Seven acts will perform one track each during the final of Eurosong 2023 — Belgium’s selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. For five days, our readers have been voting for their favourites — and the results are in.
After counting 1,708 votes, we can now confirm that Chérine has topped our poll with 835 votes — or nearly 49% of all those counted.
Poll results: Chérine wins our Eurosong 2023 poll
- Chérine 49.49%, 974 votes
- gala dragot 17.68%, 348 votes
- The Starlings 11.84%, 233 votes
- Ameerah 9.76%, 192 votes
- Hunter Falls: 5.49%, 108 votes
- Loredana: 3.20% 63 votes
- Gustaph: 2.54%, 50 votes
Eurosong 2023 acts
Loredana
Flemish diva Loredana last participated in Eurosong in 2014, with the Ovi-penned song “She’s After My Piano”, which scored her a hit together with Pat Krimson. This year, the flame-haired songstress will take up the stage alone with her euro-dance track “You Lift Me Up.”
Chérine
Named “perfectly trilingual” by Flemish broadcaster VRT, Chérine previously took part in The Voice in both Flanders and France. The Antwerp native is bringing the French language to the Flemish preselection with her entry “Ça m’ennui pas”, a modern uptempo pop song.
Hunter Falls
Although less experienced than most of the other acts, Hunter Falls is brining a mix of flavours to the Eurosong stage. In the competition, he is performing “Ooh La La”, which seems reminiscent of a scandipop track that could have been found at Sweden’s Melodifestivalen in recent years.
Ameerah
Singer-songwriter Astrid Roelants, better known as Ameerah, previously worked with Jennifer Lopez and Tiësto and featured in a Madcon song. In “The Carnival” she shows off her vocal range as well as delivering a slick pop effort.
gala dragot
Already experiencing stardom in Albania, 17-year-old gala dragot is turning towards a mature audience in Belgium after earlier winning the Flemish edition of The Voice Kids. Her song “t’inquiète” has a gothic and experimental sound.
Gustaph
An outspoken queer artist, Gustaph finally tries to the take the Eurosong stage himself with “Because of You”. In 2018, he worked as a background singer for Sennek’s entry, while in Rotterdam in 2021, Gustaph helped Hooverphonic’s Geike Arnaert as a vocal coach.
The Starlings
The Starlings – that’s Tom Dice and Kato Callebaut – have enjoyed some commercial success in Belgium ever since their founding in 2019. “Rollercoaster” was written by Melfest 2023 participant Laurell Barker among others, and has a more distinct Eurovision sound.
Sorry but I find Cherine’s song to be super cheesy. I think people are overhyping this because it’s upbeat and because of Cherine’s personality/image.
Will it be available on YouTube or where can we watch 2023?
Sorry… “Where can we watch Eurosong 2023?”
Yes, we in the north of Belgium, we hate the French language so much that artists like Stromae, Angèle, Céline Dion, Lara Fabian are very popular in this side of the country… Weird reasoning.
I hope Chérine wins tonight! Hers and Gala’s songs are the best here 😀
Just saying this because a lot of ppl think the starlings will win
In 2008 we had sandrine and brahim both were known names but the public chose ishtar and yep they were unknown
Meaning the audience vote in my own country is really unpredictable and apperantly if you look at that year not so good…
East side wow you know literally everything ?? there is only a northern and a southern we are basically now sending from the northern side the whole area is dutch except for a few regions (brussels for example) there isn’t a western or eastern region here and as a flemish person we learn french on school we don’t hate it but i would have preferred a dutch song it’s a missed opportunity if you put the radio on and listen to it there is a bunch of dutch songs nowadays
So, as a Belgian, who would get your vote tonight?
I can’t believe that the starlings didn’t’ choose for Oceanside, That was the best song.
For now I go for Hunter Falls with Oohlala. With a complete restyling he have the best chance fo do well at ESF.
They chose Oceanside because the lyrics have more meaning to them.
Cherine song would be relevant about 15 years ago. What people like about it?
It’s fun, cute, uplifting and Cherine is so charismatic.
… What’s not to love?
Cherine is alright and would be my 2nd choice, but the eurofans are just too predictable, always supporting and hyping the upbeat “bops”…
Man, if you like a song, why do you care too much about what others think? xd
Wouldn’t really care if I were the only one deciding the results but that’s obviously not the case.
I’m in the minority here I know but I prefer Ameerah song rather than the 2 others fans favorites, I prefer Ameerah’s voice, style and presentation, I feel something listening to her that I don’t feel with the others, maybe I’m weird but I assume 😉 It’s ok to be different ty Ava Max.
