Lisa Jayne Porter (née Large; 22 December 1987), better known by the stage name Lisa Andreas, is an English singer, dancer and artist, best known for representing Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Stronger Every Minute".
Lisa Andreas | |
|---|---|
 Lisa Andreas during a rehearsal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul | |
| Born | Lisa Large 22 December 1987 |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Kent, England |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Early life edit
Andreas was born in England to a British father and Greek Cypriot mother. She was christened in Cyprus, where she lived for two-and-a-half years, before moving with her family to Gillingham.[1][2]
She attended Chatham Grammar School for Girls.[3] She graduated from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a bachelor's degree in Voice and Musical Theatre.[4][5]
Career edit
At the age of 13, Andreas began performing as a solo artist, singing mainly in pubs and karaoke competitions; winning one held at The Strand in Gillingham, Kent.[3][6]
On January 26, 2004, it was announced that Andreas had been selected to compete in the Cypriot national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Stronger Every Minute".[7] She later went on to win the competition with 96 points, earning her the right to represent the country at the contest.[8] Following her selection, the song, which featured one line in Greek, was reworked to be performed entirely in the English language.[9] In Istanbul, she performed 14th during the semi-final and qualified for the grand final, where she later placed 5th overall with a total of 170 points.[10][11]
Following her participation, Andreas joined a female hip-hop dance troupe, performing at the London Palladium and Her Majesty's Theatre. She later worked as a teacher at a dance school.[12]
In 2007, she participated in the fourth series of The X Factor, where she advanced to the second round.[13]
Personal life edit
In 2014, she moved to Tucson, Arizona, where she currently resides with her family.[4][5]
References edit
- ^ Bakker, Sietse (5 April 2004). "An interview with Lisa Andreas!". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Kent girl is Cyprus Eurovision star". BBC News. 22 February 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Top five for Kent Eurovision girl". BBC News. 16 May 2004. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ a b Argyriou, Giannis (29 June 2021). "Lisa Andreas: "Never Say Never" to a Eurovision comeback for Cyprus!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Meet Lisa Jayne Porter | Artist, Singer, Dancer, Actor, Writer". Shoutout Arizona. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Delaney, Sean (16 May 2020). "Eurovision 2020: Kent's winners, flops and other odd entries at Europe's greatest song contest including Bucks Fizz and Blue". Kent Online. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Christodoulides, Louis (26 January 2004). "Cyprus announces national final candidates". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Barak, Itamar (17 February 2004). "Lisa Andreas will represent Cyprus in Turkey". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (6 May 2004). "Lisa: "Politics shouldn't be involved"". ESCToday. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Semi-Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Grand Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "Lisa Andreas (Cyprus 2004) speaks to ogaespain.com". OGAE Spain (in Spanish). 13 July 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Yazıcıtunc, Gunec Gulun (6 January 2021). "Eurovision 2004: Cyprus' Lisa Andreas in focus". EuroVisionary. Retrieved 14 April 2024.