Suzy from Portugal: My new track will be out by the end of the year!

Suzy Guerra, the winner of Miss Congeniality at Eurovision 2014, isn’t resting on her laurels. She is out there working, performing and recording—and speaking to wiwibloggs! We recently caught up with her to find out when her next single will drop and what it was like to wow the crowds at the Eurovision Live Concert in Setútbal recently.

We were lucky enough to hear you sing in Setúbal. The audience was on its feet! What was it like performing in front of an audience of Portuguese Eurovision fans?

It was amazing to see that the feedback was super positive—not only from Portuguese Eurovision Fans, but also from my Portuguese colleagues!

At that event you covered Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix” and Pastora Soler’s “Quedate Conmigo”. Do you prefer power ballads to dance songs?

I don’t have a preference. It’s all about what the song makes you feel and what it means to you. Of course, normally, ballads enable you to show more of your vocal range and interpretation than up tempo songs, but I like both!

Earlier this year you told us your album would be out by the end of the year. Is everything still on track?

I decided not to rush. I have to learn how to be patient, because good projects take time and I really need to identify with the project…but yes, I am working on a track that hopefully will be released before the end of the year!

That’s great. We cannot wait to download it! Speaking more generally, has your life changed since the Eurovision Song Contest 2014?

Of course, my life suffered a huge change! I’m not living in Dubai anymore and in June I was suppose to be working in the Pharmaceutical Business in Dubai, and now, I am living in Lisbon and working as a full-time solo artist and singer.

What has Eurovision given to you?

The possibility to live from what I love to do, which is singing and making others feel happy or pleased by listening to me! It’s a very altruistic profession, I can say, especially nowadays and according to the economic crises in Portugal. Eurovision has also given me the knowledge of how the Eurovision fans can uplift you and how much they are dedicated to you!

What did it mean to represent your country at Eurovision?

It meant a dream come true, a huge honour and at the same time a huge responsability!

When did you start watching Eurovision?

Since I am a baby…When there were only two TV channels!

What’s your favorite Eurovision entry?

That is one difficult question. I can’t be specific. I like “Euphoria” by Loreen and so many others. And of course, “Quero Ser Tua” [Laughing]

Who are your musical influences?

My musical influences in terms of vocals are Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Anastacia, Dulce Pontes, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Bette Midler. I used to do vocal exercises by singing their songs to improve my vocal range when I was a child! In terms of style of music, I go from Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Portished, Joss Stone, Michael Nyman, Yann Tiersen…so many! I wouldn’t call them influences, but artist that I like to hear.

What are your future plans?

Being able to do what I love…recording an album and launch it internationally, be part of musicals, be a TV host…I have some goals, everything related to media and arts.

Do you have a special message for the readers of wiwibloggs?

Continue to support the old and the upcoming Eurovision singers, because we just want to be able to live from music!

Thanks for the interview and good luck Suzy!

Thank you!

Photo: Courtesy of Suzy Guerra