Picture: Diego Pinzon

It’s a full house tonight at Palais 12 in Brussels, where Belgium is set to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The Flemish broadcaster VRT has brought Eurosong back to the screen, with a mix of seven fresh and well-known acts battling for the chance to perform in Liverpool.

Gustaph has won the seven-act showdown in Brussels with his self-penned song “Because of You”. 

Hosted by Peter Van de Veire, the show is scheduled to start at 20:20 CET and will run until 22:00 CET.

Eurosong 2023 is being broadcast on TV channel Eén. There is a livestream on the VRT MAX website, but note that this may not be available in all countries.

Belgium’s Eurosong 2023

Contestants

  • Loredana – “You Lift Me Up”
  • Chérine – “Ça m’ennuie pas”
  • Hunter Falls – “Ooh La La”
  • gala dragot – “T’inquiète”
  • Gustaph – “Because of You”
  • The Starlings – “Rollercoaster”

Eurosong 2023 results

Televoting results

  1. The Starlings – 183 points
  2. Gustaph – 157 points
  3. gala dragot – 125 points
  4. Chérine – 123 points
  5. Loredana – 84 points
  6. Ameerah – 64 points
  7. Hunter Falls – 44 points

Jury results

  1. gala dragot – 146 points
  2. Chérine – 145 points
  3. Gustaph – 121 points
  4. Ameerah – 107 points
  5. The Starlings – 94 points
  6. Hunter Falls – 84 points
  7. Loredana – 83 points

Combined result

  1. Gustaph – 278 points
  2. The Starlings – 277 points
  3. gala dragot – 271 points
  4. Chérine – 268 points
  5. Ameerah – 171 points
  6. Loredana – 167 points
  7. Hunter Falls – 128 points  

Both the audience and a jury will vote to determine who will sing for Belgium at Eurovision 2023.

During the show, a panel of four experts — Nikkie de Jager, Laura Tesoro, Jérémie Makiese and Alexander Rybak — will give commentary. Together with eleven other off-screen judges, they comprise the jury.

The audience will meanwhile be able to vote through either SMS and/or the VRT MAX app. They will have to think carefully, though, as they will only have one vote per phone number or per VRT MAX account.

Who do you want to sing for Belgium at Eurovision 2023? Who is your favourite Eurosong 2023 contestant? Let us know in the comments down below!

638 Comments
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Vampire Survivors
1 year ago

Personally, I think the clothes are beautiful

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
1 year ago

I don’t understand this sudden hate… So, the same people that veneer Serhat or Senhit for their joyfulness, queerness and being nice camp, suddenly turn against someone that brings these same “qualities” but with an actual good voice, a well structured song and professionalism?… Only because there was a white girl reflecting a cliché with a miserable voice in a silly dress and that had zero presence on stage? This is madness

beccaboo1212
1 year ago

You don’t know that. In fact, Gustaph is destined to prove haters wrong ASAP.

beccaboo1212
1 year ago

Dear anti-fans,

Curse you. It’s likely that Gustaph is upset “Because of You” and your offensive comments following is victory at Eurosong. Just because he won Belgium’s national final the other day doesn’t mean it was undeserved. To me, “Because of You” is pretty decent, and I was hoping for Chérine or Gala. In conclusion, stop hating on Gustaph.

No thanks,
Rebecca

adan
adan
1 year ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

what in the pick me
-someone one month ago

Ana
Ana
1 year ago

The over the top outfit just shows that even he knew that this song is not memorable by itself and he needed to wear some awful pink cowboy costume to make this memorable.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

I find it a bit sad to see so much disdain for Gustaph. He himself just did his best at the NF and he deservedly won because he gave it his all and the result was positively noticeable. Was he my winner? No, after the live show Ameerah (The Carnival) became my favorite. I can’t help but love his stage presence and enthusiasm for his song though. I will wait eagerly to see if he can qualify for the final despite getting crap thrown at him left and right. I for one thinks he’d deserve it. I already loved this… Read more »

noqueen
noqueen
1 year ago

This is sooooo goooooood I already feel the whole arena dancing. This year is starting very promising!

Ril
Ril
1 year ago

Who expect Gustaph and The Starlings to be top 2 for televotes lol Belgium is so weird.

Ting tong
Ting tong
1 year ago

No final for Belgium this year. Sorry. We heard milions trash like this in many years ? and they stayed in semifinal lol. Belgium ?? good luck anyway

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  Ting tong

I wouldn’t call it thrash, that’s such a rude word to say about any song.

