The Monegasque Delegation for the 51st Eurovision Song Contest has announced that 28-year-old Séverine Ferrer will represent the principality in Athens, with the song La coco-dance, which will be sung in French and Tahitian.

According to a press release circulated today, Séverine will perform the song co-written by J. Woodfeel and Iren Bo, and choreographed by Bruno Vandelli. The official video clip was recorded on 1st and 2nd March. The song was selected by the delegation before Christmas, and fans were told to expect an up-tempo, 'sunny' number for Athens. Despite earlier reports of a public casting selection in Monaco and Paris, it appears that the choice was also made internally.

Séverine spent her youth on the isle of La Réunion, where she quickly gained local celebrity status. In 1991, she and her family moved to Paris, where her career in show business really began to take shape. As well as roles in various TV shows, in 2004 she published her first book, the autobiographical Des étoiles plein la tête.

It is not the first time that the spirit of Tahiti has found a place on the Eurovision stage. Tahitian Jean Gabilou sang France to a very close third place in 1981 with the song Humanahum, performed in French. This will, however, be the first time that Tahitian has formed a major part of the lyrics of a Eurovision Song Contest entry.

Monaco made a comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 after a gap of 25 years, although after two participations the principality has yet to win a place in the international final, having failed to leave the qualifier round on both occasions. In Athens on 18th May, Séverine will be hoping to be the very first to do so.

Her name should give her hope. The only Monegasque Eurovision victory was obtained by Josiane Grizeau in 1971, she used the stagename Séverine and won in Dublin with the song Un banc, un arbre, une rue.