Today, in a press conference in Bucharest, Romanian broadcaster TVR has unveiled the 12 semi-finalist acts of Selectia Nationala 2016. Apart from the expected names of Mihai Traistariu and Ovidiu Anton, most of the other acts selected by an expert jury are newcomers to the national selection.

Here is the list of the 12 acts that are advancing to the sole semi-final on 4 March, from a pool of 90 submissions:

Xandra – “Superhuman”

Andra Olteanu – “Nai Nai”

Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – “The Voice”

Dream Walkers – “Let It Shine”

Florena – “Behind The Shadows”

Hayley Evetts – “Brand New Day”

Irina Popa – “Lasa-ma, eu te las”

Jukebox – “Come On Everybody”

Mihai Bajinaru – “Never Too Late”

M I H A I – “Paradisio”

Ovidiu Anton – “Moment of Silence”

Vanotek feat. The Code & Georgian – “I’m Coming Home”

The most notable absentees from this list are Ramona Nerra, who was a fan favourite, as well as Otilia, Sara Serena, Alex Mica and Cristina Vasiu. TVR has also published the list of songs that were rejected, together with their score.

The 12 selected acts will batte it out in the Semi-final on 4 March, when four songs will be saved by the jury and two by the televoters. The six finalists will confront at the National Final on 6 March, when the winner will bechosen exclusively by televote.

What do you think about Romania’s picks for Selectia Nationala? Who are you rooting for?

READ MORE ROMANIA EUROVISION NEWS

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Eric
Eric
8 years ago

Brand new Day
Paradisio
Never too late

Daniel
Daniel
8 years ago

Romania has a great music scene, but you wouldn’t guess that from this selection of songs… I guess the really good performers aren’t interested in ESC. Too bad….

SorinRad
SorinRad
8 years ago

Ovidiu is the best for ESC 2016!!

John
John
8 years ago
Angel
8 years ago

1. I’M COMING HOME: It’s the only one which sounds like a 2016’s song. It’s original and easy to listen to.

2. SUPERHERO: It sounds like other good entries of the past but it could have chances.

3. NAI NAI: It remain me of past eurovision entries but it plays with current sounds. It’s ok.

4. MOMENT OF SILENCE: Good rock song and good chorus.

Mihaela Florea
Mihaela Florea
8 years ago

MIHAI + PARADISIO = SUCCES

Brian
Brian
8 years ago

This is going down as the weakest pre Eurovision season of all time.

Shijie Yu
Shijie Yu
8 years ago

Andra Olteanu – “Nai Nai” for the win

Roxy
Roxy
8 years ago

Mihai con Paradisio
A una voce super tare ed è fatto per Eurovision dal Italia ai 12 punti.

Mihaela Florea
Mihaela Florea
8 years ago

Paradisio -Mihai Traistariu – o voce ?i o piesa de 12 puncte ! Mihai poate fi ambasadorul României la Stockholm !

Mihaela Florea
Mihaela Florea
8 years ago

1.Paradisio – Mihai Traistariu
2.Superhuman -X andra
3.Behind the shadows – Florena

Guzun Darren
Guzun Darren
8 years ago

I see PARADISIO winning in Stockholm. Send MIHAI. The best song by far.

Soare Cristina
Soare Cristina
8 years ago

1. Paradisio – Mihai Traistariu
2. Never tot late – Mihai Bajinaru
3. Moment of si lene – Ovidiu Anton

Calum Macleod
Calum Macleod
8 years ago

Robyn Gallagher,

Well, it was the lead singer of ELO who made the song.

Tom
Tom
8 years ago

Disappointing selection to be honest (and this is coming from a Romanian) but at least there are some quality songs from Florena, Ovidiu Anton, and Xandra. Most of the others, and especially regarding the lyrics, are really cringeworthy and cliché. I hope we will choose maturely this time.

bastian
bastian
8 years ago

Very bad selection to be honest. Low quality, predictable…they obviously do not want to win. Im just shocked. I expected something stronger and more modern.

Hugh
Hugh
8 years ago

Romania are improving. I’m enjoying ‘Moment of Silence’, ‘I’m Coming Home’, and ‘Nai Nai’; they all feel a bit 2008 but good quality 2008. No winner in the bunch but given it’s Romania, should be seeing them in the final pretty much whoever they send. The only one I couldn’t make it through was ‘Never Too Late’, so they’re ahead of Moldova, Malta, Belarus, and Lithuania on that scale at least.

Héctor
Héctor
8 years ago

When I’ve listened “Behind the shadows” by Florena, I’ve thought this could be a good year for Romania, but hearing the others songs it has turned in almost the only one I like.

On the other side, while listening to “Moments of Silence” by Ovidiu, it automatically reminded me to a song I’ve heard before. Remembering and searching some past entries, it has turned out to have a strong resemblance to “We Could Be The Same” by MANGA. In quality, MaNGa is miles ahead, but clearly Ovidiu is inspired by it; in fact, the final is almost the same.