It’s not even that bad it’s just forgettable, safe and not very competitive but to call it “thrash” is an actual insult to the team involved and comes across as very ignorant

Ting tong
Ting tong
1 year ago
Reply to  Darren

Before you create problem, watchvwhat you are doing first fir a change. Read message understand and respect and check your message I didn’t say thrash, there is difference between thrash and trash and trash is not rude it’s commonly used word as with irony but you are too miserable to understand that. It is obvious you are looking to moan and get reply to full fill your empty life. At least I replied to your misery sympathetically. Sorry but it’s true. You take a deep breath and relax and have a good day ok

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  Ting tong

You actually did say thrash “We heard millions of thrash like this in many years” – Ting Tong, Wiwibloggs, 16/01/22 Also, thrash is a ride word, meaning the product etc is only good for the thrash can ie something to get rid of and not keep. Btw living my best life, hence why I’m pointing out when others are trying to tear down others. Merely pointing out 1) your attempt to tear someone down 2) Your failure to understand what thrash means. Probably shouldn’t be using words you don’t know the meaning of to avoid causing offence, just a heads… Read more »

beccaboo1212
1 year ago
Reply to  Ting tong

How dare you. It’s up to revamp and the staging’s fate to decide whether or not Gustaph will be in the season 67 finale.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
1 year ago
Reply to  Ting tong

Always these arrogant comments “No final for xxxx this year. Sorry” Get a grip and hold your horses. I read that so many times and so many went on to the final and some of them even went to win the whole thing. So who are you or anyone else to tell that?

Fever
Fever
1 year ago

Since many other countries will select, and have selected, some less competitive entries, this still waits to be seen. Mediocre vs. mediocre. Fair game.

nzzz
nzzz
1 year ago

Yesss Belgium!!So fashion, give me George Michael vibe…My first favorite for now…

Danny K
Danny K
1 year ago

I’m still flabbergasted how this even got 2nd with the televote. The song is so cringe. Gala was by far the most competent performer of the night

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Danny K

I love this song. I’ve probably listened to it close to a dozen times since it won. Go Gustaph! Go Belgium!

Lukas Machala
Lukas Machala
1 year ago

Take That‘s Relight My Fire 2.0

Yeshoney
Yeshoney
1 year ago

People in the world are going hard on the 80s & 90s types of songs and I still don’t get trend at all.

AllThingsNordic.eu
1 year ago

It’s a cute song and he definitely pulls it off. Well done, Belgium! Now, will that song stand out among the others in May? It remains to be seen. It’s fresh, though, and the guy is cute, fresh, sweet, nice voice, not bad….

Babes
Babes
1 year ago

Apparently, there was a fire at the zoo…

Jessica Folcker
Jessica Folcker
1 year ago

Wouldn’t be my first choice, but I absolutely love the early/mid 90’s vibe. 🙂

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

I like the song but why the outfit? I mean, why the outfit?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Too bad the Barbara dex award has been retired. It would’ve been full circle a Belgian winning it exactly 30 years after she participated in the contest. But I suspect he’ll probably have a different outfit at Eurovision that’s flashy but a little more tasteful.

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago

Ok… So i have now let yesterday’s result sink in and the question is if I was overreacting in my disappointment of the results yesterday – so i went back to see the performance again with a clearer mind – … But, its even worse than I remember….

I am sorry Belgium. This is a non-qualifier definitely!

Kalla
Kalla
1 year ago

Rearing online that Tom from The Starlings has lashed out at the juries vote. Having now listened to Rollercoaster, I think the juries were correct, it is clear plagorism of I See Fire by Ed Sheeran no questions asked.

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago

Lovely interview with him on youtube. He is one of us, a big fan too of Eurovision, he will leave our dreams too. Good luck, Gustav! Probably you know how funny could be fandom, ignore us, just have fun and entertain us! It is your time to shine!

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

Lives*

ILPIESC
ILPIESC
1 year ago

Mediocre song for me, there was better songs in my opinion

Jesper Hjellnes
Jesper Hjellnes
1 year ago

I don’t think it’s bad. I was just very surprised when he won, as I saw no hype for this entry among the fans.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

That’s not the fans who choose, the hype is cool for some artists getting some love from the fans but at the end it’s just for fun, it’s totally useless because this is the general public (jury and televoters) outside this specific bubble who choose and they have not the same taste than the eurofans, it’s the same for every national final and for Eurovision and it’s something that should be more respected by these eurofans. After that we wonder why some artists are reluctant to try to come in Eurovision and I think that the reactions of some too… Read more »

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago

Unfortunately I don’t like this entry at all. How it does in the contest is anyone’s guess because it’s way too early to make predictions. But up to now I am sad to say that I like none of the three entries selected for ESC.

wait, what
wait, what
1 year ago

this is gonna pull a moldova 2022 in may. mark my words.

