Interview with PAULA: "I think Latvian language is charming, and we need more of it… honestly."

 

PAULA is stepping into Supernova 2026 with 'Dejot Vien', a Latvian-language track built on movement, emotion and that moment when you choose yourself again. Competing in the second semi-final on February 7, the singer opened up to Hashtag Eurovision about her journey back to music, her creative process, and why this song feels like the right one to tell her story. 

The interview began with a challenge: “three sounds, one story.” PAULA’s picks were unexpectedly vivid — an alarm clock, the click-clack of heels, and the sound of a harp. And with those, she painted a picture of where she is right now: focused, ambitious, and finally ready to step out of a quiet period.

“It’s been a journey,” she admitted, describing the alarm clock as more than a daily routine. “I had this wake up call this summer that, hey. I wanna do more. I wanna, like, you know, prove to myself and others that, you know, music is a thing I wanna do.” 

After two years away from releasing music, applying to Supernova became a turning point. “That was like a little wake up call in a way, alarm clock for me to wake up from this, you know, hiatus because I haven't been making music for two years now. So, yeah, now I'm back. I'm ready to go.” 

For PAULA, 'Dejot Vien' is deeply connected to self-confidence and the way dancing can become a form of survival. “It has helped me so much to feel better about myself,” she shared, adding that the song is about “choosing the right path and, you know, walking towards the things you want and the things, you know, you really know are gonna make you feel better.” 

She also teased the way that emotional progression will be reflected on stage. While she didn’t reveal the full staging, she made it clear the performance will mirror the song’s shift from pain into power.

The movement can be different… it can be slow and sensual… the start of the song is the heavy part… but then when it gets to the chorus, you know, you feel more powerful.

One of the strongest points PAULA made was her decision to compete in Latvian — something she sees as both meaningful and necessary. “I think Latvian language is charming, and we need more of it… honestly,” she said, explaining that she loves when artists sing in their native language because “it’s so interesting. And then you get to explore, you know, the meaning of it.” 

And for this particular song, she believes Latvian carries the emotion better than any translation could. “In Latvian language, the song sounds so real. But if I would, you know, translate it to English, it would maybe not hit as hard.” 

When asked about her songwriting habits, the artist described herself as structured and disciplined — but 'Dejot Vien' was a rare burst of pure inspiration. “I made this whole song in, like, eight hours… it was, like, super therapeutic,” she said. Even so, she still believes inspiration is something you can actively create: 

When you start doing anything, the inspiration will come. I always believe that.

She also revealed that the song she tried to write specifically for the contest didn’t make it through, while the one created naturally did. “This song… it just shows more of me and who I am as a person.” she explained. “Sometimes the things you really chase, are not meant for you.” 

Beyond the competition itself, PAULA seems grounded in connection rather than rivalry. “Definitely as friends,” she said about the other contestants. “I went into this flow state where I really just enjoy interacting with everybody and, you know, making new connections.” 

Still, she’s realistic about the scale of the moment. Supernova is her biggest stage so far, and she admitted she’s still building her team. “I’m mainly doing everything alone, and it’s not easy." 

In the end, 'Dejot Vien' is a personal statement. 

“It’s a reflection of my inner world in a way. I just want myself and other people to feel like they can… that that tomorrow will always be better.

And that might be exactly what makes her entry resonate: it doesn’t pretend healing is easy — it simply chooses to keep moving.

Watch the full interview: