On 4 March, Romania will select its six finalists during its sole semi-final in Baia Mare ahead of the national final on 6 March. You’ve had several days to listen to the 12 semi-finalists, and now you have the chance to choose your six favourites. Who should qualify for Selectia Nationala 2016 final?
But who are the 12 semi-finalists? Let’s meet them before you cast your vote in the poll below!
1. Xandra – “Superhuman”
With over 70 awards at national and international singing festivals, Alexandra Sipos, alias Xandra, is making her first attempt to represent her country at Eurovision. Her most prestigious achievement was winning first place at Festivalul Mamaia 2012 (think a Romanian Festivali i Këngës) when she was 16. Xandra is 20 now and ready to take over Europe.
2. Andra Olteanu – “Nai Nai”
Not to be confused with Romania’s pop superstar Andra, Miss Olteanu is largely unknown to the general public. However her Eurovision bid has gathered a lot of support especially from foreign fans due to its ethnic flair and instrumentation. And she wrote the song herself!
3. Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – “The Voice”
Doru is the hunky singer of highly popular Romanian duo Deepcentral (they had a single with SunStroke Project and one with Eleftheria as well!) and Irina is the gorgeous soprano who stole the show as a guest on The Voice of Romania in 2014. In 2016, the sexy pair aims to steal the show at Selectia Nationala with “The Voice”, which they wrote together.
4. Dream Walkers – “Let It Shine”
The four-member boy band was especially formed for Eurovision. You may remember Cristian Prajescu from Selectia Nationala 2013. The songwriter is Cristian Faur, who penned such Eurovision anthems like Luminita Anghel and Sistem’s “Let Me Try” and Cezar’s “It’s My Life”. Will Cristian win Selectia Nationala once again?
5. Florena – “Behind The Shadows”
Florena Ticu Sandru is the youngest Romanian semi-finalist. She is only 16 but she is one of the fan favourites, thanks to her power ballad and powerful voice. Florena was a serious contender on X Factor Romania 2013 and she aims to be a winner at Selectia Nationala 2016.
6. Gasca De Acasa – “Tu esti povestea” (You are the story)
Gasca De Acasa was the fortunate act who replaced the unfortunate Hayley Evetts, who had to withdraw because of health issues. Gasca De Acasa, the replacement semi-finalist act, is a cover band formed in 2011. They are a cover band, but “Tu esti povestea” (You are the story) is an original cafe-concert type of ballad.
7. Irina Popa – “Lasa-ma, eu te las”
Another Festivalul Mamaia winner (in 2008), Irina is an experienced singer who usually performs alongside her band The Sinners, but remains virtually unknown in Romania. She hopes to change all that in Baia Mare. She initially entered the Romanian version “Lasa-ma eu te las” , but eventually decided to switch to the English version instead.
8. Jukebox – “Come On Everybody”
The eight-strong band have just left the hugely popular Cronica Carcotasilor (a TV show that parodies other shows and makes fun on politicians’ and newscasters’ blunders). Their Selectia Nationala proposal is a Romglish song with virtually untranslatable lyrics and very Romanian culture-specific humour. Who will stay at home if they win?
9. Mihai Bajinaru – “Never Too Late”
Mihai Bajinaru rose to relative fame in 2013, with a short stint on The Voice of Romania. He sings a love ballad written by Andrei Tudor, the man behind 2015 runner up — and winner of our Wiwi Jury — Luminita Anghel’s “A Million Stars”. Can “Never Too Late” win this year instead? Never say never with Selectia Nationala!
10. M I H A I – “Paradisio”
What else can be said about the man, the legend, the artist formerly known as Mihai Traistariu who insists on being called M I H A I? After the backlash following his science-fiction video fiasco, M I H A I has a new video in the works and a “genius” staging for Selectia Nationala. Don’t say you’re not looking forward to it. He might sue.
11. Ovidiu Anton – “Moment of Silence”
The third placed act of Selectia Nationala 2015 has written a song that is stirring a lot of emotion among Romanians, because of the club fire in Bucharest that killed over 60 people and toppled a government last autumn. “Moment of Silence” may be his best bid yet, but is Ovidiu popular enough to win this year? Only time will tell.
12. Vanotek feat. The Code & Georgian – “I’m Coming Home”
Hayley Evetts is not the only foreign act this year. Vanotek is Ion Chirinciuc and hails from the Republic of Moldova, but now mainly works and performs in Romania. His previous single “My Heart Is Gone” was a huge radio hit last year, so he’s bound to kill it again with “I’m Coming Home”, but can he win it, too?