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago
Reply to  wait, what

Wait, what?

Nope. Moldova 2022 was fun, catchy, engaging and had a memorable hook in “hey ho, lets go, rock’n’roll” – the belgian entry has none of this. There is no way this will do a Moldova 2022!

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  wait, what

LOL

Ril
Ril
1 year ago
Reply to  wait, what

If Israel failed to qualify with bop song last year, I dont think this song will qualify.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago
Reply to  Ril

I.M’s major flaw was its arrogance. Gustaph doesn’t have that and he’s a lot more likable and charismatic. I think this will greatly work in his favor, especially with juries absent in the semifinals now

filippe92
filippe92
1 year ago
Reply to  wait, what

this will pull an Israel* 2022

wait, what
wait, what
1 year ago
Reply to  wait, what

sorry babes, but this is a bop, equally underrated by the esc fandom as moldova 2022. israel 2022 was a fun mess.

Gil
Gil
1 year ago

What a mistake belgium….how gala or at least cherine were not selected? Dam…

Leo M
Leo M
1 year ago

I like Gustaph, good voice and good enthusiasm. The song though is just ok. I don’t hate it but I don’t like it either

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Leo M

That’s exactly how I feel about it. I got nothing against Gustaph As a person and I hope he does have a good time at eurovision regardless if he qualifies or not. But I don’t think this song is ever gonna be one of my favorites for this year. I might switch between Ukraine and Albania in my personal ranking but Belgium is last for now.

Okan
1 year ago

Ever since Rhythm inside, belgium songs started great but went nowhere and/or had terrible live performances.

This song is not great but at least it doesnt dissapoint and already have a good staging with good vocals. Not gonna win but Im a fan

Kalla
Kalla
1 year ago
Reply to  Okan

Couldn’t agree less, City Lights and Wrong Place were brilliant songs.

Okan
1 year ago
Reply to  Kalla

City lights was great with a bad performance.
A matter of time was by far the best song in 2018 and had one of the worst performances ever.

Guust
Guust
1 year ago

Gustaph has the full package: an uplifting house song, an amazing voice, a tight act, the right attitude and tons of experience. So happy he will represent Belgium and I hope Europe will be on his side. Several acts in the finals deserved to go Liverpool and he deserved it too.

Grft
Grft
1 year ago
Reply to  Guust

Perfect package with this outdated generic song? let’s ne serious

Guust
Guust
1 year ago
Reply to  Grft

This 90s sounds is actually very current – remember that little song ‘Break my soul’ by Beyoncé?

Dorien
Dorien
1 year ago

As a Belgian, I found this really good and nice song, I also voted for it. I didn’t think it was going to win because I didn’t find anyone who thought it was as good as I did. but apparently more people did ? you now its just A happy song I love it. so yes i am that crazy belgian who voted for this ?

AndersP
AndersP
1 year ago

I really don’t get the ire being directed at this – I love the 90s House sound on the backing track. I didn’t pay much attention to this selection at all (because y’know, Belgium!) so coming at this song cold, but I think this could quite happily qualify. The choreo is a bit robotic, and the outfit a bit naff, but that’s fixable – the song though, I quite like.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

Absolutely crap, sorry…

Albania 8/12
Ukraine 5/12
Belgium 0/12

Jessie
Jessie
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr X

Albania 0.8/12 lmaoo

Ted
Ted
1 year ago

i like the backing track but the song as a whole is boring.
Non qualifier

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Ted

So which is it?

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

I like the song but imo It sounds a bit “naked”.

Roro31
Roro31
1 year ago

Finally, its a good choice. He has a good voice, charisma and the music its good. I think its a darkhorse like San Marino 2019, its a sex appeal !

If the semi final where Belgium will be is boring, I think with televote Belgium will be on the final. Last night, there are a good televote for Him…

Finally, good choice with basic music but good.

NumenorW
NumenorW
1 year ago
Reply to  Roro31

Roro31 is a homophob !

Gesserit
Gesserit
1 year ago

This entire discussion reminds me of Laura Tesoro 2016 whom also wasn’t expected to win the NF. People hated it until the staging showed itself and she got top 10. Do not underestimate this.