Julian
Julian
8 years ago

Lots of unknown, hope they test them singing live, those who can’t should be replaced. Those who are surely good: Doru and Irina, Mihai, Ovidiu are 100% in final.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
8 years ago

Well, it’s all up to Romanians to decide this time. And let’s see if they really want to win or they are going to choose another cliche song. They have a song in the Selectia Nationala which really could even win in Stockholm, and I see it as the only one from the national contest. So, in my opinion Ovidiu Anton is the only choice who could do it, powerful song, great voice, most probably a great show and a strong message. Mihai, great voice and impressive notes, but weak song. Vanotek, not bad in the first 40 seconds, but… Read more »

STEFAN
STEFAN
8 years ago

MIHAI PARADISO!

DanyDanielle
DanyDanielle
8 years ago

!-Mihai Traistariu-PARADISIO
2-Doru Todorut – The Voice
3-Xandra– “SUPERHUMAN”
4-Ovidiu Anton – MOMENT OF SILENCE

Silvie Avila
Silvie Avila
8 years ago

Mihai Paradisio!

Aaron
Aaron
8 years ago

We’re going to need some visuals to make these interesting. The only ones I could get to the end of are Irina Popa (pretty) and Vanotek (icy cool).

DanyDanielle
DanyDanielle
8 years ago

!-Mihai Traistariu-PARADISIO
2-Doru Todorut – The Voice
3-Xandra– “SUPERHUMAN”
4-Ovidiu Anton – MOMENT OF SILENCE

XANDRA – “SUPERHUMAN”

ANDRA OLTEANU – “NAI NAI”

DORU TODORUT FEAT. IRINA BAIANT – “THE VOICE”

DREAM WALKERS – “LET IT SHINE”

Kirsten
Kirsten
8 years ago

1. Xandra – Superhuman
2. Andra Olteanu – Nai Nai
3. Florena – Behind the Shadows
4. Mihai – Paradisio
5. Dream Walkers – Let it Shine
6. Irina Popa – Lasa-ma, eu te las

MrGeorpey
MrGeorpey
8 years ago

What is this? … I don’t even care who they send to Stockholm.

MarioMario
8 years ago

Vanotek has the coolest song. Very understated and modern. The rest are very obvious.

adrianauk
adrianauk
8 years ago

XANDRA – “SUPERHUMAN” is composed by an english song writter

adrianauk
adrianauk
8 years ago

@EugeneESCUK Yes is from UK plus a english song writter who wrote a song for one of these selected.

Petar
8 years ago

F**k this. Ramona is much better than all of them.

We love Paula Seling
We love Paula Seling
8 years ago

What the f*#k, normally i dont care so much, but how in the world they reject Ramona’s song, but they select minimum 5 bullshit songs?!?
WHAT THE F##K!!!!!

GET REAL ROMANIA.

Anyway, what was done was done, Vanotek to win or Doru & Irina.

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

Everything shows that pseudo-experts grabbed the ESC and deliberately destroy it. Previously there were no problems with the best entries. If someone turned out to be weak, this simply losing. Now pseudo-experts want to be smarter and they are convinced, that if someone has the potential, this must be stupid guise. However, in reality these “experts” are stupid.

MrJoggy (BEL)
MrJoggy (BEL)
8 years ago

My finalists:

1- Andra Olteanu – Nai Nai
2 – Mihai Traistariu – Paridisio
3- Xandra – Superhuman
4- Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – The Voice
5- Florena – Behind The Shadows
6- Mihai B?jinaru – Never Too Late

WTF
WTF
8 years ago

Just send Ovidiu and be done with it…

Sparrow
Sparrow
8 years ago

Oh well at least Romania is constant in being average.
“Behind the Shadows” and “I’m coming Home” are the only songs that aren’t cringe worthy.

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

Where is Otilia?
Not impressed overall.

meeks
meeks
8 years ago

ANDRA OLTEANU – “NAI NAI”

this has to go to stockholm.

Kratos
Kratos
8 years ago

Goood songs Romania can win Eurovision this year:) I like Florena,Ovidiu,Vanotek,Mihai.

Kell
Kell
8 years ago

Hayley Events was in UK Pop Idol in 2001 and UK X Factor in 2012, I wonder what her connection is to Romania or if it was just a lucky shot in the dark. Also Georgian will have to change their name if they go to Stockholm lol 🙂

flok
flok
8 years ago

Ovidiu FTW!!!

Leaf
Leaf
8 years ago

Whoever they send they will qualify….. I am not even gonna bother to listen to the songs.

Tho the days of “Tornero”, “Let me try”, “Playing with Fire” and “Zaleah” are long gone I can see Romania kinda loosing interest in the contest.

Ian D
Ian D
8 years ago

This selection has a bunch of decent songs. Romania would clearly qualify for the final with most of them.
My Top 5:
1 – Florena
2 – Xandra
3 – Irina Popa
4 – M I H A I
5 – Ovidiu

picpic
picpic
8 years ago

vanotek 100%!

MGR
MGR
8 years ago

Maybe Otilia will be in 2nd semi final.

MTD
MTD
8 years ago

Xandra to an extent…Vanotek or Andra Olteanu. I’ll vote for Andra though. What a piece of sh*t is this selection? Romania has a great music scene. I guess these are the bottom choices within any production company over there.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
8 years ago

Dream Walkers is 1990’s GREATNESS!

No Name
No Name
8 years ago

How horrible that a song like “Brand New Day” made It through and not Otilias song..

Qppe
Qppe
8 years ago

Vanotek!
The best.