It seems the 80’s sound is still trending in the eurofans mind but no longer in the real charts so I don’t know if Chérine song is really the right to chose. Don’t get me wrong if she is chosen it would be cool for her and for the eurofans who like her but for after I’m not 100% confident.
She would get support in the fandom for sure and it’s something Belgium didn’t get since 2018, but we all know now that the fandom support doesn’t systematically result in a good esc final ranking so I don’t know we will see, but it could help her at least to qualify, I don’t know I’m confused on this one.
What the hell, apparently for some people I’ve not the right to be confused and different lol ok guys enjoy your night.
I’d go with Cherine. I’m fine with Gala. I would have also been fine with The Starlings’ and Ameerah’s other songs.
I would go with cherine, but it’s a shame it’s either her or gala because I love galas song
As much as I like and appreciate Gala’s song, I think it’d be a big risk to pick it, especially with just televoteoters voting because its something voters will either get or not. Chérineon the other hand seems more instantaneous and its also very unique sounding (both in this selection and including songs in other selections).
I’d probably pick Chérine for that reason but I do also like Gala’s song.
I can understand the choice for Cherine,i love that song too!but i have to go for the refrain i just cant get out of my head and that is Ameerah’s song,the carnival,so catchy! It is the kind of song that gets Sweden a top 5 spot every year!
I am the only one who hearing in the Starlings song – I see fire by Ed Sheeran lol – Laurel should have done better …
Cherine/Gala/Ameerah pour moi
From the comments of videos on the selection, people have referenced end Sheerans song when discussing the Starlings song.
Agree for me its between Gala and Chérine but I think Chérine is perhaps more instantaneous than Gala so it’d be safer to pick her if they want to qualify.
We need more French and Italian in Eurovision so Cherine should gagner!
As a Flemish person I would like to share some insights because I am very passionate when it comes to Belgian ESC selections. First of all, it doesn’t matter if Chérine sings in French. Kate Ryan won the preselection with “Je t’adore” in 2006. She even was a favourite to win it all, but was sadly eliminated in the semi. Later, we remember Axel Hirsoux, but we don’t mention him anymore. The language issue is merely a political thing. The Starlings are very likable people, but nobody knows their songs. They have a very sweet love story, but that’s all.… Read more »
Loredana needs to go. If Belgium pick her, she is staying in semi …
We had Tom in 2010 and Gustaph in 2018,2021
Cherine/Gala/Ameerah should win
As also a belgian i think you forgot how disastrous we voted in 2008 we had brahim we had sandrine but what do we send and where did the public vote for ishtar since then i have zero faith in public voting when it comes to my own country
Who do you think the public will vote for tonight?
Do you really know Belgium? First of all, Flanders are not the east side of Belgium but the north side. Secondly, although the Flemish and the Walloons are not close to each other, especially for cultural reasons, they do not hate each other either. It is a political group and some old people with a mentality from another time that give this impression. The Flemish are very open to the French language which they speak rather well (better than we Walloons speak Dutch). Let me also remind that in 2014, the Flemish massively voted for the only Walloon in their… Read more »
Well I think Ruslana helped Axel to win too back in 2014
You’re Belgian?! I thought you were Spanish my bad… but you can be both at the same time too why not.
I’m Belgian, 100% 😉 But I know where the confusion comes from.
Cherine is my favourite, too. Followed by Ameerah
She is my favorite, too. I hope we don’t have any drama tonight!
Cherines song is definitely my favourite, and probably the song that would do best at esc. Shame the starlings didn’t pick Oceanside, i think the jury’s would have loved it. Overall, most of these songs are strong, gustaph and loredana are the only song that might not do good at esc
Gala Dragot for the win & ticket to Eurovision, disappointed The Starlings didn’t pick Oceanside, they could’ve been a contender
I’d be happy if she pulls it off. I’ve really grown to like most of the songs in this selection but Chérine’s entry just sticks out to me with its upbeat and retro-ish vibe. Super catchy and a lot of fun, and could definitely do well in Eurovision if staged well (which tbh Belgium does need some pointers for)
I think Cherine would definitely be Belgium’s best possibility to grab A lot of televote points since we have no juries in the semi finals, But I’m still erring on the side of caution in case she is not chosen.
