With Greece confirmed for Eurovision 2017, talk has moved onto who their act will be. Reports have again surface that Helena Paparizou may again represent Greece at Eurovision, with the 2005 winner said to be in talks with broadcaster ERT.
The news was confirmed by Helena’s close friend and Greek television host Themis Georgantas. On a morning television show, he revealed that Helena was keen to again represent Greece at Eurovision, and was in talks with the broadcaster.
This isn’t the first time the Swedish-born Greek star has expressed interest in returning to the Eurovision stage. In July, Helena revealed that she was still open to Eurovision:
“I am a fan of the contest. And the Eurovision chapter is never going to close for me… I think the biggest proof of it was Melfest 2014. For years, people have been asking me, “Would you do Eurovision again?” and I always replied “No”… But there I was again… Back in 2000 with Antique, I said, “If the song is good, I’ll go”. The same applies now. If the song is good, I’ll go… That’s what happened with “Survivor”, I listened to the song and I said “I want this for my album”. They told me that I needed to go to Melodifestivalen if I wanted the song, and so I did.”
Helena has twice competed at Eurovision. She debuted in 2001 at the age of 19, as part of the duo Antique. Their song “(I Would) Die for You” placed third.
She returned as a solo artist in 2005, where her song “My Number One” comfortable won the competition and gave Greece its first Eurovision victory.
In 2014 she entered Melodifestivalen in her home country Sweden. Her song “Survivor” won the Andra Chansen duels stage and eventually placed fourth in the grand final.
If Helena did return to Eurovision, the odds wouldn’t be on her side — most returning Eurovision artists don’t improve on their original result, and only Johnny Logan has managed to win the competition twice.
Helena Paparizou isn’t the only high-profile Greek performer with their eye on Eurovision 2017. In June, it was revealed that pop singer Demy was in informal talks with songwriter and producer Dimitris Kontopoulos and choreographer extraordinaire Fokas Evaggelinos. Demy is already on the Eurovision radar, having recorded a Greek version of “If Love Was a Crime”.
What do you think? Should Greece select Helena Paparizou for Kyiv? Or should the honour go to a first-time act like Demy? Share your thoughts below!
Also, Johnny Logan won ESC mainly because in the old times it was 100% jury voted and his songs were good plus competition was easier for UK & Ireland due to the ‘only in official language’ rule. In today’s age its difficult though Carola did retry in 2005 and manage to finish 5th.
Despite the comments here “My Number One” was a massive sucess. It achieved top 10 in most countries and is still regarded as one of the best winners by many fans. It was the right song in the right time like so many winners. And just because you all haven’t heard anything from her doesn’t mean she hasn’t star appeal or anything. She’s still performing and having a career, really good one to that. This summer she had a Swedish tour with new and old material. That said, I don’t get people’s obsession over wanting artists back. She did it… Read more »
KennyESC
Errrrm, what the hell are you talking about ?
”(just watch her views in YouTube..)” Yeap, I’m watching them. Her 3 latest music videos hit almost 1.5 mil and she has 200 mil. views in total , more than every other greek artist.
”already not-good career” Says who? OH RIGHT SOME KENNY ON THE INTERNET
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elena_Paparizou
See ”Allocades”
Another number one? Hmm. o.O
Well, what can we say, I don’t see why bringin former eurovision winner to represent your country again when the winning is not guaranteed she can lose over her previous victory we will get to know the former winner becoming loser not a good idea not a good image, if you did well even won no need to bring that down, we know many stars came back and did worst some even stayed in semifinal, only Johnny Logan made historical double but that wasn’t guaranteed either he johnny could have failed as well but lucky that he won twice. Its… Read more »
@frau von storch
Are you from Germany? because if you really are, coming last on almost every eurovision the last years doesnt allow you talking about a country that since 2004 was in top 10 every year, won once, with 2 entries winning the semi final, and 2 coming third. Pllllease…
Greece has had a pretty successful run in the last 16 years.
