He’s the blonde haired beauty following in the footsteps of Barei and Edurne in representing Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest. But as well as being a guitar-strumming singer-songwriter, Manel Navarro doubles up as a diplomat, especially when responding to the politics at play in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. 

In an interview with the UK’s OK! magazine, the Spanish singer was quizzed about two issues raising question marks about politics at Eurovision this year: Brexit and Ukraine’s decision to ban Julia Samoylova‘s entry to the country, over her illegal performances in annexed Crimea in 2015.

On Brexit Navarro is clear: “It’s just about the music, I don’t think Brexit will matter.”

As for tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the singer was keen to point out how sensitive the situation is, saying: “I’m a musician, not a politician. But I know there is a conflict between Russia and Ukraine.”

His solution?

“It’s something they have to resolve. Music has to be the priority.”  Unfortunately on the subject of Russia’s participation at Eurovision 2017, a resolution appears increasingly unlikely.

As for Brexit, Navarro’s suggestions will be music to concerned UK fans’ ears. Infamously, Jemini’s nil points has been attributed to UK participation in the Iraq War (ignoring the poor vocal, poor performance and poorer song). On Brexit he may, however, have a point: Not every country participating at Eurovision is a member of the EU.

MANEL NAVARRO ON LUCIE JONES

Navarro also took time out in the interview to talk about his London Eurovision Party duet partner Lucie Jones, who will sing for the UK at the grand final on May 13.

“She’s awesome, a really good artist, with an amazing voice.”

He had equally positive things to say about her entry — the ballad “Never Give Up On You”.

“It’s one of the biggest competitors this year.”

Manel will perform “Do It For Your Lover” during the Grand Final on May 13.

What’s your take on Brexit and the UK at Eurovision? Do you think it will affect results? Let us know in the comments below!

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23 Comments
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DyGh
DyGh
6 years ago

Why would it affect the contest? The average Eurovision fan doesn’t think about something like that when the voting starts. And doing so means it gets even more political than the Ukraine v Russia incident.

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
6 years ago

You know that gibraltar is UK, right? they cant participate in the ESC on their own. Thought that may change in 2 years…

Hopefully the international nationts will respect wherever the gibraltar people decide for themselfs and their future, not like is happening in Crimea, where people voted being Russian in 2014 and still, in 2017, noone but them and russia respect it… Hipocrit world… Crimeans wanted (by a 92% of the cotes on the referendum) to be Russian, and the whole world pass and dont respect their decissions.

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
6 years ago

Just a reminder: Manel is like a child, with little experience in both music and life. In addition, he is a liar and a corrupt. If he said Brexit won’t affect the UK’s performance at Eurovision 2017, probabbly that means that either he has no clue at all about what he is talking about (he just want to get “extrafriendly” with lucie, which actually he has tried in many ways since day 1), or he is just plain wrong and brexit will affect uk. And actually i agree that brexit wont affect uk’s performance… But im sure it will affect… Read more »

Mar
Mar
6 years ago

lol so basically he had nothing worthwhile or interesting to say.
Maybe the Brexit won’t hurt the UK too much, but it definitely won’t help either.

Gibraltar for Es c
Gibraltar for Es c
6 years ago

@I love the monkey/ How true it is .LoL

Gibraltar for Esc
Gibraltar for Esc
6 years ago

OMG Former Miss World winner has been elected the Mayor of Gibraltar . Wish one day Gibraltar will participate ESC.I love Gibraltar .

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

@2017rules: Slovenia’s song may be bad, but it’s still catchier than the UK’s. And unlike the UK, Slovenia is not lucky enough to be pre-qualified.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Asking a 20-year kid musician what do he think about Brexit and Russia-Ukraine thing?.. interesting

2017rules
2017rules
6 years ago

racal search up Omar Naber On my Way you’ll be in for a surprise you child

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

He’s completely right and I also think the UK might surprise.

Glitzy Rant
Glitzy Rant
6 years ago

Brexit or not, UK will be whining on the bottom of the scoring bord

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

*I would have, not and would have.

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

To be honest, even if I had liked the UK entry, and would have thought twice before voting for it (I mean, the UK did give the finger to the whole continent with this Brexit bullsh*t)… In any case, I think the UK entry is one of the blandest this year: problem solved.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

This time, I think his every word was spot on. Great to see the support for Lucie. She needs to be placed well in the grand finals.

Toinousse
Toinousse
6 years ago

Seriously, I was disappointed by Brexit, but it has absolutely nothing to do with Lucy and eurovision. I couldn’t care less about brexit in this context. Moreover, not all british population choosed this.

Phénix
Phénix
6 years ago

Manel well responded ! For the poor results the UK just need to read Polegend Godgarina’s comment.

Paul D.
Paul D.
6 years ago

Breaking news: Russia out of the contest, the channel won’t broadcast the show

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

With most other hosts, Brexit might factor, but in Ukraine (a country that aren’t in the EU and haven’t indicated making steps towards membership despite moving westwards with foreign policy) it won’t. Furthermore, Lucie benefits from the whole Yulia (and Russia) vs. Ukrainian security services fiasco, as commentators will focus on that rather than her. Considering that this is one the UK’s best efforts in recent years, and the first performer they’ve sent in the last 15 years who currently has a successful career in entertainment (even if it’s in musical theatre rather than straight up singing), not an upstart… Read more »

Boothy
Boothy
6 years ago

I don’t believe Brexit will affect the UK’s result. With Lucies voice, emotion in her performance and the song, I genuinely think this will be the UK’s best result for the past several years. Top 10 would be brilliant, but I do think people still penalize the UK for whatever personal reason – look at Molly in 2014 – absolutely deserved a place on the left hand side of the scoreboard! I’m hoping for a 10th-15th finish. I believe the Juries will place us 8th-12th and the Televote 12th-17th! Good Luck Lucie!!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

He’s right about both things. No one here thinks worse of the UK because of Brexit and, unlike many British fans think, Europe doesn’t hate their country. Their poor showings at the Eurovision are more related to the quality of their entries.

velorin
velorin
6 years ago

Lol who asked him ?