I know everybody is hoping for Cherine to win this selection, including me, but we have to prepare for the possibility that the starlings might win this because they are the most familiar name of the bunch. I wouldn’t have minded this had they picked oceanside as their competing song, but they didn’t so I’ve got to mitigate My pending feelings of disappointment if it does happen. I know how this fandom can react when the favorite doesn’t win so Let’s keep this at the back of our heads. There’s also another couple Factors that might hurt Cherine Tonight. First,… Read more »
if the starlings had chosen oceanside i wouldn’t have minded them winning but if they do with rollercoaster…that’d be a disappointment hope Belgium doesn’t choose only based on the name
That’s exactly my feeling on the matter, but we don’t really have a say over this. The public within the country does, and often they vote for the artist with the biggest name, not always the best song. This has happened many, many times before and the eurofandom Predictively throws a tantrum when their favorite doesn’t win so this is something that they should be more prepared for. I’m trying to raise the alarm to say and give people some time to get prepared for the alternative outcome, but you know people won’t do that. They put all the eggs… Read more »
Cherine – Ça m’ennuie pas will win this night.
I hope so too, but be prepared for any outcome.
We were so wrong hahaha
Will the show of tonight be presented in Flemish of French language ? Or maybe a mix of them ? I know it’s happening on Flemish TV but there are some francophone contestants, juries and audience in the country as well so I wonder the way they will conduct the show so everyone can communicate together. It’s the first time I see our neighbours holding a public selection since I’m in ESC bubble so everything feels very exciting. “Ça m’ennuierai pas” if Belgium was about sending a catchy French song (for the first since 2005-2006) and would mark the great… Read more »
it will be in Flemish, Cherine also speaks 3 languages. the rtbf has nothing to do with this
No, the broadcaster is funded by and for the Flemish people. French speaking Belgians don’t pay for it so they will have to use subtitles. It’s the politics but also VRT’s audience.
Do you think the Flemish audience will vote for the only French language song of the bunch? Something tells me they wouldn’t even if it’s the best song in the bunch. Best case scenario would be Cherine wins the jury and the starlings with the televote, but there is a tie and the jury’s choice is the tiebreaker (I think that’s the rules for this selection, Correct me if I’m wrong).
I think they will. Of course, the Starlings are very likable people, but there is only 1 thing Belgians want: to not be embarrassed. And the best option to avoid that is with Chérine (or Gala imho).
Also, Kate Ryan was Flemish, she won with “Je t’adore” and was favourite to win the 2006 contest (before being eliminated in the semis).
Since we now know all the competing songs (and how artists sound/look live), I say my favourite was “Oceanside” by The Starlings. It was eliminated, thus, now I’m rooting for “Ça m’ennuie pas” by Chérine and “The Carnival” by Ameerah. Since ESC 2023 will be extremely friendly to English songs (compared to ESC 2022; hypothetically speaking), I will root for Chérine. So far, so good. I mean, Belgium seems have more quality from these 7 artists than those national selections with 30+ artists. Pleasantly unexpected!
The oceanside song by the starlings was imo a contender for winning the whole contest. Why did they have to choose something so generic?? I’m team cherine now.
the landslide! but who is the wiwibloggs editors’ favorite, i wonder?
Why not do a poll now that all the songs have been selected and out? The poll was based on snippets of the 14 songs. Now we have the 7 selected songs in full, maybe the result would be different.
Aweful taste by the fan community once again. Would be a car crash for Eurovision for sure.
Like Austria 2016 was a car crash? Look how that ended… Top 10…
Austria 2016 was a masterpiece compared to this!
Not even close….
How do you compare austria 2016 even with Cherine besides the fact they are both in french and the performers are young and is uptempo i don’t see it the one from cherine sounds more retro while the other songs sounded more idk cute or something
Looks like you’re angry because people don’t like your favorite song.
It’s important to note that the poll was most conducted during the time in which most songs weren’t out, and it was unclear which song will be performed by each performer. Still, I agree with the poll’s conclusion: Cherine should win. If not her, then Gala or Ameerah. However, I have a gut feeling that The Starlings are having this tonight, being the most popular ones in Belgium. I believe that Cherine might win the online vote of foreign fans, but something tells me that Belgians might pick otherwise. I really hope I’m wrong. Cherine to ESC!
i’m not sure the starlings will win though, i’m belgian and the song they chose is not popular, if it had been the other one the chances would have been great now i don’t think So
You overestimate their popularity. Their faces are known, but almost no one knows any of their songs. I feel like the audience will be very neutral tonight and choose the best song.
I hope that’s the case, but don’t underestimate an audience voting for familiarity over an unknown, even if the latter gives the best performance.
Can someone explain the appeal of her vocal style? Like yeah sure, it’s very high and she uses a lot of vibrato or whatever. Very impressive technically. It also sounds like she is singing her impression of nails on a chalkboard. Just because it’s difficult to do doesn’t mean it doesn’t sound absolutely horrible. How do you people listen to this and not want to rip your ears off? I don’t understand.
it’s very trendy right now. mind you that on tiktok people are using sped up/chipmunk versions of songs.