Junior English major Niya Omiridis knew she wanted to be a singer since kindergarten. Now, at 20 years old, Omiridis will be performing at the Sing for Greece 2026 semifinal with her original song, “Slipping Away.”
Omiridis will compete live on stage in Athens, Greece, on Feb. 11, the first section of the semifinal, in hopes of winning a spot to represent her country in the Eurovision Song Contest in May.
“Eurovision matters because it gives an opportunity to people that don’t necessarily have labels behind them or the means to be doing music,” Omiridis said. “Eurovision provides a safe space for you to express yourself and to share your music and to get heard.”
Omiridis sent in “Slipping Away” as an unfinished demo to the competition. Out of around 300 songs, 28 advanced to semifinals. 14 acts, seven from each semifinal, will advance to the grand final on Feb. 15. Her song, released by ERT on YouTube Jan. 17, the channel which broadcasts Eurovision in Greece, reflects on change and acceptance.
“There’s a moment in life where you realize that you’ve outgrown everything around you, and that if you stayed there, you wouldn’t be true to yourself,” Omiridis said. “(‘Slipping Away’ is) about self awareness and accepting yourself and understanding that the truth can be uncomfortable, but that you need to allow yourself to speak and feel and live in those emotions instead of fighting them.”
To ensure that she still graduates on time, Omiridis enrolled in online courses this semester, allowing her to live in Greece while still working on her English degree. Omiridis said she hopes to one day become an entertainment lawyer, as well as continuing her music career. Omiridis’ mom, Patricia, said she looks forward to seeing what Omiridis accomplishes musically and academically.
“I feel very positive for her, and I really hope that she comes out on a very strong path toward what she wants in her goals,” Patricia said.
Back in Austin, Omiridis’ close friend, junior English major Samantha Jansen, continues to support Omiridis and said she feels excited for Omiridis no matter the outcome.
“This is one of those opportunities that will bring connections and continue to fuel her passion for singing and getting to share her music with people,” Jansen said. “I know for her, people connecting to her music and singing and the lyrics and just the whole experience of listening is really important.”
The semifinal will be livestreamed by ERT at 1 p.m. The performance will also be available on YouTube following the broadcast.
“I just hope that even if it’s just one person out of the crowd that’s feeling either lost or stuck or pressured to be something that they’re not, that either (hearing ‘Slipping Away’) is a strength point for them to move forward and do what they want, or that it makes them feel seen a little bit,” Omiridis said. “That’s all I want with my music, is (for) somebody to feel listened to and heard.”
