Born in 1981, Aline grew up in an artistic family: her mother Salwa Katrib is a famous singer, her father Nahi Lahoud a well-known producer and her uncle Romeo Lahoud, one of the most famous musical directors and composers in the Arab world.

24 years later, Aline Lahoud will be on stage of the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Lebanon in its first participation. Aline will be singing Quand tout s'enfuit, a song written by Jad Rahbani and Romeo Lahoud. To get to know them better, esctoday.com had an interview with Aline Lahoud and Jad Rahbani.

How come Aline Lahoud will be representing Lebanon at the Eurovision Song Contest?

Jad: Well, Aline has great talent and she represented Lebanon at the Mediterranean Song Contest last year in Turkey where she had great success. The participants in Megahit and the organizers were impressed by her talent and very nice character. Since Aline won the Fidof prize, Télé Liban and the committee in Lebanon thought that she was placed best to represent our country in its first Eurovision Song Contest participation.

What was your reaction when you were approached to represent Lebanon? Did you watch the Eurovision Song Contest before? Do you have any favourite songs, singers or memories?

Aline: When I heard that I was going to represent my country in the Eurovision Song Contest, I felt scared and happy as well. The Eurovision Song Contest is one of my biggest dreams. I have surely watched this big contest before and I still remember when Italy won in 1990. Insieme by Toto Cutugno was my favourite.

In December last year, Télé Liban suddenly announced to withdraw from a participation. Can you explain what happened and how it all turned out well in the end?

Jad: We are not the right people to answer this question. I think Télé Liban is better placed to answer this and actually we don't really know what happened. But we are happy that everything turned out well and that we are in.

In September 2004 you represented Lebanon in Megahit with the song It's over, written by Jad Rahbani. Do you feel like, beside being a singer, also being an ambassador for your country?

Aline: When I went to Turkey to participate in Megahit 2004, it was a big responsibility. Representing my country made me a kind of ambassador and it helped me in discovering new cultures. This experience was great and I will always remember it…