Photo by Diego Pinzon / Wiwibloggs

Belgium finally has its act for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. And as the dust of a nail-biting national final settles, Eurosong champion Gustaph has opened up about his winning track “Because of You”.

Gustaph outlined his planned for bringing “Because of You” to the Liverpool Arena stage, as he plans to add “finesse” to the performance. 

The Belgian superstar also said his song is a love letter to chosen families and queer communities.

We caught up with the talked to the newly-crowned winner shortly after his victory in Belgium.

Gustaph “Because of You” interview — Belgium Eurovision 2023

 

Speaking backstage at Belgium’s Eurosong 2023, Gustaph told our Renske he felt good on stage.

During the performance, he was joined by two of his best friends on backing vocals, while his husband designed the stage backdrop and visuals. He described performing with his chosen family was an honour, and he was grateful to deliver this song’s message. 

Gustaph said: “[‘Because of You’] is really about the chosen family, which happens a lot in the queer world. I think ‘Because of You’ is universal. Anyone who helps you to where you are in life and helps you to say this is who I am and I love who I am because of you.”

Teasing his performance in Liverpool, Gustaph said the performance in Eurosong will be the blueprint for his performance in Liverpool. 

He added: “I’m sure we are gonna do some finesse here and there, but this is the blueprint for me. This is something I really want to focus on and keep going forward with when I go to Liverpool.”

Additionally, Gustaph said he’s exciting to take the track around Europe on the promotional circuit. He said: “I love touring, so bring it on”. Amsterdam, London, Tel Aviv — Gustaph could be with you very soon.

“This is very exciting to me because a lot of my friends will actually be at these parties, which is incredible to me.”

What are your thoughts about Belgium’s entry for Eurovision 2023? Tell us in the comments below.

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Tony the dog
Tony the dog
1 year ago

We could not even vote because of the stupid voting system (error all the time). Feel like this is all corrupt. This song is just horrible

es eff
es eff
1 year ago

I’d love to see Gustaph and the backing vocalists on the smaller floating stage, to create a more intimate and club-like vibe, almost like go-go dancers. I think that this could surprise a lot of people in May if staged well and would be a great opener to a semi-final.

Jay
Jay
1 year ago

A crap song from a gay guy … that’s about the size of it!

mike
mike
1 year ago

chérine was sooo much better

Martin
Martin
1 year ago

I think I’m in minority, but I think this song is amazing! Good luck

dinosaur
dinosaur
1 year ago

I feel like alot of criticism came from people who didn’t watch the show. He was amazing. Didn’t expect to win but that’s solely because nobody liked it before the show.

EProduc
EProduc
1 year ago

Not gonna lie. It’s growing on me. The song was dead last for me before the night of the finale, but the performance made something happen. With good staging he can definitely reach the top 20. However, I’ll never get over the fact that we won’t get to see Chérine with Ça M’ennuie Pas at Eurovision.. that was a possible top 5 song. It’s one of my favorite songs to ever come out of a Belgian Eurovision selection. Now I can only think “what if…”

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

The worst Belgian entry since 2014…

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Stephanie

no u

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

I can’t reminder I ever participated but thank you!

XOOOD
XOOOD
1 year ago

ngl, the song is obnoxious at best, I can’t hnadle another moment of the song. [i did not follow the selection, so it comes from an outsider listener and not from a but*hurted fan].

stan
stan
1 year ago

He’ll be the fan favourite after slaying every pre-party
good luck Gustaph!

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago

I’m happy to see nice comments after all the hate on Saturday night. I enjoy this song even if it’s not what we would call “quaoity”. It just makes me smile 🙂 The spirit of the song is so nice and it is so true when he says that RuPaul Drag Race inspired him, I really feel it.

Watermelon
Watermelon
1 year ago

I tried twice but 1 min of it it’s enough for me. It is probable that at some point before May I will enjoy it. But it is quite unlikely it’ll be high in mg top. Musically it doesn’t say anything to me… 🙁

Sally
Sally
1 year ago
Reply to  Watermelon

I couldn’t make it through either. It was so disjointed and had no ‘flow’ from one line to the next, one section to the next.

There is a enough there that it could be improved with the revamp, but as it is now, I can’t see it making out of the semis.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
1 year ago

I really like this song. It made me dance the first time I heard it. Here is a very good example when a banger can be of great quality!

Safiya
Safiya
1 year ago

I was pretty indifferent about other contestants, so I am not mad. In fact, I am happy about that choice. I was surprised that he won, but I must admit that his performance was the only one that made me feel something. I thought something like “wow, that was nice”. Great voice, good energy and most importantly he seems really honest. The song might be cliche and the lyrics are simple, but you can feel that they really mean a lot to him. It does not seem like a random song that was written by a stranger and just handed… Read more »

noqueen
noqueen
1 year ago

I have this on repeat, sooo good! We need more uptempo songs on ESC after last year’s snooze final full of ballads and midtempo.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

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

58 Points (JE)
1 year ago

Underestimate this at your peril. Pure joy. Queer in the best sense of the word. Team Banger™ will wet themselves. LOVE HIM!

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

This is the type of queer representation I love to see at Eurovision!

An entire production created by his chosen queer family, a feel-good song and a decent dance track, what’s not to love? I really hope he dives into the ballroom vibe and has some people voguing on stage in Liverpool. I’m also so excited to see his outfit, I’m praying it’s as camp as possible with tearaway sleeves and an even bigger hat.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

I was a Cherine stan before the live performances, a Gala stan after the live performances & now a Gustaph stan after the results.

The guy is just so lovable and I’m really rooting for him to qualify. I might even vote for him if the staging is killer. Don’t f**k it up, Gustaph!

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

I hope he tours Hungary and Turkey and persuades them to come back in 2024

Piet
Piet
1 year ago

Nice guy, the song is “okay”, and his voice is good! But he really must ditch that ridiculous costume if he is aiming for success at Eurovision. The way he looks now is an absolute no-go if he wants to be taken seriously by the mainstream European public.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Piet

Conform, you mean? That’s the opposite of the message of this song.

Piet
Piet
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I’m not talking about conforming. If he wants to go queer, then he should do it properly, and go Boy George all the way. Now it is just a poor man’s choice variant. If he wants to be successful, he should either go queer all the way or not at all.

Robin
Robin
1 year ago
Reply to  Piet

I don’t think a Vanbeirendonck outfit is a ‘poor man’s choice’ …..

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  Piet

I’m old enough to remember when people called Boy George’s outfits ridiculous. He stuck with his style and it paid off.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Or put it plainly, have someone style him that would register well on TV.

Sometimes, outfits don’t look as ridiculous when you see them being worn face to face, but that doesn’t translate well when you see them being shown onscreen.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Piet

A twin-set and pearls from Marks and Spencer, Liverpool might be more suitable. And perhaps a pussy bow that the dancer could rip off halfway through.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

He’s a lovely guy. I hope he wears a better outfit for Eurovision.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

I bet the guy has every fashion designer in Belgium currently in his DM’s to design his look for Eurovision.

Koen
Koen
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

He already expressed his hopes that Walter Van Beirendonck would continue to design his look for Eurovision, as he did for his look for Eurosong.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

Good luck guy and the most important thing have a nice Eurovision journey, focus on the love you get, ignore the trolls and do what you think is good for you.

duxx
duxx
1 year ago

Its a one big….NO

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

I think this could surprise people tbh. If Belgium could qualify with Miss You, I’m sure it’s gonna be possible with Because Of You

Tommm
Tommm
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

Dont even compare 2022 with this pls. Gustaph is nice person but song is let down pour moi – he should take The Nail to UK instead of this song