So there you have it! On 4 March, the TVR jury will select four acts to advance to the final, while televoters will save two more acts — and then the winner will be chosen by televoting alone on 6 March.
But until then, who are your six faves? You can vote for as many acts as you want until 3 March. The results will be published on 4 March, ahead of the semi-final, so be sure to tune back in!
[polldaddy poll=9309712]Thank you for voting! Now let us know how you voted and defend your choice below!
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Photo: TVR
Having listened to all of the songs my top 3 prediction is (no particular order):
Ovidiu Anton
M I H A I
Andra Olteanu
Ovidiu Anton: Moment of Silence – a chance that Romania goes straight up my top 5 at least. How some national finals have left, I am afraid, but still hopeful.
Florena all the way!!!! I listened to the song for the first time an hour ago, and it’s been on repeat since then! And I don’t know when I will able to stop! This song is gorgeous!!!!
Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – despite the wonderful voices, the song is NOT at all ESC tailored, so… sorry!
Vanotek – great song, great voices, all seems good, but it’s not enough for ESC.
Ovidiu Anton – Europe is TIRED of hearing such songs in the last 10 years, sorry.
Mihai (paradisio) – doesn’t step out of old templetes.
Andra (Nai Nai) – very catchy song, brilliant ethnic sound, perfect voice and a lot of energy: this one deserves to go to Sweden.
The rest is obsolete.
Florena <3
Though I can never predict winners. Last year 'Superman' was my winner and Voltaj went to Eurovision, so I hope Florena fares better
Nai nai !!
top5 for sure
Ovidiu has the best song, a really god song. Paradisio is overrated, his song is made to fit the Eurovision overused typic.Doesn t make us feel anything
<3 M I H A I – Paradisio. The only of the 12 who has a good chanse of making a great result in Eurovision !!!
There are some other good songs but none of them suited for contest !!
Superhuman! <3
I like Ovidiu Anton – “Moment of Silence”. Then Florena.
They don’t have great songs lately…. Their best were Luminita and Sistem.
1. Florena – “Behind the Shadows”
2. Ovidiu Anton – “Moment of Silence”
3. Andra Olteanu – “Nai Nai”
4. Xandra – “Superhuman”
5. Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – “The Voice”
Nice to know that Paradisio isn’t leading the poll.
paradisio is the only song.
vote for mihai.
After rejecting of Otilia this year in the ESC is to forget. Not any Mihai and not any technology will help. This is sad true.
I’M COMING HOME. It sounds really good, current and I see it at Eurovision perfectly.
They’re all horrible, but I guess I’d pick Florena. Romania will probably struggle this year.
Finally a pool in which Mihai can’t buy votes 🙂
6.Mihai/Andra 5. Doru Tudorut&Irina Baiant 4.Vanotek 3.Xandra 2.Florena 1.Ovidiu
6. Xandra-Superhuman. Not a great song, but listenable and maybe better than other six entries. 5. Florena-Behind the Shadows. The orchestric part is absolutely genious, but what she sings doesn’t fit the music very well. It didn’t impress me that much. 4. Irina Popa-Lasa-ma, eu te las. The song is really good, good voice, nice melody. If she somehow wins, it would be a crime to change the language. The only bad part, maybe a too calm song, I wouldn’t see it on a high position at the grand contest. 3. Mihai-Paradisio. Poor song, but let’s admit that his vocals… Read more »
1. Florena – “Behind The Shadows”
2. Vanotek feat. The Code & Georgian – “I’m Coming Home”
3. Andra Olteanu – “Nai Nai”
4. Ovidiu Anton – “Moment of Silence”
5. M I H A I – “Paradisio”
I only can stand Vanotek.
Vanotek or nai nai the rest are awful
Cannot resist Mihai.
I like Dream Walkers and there are apparently two other people in the world who do, too.
My Final 6 for Selectia Nationala: 1. Vanotek – They seem to be the only ones who brought something new to the table for Selectia Nationala and if they win, they’d be likely to bring Romania into the Top 10. 2. Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – The song may not be that powerful lyrically but their voices make up for it – especially Irina’s vocals. This duo is the closest we’ll get to OPS in terms of one of the vocalists being able to hit high pitches. 3. Ovidiu Anton – His song is how “Hope Never Dies” would… Read more »