Some of the song have been overrated: 2007,2009, 2010, 2011 (worst song EVER).
Some underrated: 2001 (Antique should have WON) and 2003 (Mando is surpisingly still my favorite Greek Entry).
the rest pretty much deserved what they got. A decent placing.
Helena’s return would be alright with a decent song but I don’t think she can win.
Mmmm…I like Helena a lot and it’s sad to see her musical career is thrown in the water(just watch her views in YouTube..)..but I don’t think ESC would boost it, instead making it worse. Yes, we are in Kiev again and all, but does that mean we have to send Helena again in Ukraine? :/ I think it will affect a lot her already not-good career, even if in a good place. Even if I’d like a lot Helena becoming Ms. Eurovision, I don’t think someone will repeat what Johnny Logan did. This era is sooooo different. I mean, just… Read more »
I hope she does not go. She had her turn … TWICE!! Let some other Greek artist have a shot.
Also, let’s be honest … 2005 was a relatively weak year, and “My Number One” does not hold up that well 10+ years later.
Admittedly, she’ll probably sing a very different song this time, but I can’t imagine it being that good of a song. All of Hellena’s recent songs have been tepid at best.
I kinda think Helena is really overrated, “My Number One” isn’t my type of song at all (I partly blame the era for that), but also I really didn’t like “Survivor” in Melodifestivalen. Hopefully if this is true she can pull off something better. However, I’d really prefer Eleni Foureira.
@ Eaftomou Krymmeno
I agree that Greece had good songs, and Germany is underrated, and also Greece 2016 is underrated (I don’t understand what is wrong with that song, even the rap part is melodic).
Charles, like “Frau” (from Germany) is another arrogant Greek-hater pretending to be searching for “relevant” and “captivating” music. If he would’ve mentioned at least one of the Greek entries from the years he allegedly enjoyed them, for being of high quality, though they weren’t so popular, I might’ve believed him, but, obviously, I don’t, because I cannot. Anything he would say after this post of mine, it would be too late …
Frau (von Storch from) Germany, Greece wasn’t any “overrated since 2001”, if that indirectly means to you that Germany would’ve been underrated, which I think it does. Greece’s entries since 2001 were, indeed, very good and totally deserved the places they were ranked on. Stop complaining!
@Frau von Storch: Fans have overrated the free alcoholic Greece since 2001 and Greece jumped onto that wagon willing to finally show some ego and confidence with their most rubbish ethnic-pop songs or mediocre boring ballads that again have been under the wings of love of so many fans for reasons beyond my understanding. There was a time when Greece was charming and elegant in the way they delivered their most ethnic songs before televoting arrived … then from 2001 it just went downhill in quality and uphill in popularity. Would I like to believe that this year’s missing out… Read more »
The obsession around this woman among the fans is so easily suffocating … if only she was really one hell of a vocalist instead of being just another random greep-swedish pop entertainer. These people are artists and they have careers to go back to and focus on … Eurovision is just one of the many parts of it but it’s not the only one that matters … She won once great … now let’s move on from that keep loving her music outside Eurovision and inside Eurovision focus on what’s to come and embrace it as much as possible …… Read more »
I wish to Helena Paparizou once again in Eurovision 2017.
Regards from Malta 🙂
It’s rarely a good idea to send returning artists, especially if they won. They got nothing to win but everything to lose. They won once already!
I suppose Greece will get 12 points from Sweden then. 🙂
with jury votes not a chance to win. she’s not good enough
Hopefully, she won’t pull an Ira Losco and go with a forgettable song.
I love Helena but I hope it’s Demy this time!
But if she finishes 5th in 2017 she will match Carola’s record (3rd on the first try, 1st on the second, 5th on the third)!
I like Greece, and I like grecian entries, unless those entries are summer hits … just to listen when you are on the beach. Don’t think Helena can do it anymore.