPED TO TOM CRUISE
FROM HIS CHALLENGING CHILDHOOD TO HOLLYWOOD'S HOT LIST BARRY KEOGHAN
ON BEING DRAWN TO STRONG WOMEN AND ENJOYING LIFE WITH HIS LITTLE BOY
AS 'THE SUBSTANCE' IS RELEASED MARGARET QUALLEY
ON MAKING THE LEAP FROM BALLET TO HOLLYWOOD
BUSY MUM-TO-BE AND DUTIFUL DAUGHTER PRINCESS BEATRICE
TEAMS UP WITH SISTER PRINCESS EUGENIE TO SUPPORT THEIR FATHER IN HIS EXILE FROM ROYAL LIFE
CHAMPIONING WOMEN'S HEALTH THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH
HONOURS 60 YEARS OF GROUNDBREAKING CHARITY
AS ONE DIRECTION REUNITE TO BID FAREWELL TO FORMER BANDMATE LIAM PAYNE
HUGS AND TEARS AS MOURNING FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY GOODBYE
CELEBRATING HER GAME-CHANGING NEW CONCEALER VICTORIA'S SECRETS
THE DESIGNER SHARES HER TOP SKINCARE TIPS AND REVEALS WHICH PRODUCTS HARPER LOVES TO STEAL
CHANNELLING MARY POPPINS TO CHAMPION LITERACY THE QUEEN
JOINS CELEBRITIES AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS TO APPLAUD YOUNG WRITERS' 'ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WORK'
CONTINUING A FESTIVE TRADITION - WITH A TINY NEW TREAT TO DELIGHT VISITORS WINDSOR CASTLE AT CHRISTMAS
STAFF DECK THE HALLS - AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ROYAL DOLLS' HOUSE
SNAPPING UP RECORD-BREAKING £60M MANSION IN MIAMI THE BECKHAMS
WE GO INSIDE THEIR BILLION-DOLLAR LIFESTYLE AS THE FAMILY PREPARE TO EXPAND THEIR BRAND