Gesserit
Gesserit
1 year ago
Reply to  Gesserit

It’s in the same ballpark as Israel 2022 though a much more likeable ( and better ) singer, I think the fact the semi is televote only is a big boon for him if he cranks the lgbt factor up! Imagine a drag queen or some ballroom on stage? It can pop

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

The juries were sick for tanking Starlings T_T

Danny K
Danny K
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

I blamed the televote for even giving Gustaph second place. Like in front of gala, what a joke

Go_A Stan
Go_A Stan
1 year ago

welp, guess San Marino’s qualifying this year

Anita
Anita
1 year ago

It’s all because of: the jury.

When a jury does not have a clear favourite act with enough points to “compensate” the televoting, than a televoting will often get it’s second place as a winner.

Anita
Anita
1 year ago
Reply to  Anita

*its

Anita
Anita
1 year ago
Reply to  Anita

*then (sorry I have not used English often enough recently so old mistakes pop up)

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago

Hope to see Gustav at pre partys. He is such a humble guy. Good luck with the revamp.

beccaboo1212
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

I hope the music video is animated.

Chris
Chris
1 year ago

I think we heard worse entries in the contest than this one.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  Chris

There will always be worse entries. It’s just that no one expected such entry from Belgium. Country that previously sent very refined acts.

Chris
Chris
1 year ago
Reply to  Jamie

Well all countries do that from time to time..

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

Do we have the most toxic fandom this year selected? Meaning Belgium.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

Belgian Eurofans, please don’t be like the Spanish Eurofans last year when Chanel won, throwing her hate left and right. Just like Chanel didn’t deserve all the hate last year, Gustaph doesn’t deserve it either. He seems like a very nice guy who radiates good vibes. You may be disappointed your favorite song didn’t win, but do you think it’s fair to treat him this way?

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Most of last year’s hate to Chanel was not from Eurofans but from Galician nationalists and feminists. You create a Monster and when the Monster gets out of control you blame whoever…

beccaboo1212
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

I know, right? As much as I love “SloMo”, I think the word tongo should be removed from the Benidorm Fest dictionary.

Yush
Yush
1 year ago

WTH???? Belgium. You had one job. Ooh La La was your best chance with qualification. Wasn’t a fan of Cherine but she was good too. Are you serious?

beccaboo1212
1 year ago
Reply to  Yush

Don’t be an ass.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago

Those televote results are seriously…not good.
Rollercoaster is just the definition of meh. How was it 60 pts ahead of the good stuff?

Gilles
Gilles
1 year ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Well, The Starlings were – by far – the best known act.

esc_fl
esc_fl
1 year ago

To think the Starlings were one point away from winning. They might have been Belgium’s representatives with Oceanside, which I have saved now. I have no idea what to make of Because of You right now.

Eurotoxic
Eurotoxic
1 year ago

What????!!

We already know who is not going to be in the final

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurotoxic

I mean, we already know who’s going to win the whole thing anyway, so it’s not like it matter much.

Theresa May
Theresa May
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

All these down votes, but lets be honest. Ukraine will sweep the televote again.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  Theresa May

It won’t. Not with that boring song anyways. The victim blaming doesn’t stop I see.

Gilles
Gilles
1 year ago
Reply to  Theresa May

And yet it didn’t work at JESC in December. Ukraine came 7th in televoting.

beccaboo1212
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurotoxic

Keep your predictions to yourself, dude.

Nikos
Nikos
1 year ago

Oh no Belgium… So I do at least enjoy the song, and Gustaph at least seems nice and genuine. In the videos of them presenting their songs, they kept cutting to the other competitors and he was very supportive and enjoying them. So I think it is unfair that he is getting compared to MBD by some! Gala on the other hand… she kept making bored or snarky faces when they cut to her… As for the song… This was maybe my 4th/5th place. At the least I think that Cherine and the Starlings had much better songs and chances… Read more »

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago

Really sad to see Cherine sabotage herself with that staging. Gustaph… huh. He seemed sweet on the Songclub. The song seemed extremely one-dimensional compared to the other contenders. Gala (who nailed it IMO) would have been my pick, then Cherine, but Ameerah and The Starlings were still better options.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

Belgium was on such an upward trajectory in recent years, Blanche, Loïc etc etc.

This is disappointing I’m sorry.
I hope they get back on track next year, would love to see Belgium win at some point. Won’t be in 2023 anyway…

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
1 year ago
Reply to  Darren

Sorry but Loic was almost ten years ago… 8 to be precise. Blanche 6 years ago. Yes time flies… Sorry but after Blanch Belgium has been objectively and musically rather in a downward hill. But this year could be much better