'These three are just the nicest, humblest, most hard-working girls you'll ever meet' - Cannock voice coach is backing her Eurovision trio Remember Monday to go all the way
A Cannock singing teacher is bursting with pride after her former pupils Remember Monday made it to the Eurovision Song Contest finals.
Vocal coach, musical director and former Hairspray actress, Jenii Luperi mentored country & western trio Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele who formed the band 12 years ago before making it to the quarter final of TV talent show The Voice six years later.
Now they are hoping to turn around the UK's Eurovision fortunes with their catchy tune 'What The Hell Just Happened?' at the glittering televised finals in Basel, Switzerland in May.
Mrs Luperi, aged 40, formerly Jenii Hicks, sang the praises of the gorgeous gals whom she said nailed their vocals on the demanding track due to being "so naturally talented".
The former pupil of Kingsmead School in Kings Avenue, in Hednesford, who went on to become a musical theatre actress in her own right and was in the original West End cast of Hairspray, taught them when she worked in Hampshire later on. She explained that at the time she was able to help them to crack the challenges of breaking into the industry.
"I was their performing arts teacher at The Sixth Form College Farnborough. They were also in a musical theatre company I ran called MTC. They were with me from 16-18-years-old before they went to drama school.
"I think that’s one of the reasons why the girls and I bonded so well because they were aiming for drama school and I was in a position to support them through that."
She described their entry song as having a musical theatre and country vibe with "a splash of Eurovision pop"."It's catchy and you'll be singing it all week. It will drive you crazy in the best possible way.
"Any live performance they do, they will be spot on every single time because they're so good at what they do. UK we are in safe hands. They are going to deliver. They do every time because they are so good and have worked so hard for so long."
She also recounted how she often had to track down telling them, "Remember, it's Monday, we have class," a phrase which has now inspired the group's name.
"I'm so thrilled. These three are just the nicest, humblest, most hard-working girls you'll ever meet," she added.
Stagecoach Walsall posted on social media network Instagram: "We are so delighted to hear that @remembermonday_ will be the United Kingdom’s 2025 Eurovision entry, competing in Switzerland!
"But did you know that all three band members, Lauren, Holly-Anne and Charlotte all have something in common with all of the students @stagecoachwalsall? They were all taught by our very own super talented Stagecoach Walsall teacher, Jenii!!"
"We were simply bursting with pride - congratulations and best of luck @laurenbyrne95 @hollyannehull @charlottesteele08- we are all rooting for you with Jenii and can’t wait to see how amazing you will inevitably do!"
Meanwhile the group said it was "a crazy honour" to represent the UK. "We're going to bring loads of fun, energy and hopefully do something that you won't have seen before on the Eurovision stage," they added.
The Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland May 13 and 17.
