Romania has spoken. The winner of Selecția Națională 2023 is Theodor Andrei, who will carry the Romanian flag in Liverpool with his song “D.G.T. (Off and On)”.

Twelve songs were competing tonight to represent Romanian in Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, in May. In the end, Theodor took the crown. The result was determined 100% by the public, via televote and online vote. 

Theodor Andrei created an incendiary show with a lot of emotions and theatrical moments. At the end of his show, he ripped off his shirt and the message “Make Love No War” was revealed. 

Theodor Andrei — “D. G. T. (Off and on)” (Romania Eurovision 2023)

 

Romania’s Selecția Națională 2023

  • Deiona – 1878 votes
  • Andrada Popa – 1606 votes
  • Ocean Drive – 1469 votes
  • Amia – 4232 votes
  • Andrei Duțu – 4302 votes
  • Andrei Theodor – 5230 votes
  • Steven Roho, Gabriella, Formația Albatros – 2857 votes
  • Aledaida – 4250 votes
  • Adriana Moraru – 925 votes
  • Maryliss – 2471 votes
  • JaxMan – 2459 votes
  • Andreea D Folclor Orchestra – 4845 votes

After each artist performed, the five artists with the biggest number of votes were called to return on stage. The five artists were: Andrei Theodor, Andreea D Folclor Orchestra, Andrei Duțu, Aledaida and Amia.

Theodor Andrei will sing “D. G. T. (Off and on)” in the second semi-final at Eurovision 2023 this May.

What do you think about the winning song? Will Theodor Andrei score big points for Romania at Eurovision? Share your thoughts below. 

 

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Zakidi
Zakidi
1 year ago

Am I the only one who think this is too smiliar to “Ghetto Superstar”? Emh… awkward

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago
Reply to  Zakidi

There is a tiny bit of similarity in the melody of the chorus, but far too small to call it “too similar”.

TwitterCircus
1 year ago
Reply to  Zakidi

This song D.G.T is in 3/4 time signature
And Ghetto superstar is in 4/4 time signature

RiMi
RiMi
1 year ago

Quote from his statement. It’s true that we tried to reinterpret Michelangelo’s famous painting of God and Adam almost touching and some got it, some didn’t. But I was saddened by the fact that some people summed up my moment in nudity and vulgarity, when in fact the message was a profound one – namely that only when we realize that we are in the end just pieces of earth (like Adam) can we understand that the only things what differentiates us are circumstances and choices, but inside us beat identical, 4-chambered hearts, with smiles and tears. I’m not the… Read more »

The truth
1 year ago

I am sorry but this is so terrible.

Bart
Bart
1 year ago

This is the worst entry I ever heard

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

Was this the best song in their national final? Okay then…

Dida
Dida
1 year ago

Finally, a good song I could easily play and listen after all those bland selected songs (Ukraine, Norway, Croatia, Estonia, Italy or Spain)…

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago

Some of these comments… my goodness. The fact some of you are trying to defend women while in the same breath heavily criticizing what the dancers and wearing and how they are acting. Maybe ask the women themselves how they feel rather than telling them how to dress and act.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago
Reply to  Kevan1994

I doubt they see anything wrong with it and that’s part of the problem, it just perpetuates the sexual objectification of women and does nothing to “empower” woman.

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago

And you know what’s another thing with TVR? When they get too harsh criticisms, sometimes they start behaving defensive like rebellious teenagers, sticking to the thing they are criticised for until the end just out of spite. So while I doubt our comments here can have any impact on the actual entry, it might be wise not to make a too loud drama out of it. After all, the staging will most definitely get modified. That’s what Romania has always done

Eds
Eds
1 year ago

Maybe you should explain the 180° you just did when one day ago you were praising the staging, obviously you didn’t see anything wrong then.

Eds
Eds
1 year ago
Reply to  Eds

I’m not defending anything, my apologies if it’s coming across that way. It was just an observation.

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago

Ugh, answering to your last question, well, Romania is a conservative Ortodox Christian country. The #metoo movement haven’t managed to gain any popularity or cause any significant societal talk there. Basically Romania has never had their #metoo movement yet. So the issue of sexism and violence against women has never been openly discussed there yet. Which means all these midndsets still pretty much stay unreflected and subconscious on a societal level. Fortunately, right now there seems to be some scandal about professors from the Cinema and Theatre University harassing their female students for many years, but these are just small… Read more »

Eds
Eds
1 year ago

There’s hope, thanks to Romania Andrew Tate is now behind bars.

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago
Reply to  Eds

Fingers crossed Tate is eventually given the longest possible sentence. Since there were some former Eurovision composers who have enough nerve of openly expressing their support for Tate on their social media claiming it’s “progressists’ agenda” that came for him. They are not afraid of posting such things as they know they are safe and nobody’s gonna cancel them for that. Here I’m talking about Costi Ionita, the composer of Zaleilah and multiple Selectia Nationala entries.

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago

Yes, the poor level of song quality in Romanian selection this year is a DIRECT CONSEQUENCE of the absolutely shameful circus TVR has transformed an otherwise very powerful last year’s selection line-up into on TV. Don’t forget that there was also some racism involved. With a Roma singer standing right in front of him, a jury member was outwardly ridiculing the music genre specific to Balkanic Romas, by saying “I don’t understand what was that. A parody, a protest, what was that? This will have 0 success”. Romanian musical scene has a lot of awesome artists, but TVR is literally… Read more »

Eds
Eds
1 year ago

The people here who complain about the “nudity and the female dancers looking like “tr***” are probably the same people who are like “yaaaas girlboss kweeen” when it comes to onlyfans because they think it’s empowering for women.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Eds

I wish “our” amateurish pile of a nothing entry will fail completely. I also wish for TVR to cease existing and stop embarrassing us in all the worst ways possible, like they continue to do. Inept communist-era relic.

Eds
Eds
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

TVR is totally uninvested, I don’t understand why they keep hosting the national selection if they don’t give a crap about it.

They should move to a different broadcaster, like Antena 1, they could do a hella better job with jt.

Or even pulling a Sanremo/Melodifestivalen by letting the Golden Stag festival (Cerbul de Aur) determine the winner would be better.

Kevan1994
Kevan1994
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

Do we feel the “amateurish pile of a nothing entry” is just even a little bit harsh and maybe not actually how you really feel?

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Kevan1994

Okay, it may have been a bit too harsh towards him but TVR themselves truly deserve nothing but contempt. As for how I actually really feel towards the song, it’s just something that I would never listen to voluntarily otherwise, not at all, and I’m being as nice as I possibly can when I say that.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

Narrow-mindedness and tastelessness run rampant in our country, most concise way I can answer.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

I’m afraid I’ve got no answers since I wasn’t masochistic enough to bother following this absolute s**tshow of a “selection”.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago

You beat me to it Una, no doubt I’ll get down voted but what the heck. I think this sort of imagery and sexual objectification of women is appalling. I’m not coming from a prudish viewpoint, anyone who see’s nothing wrong with this really needs to wake up. ESC is also considered to be family entertainment, if you have kids being bombarded with stuff like this from an early age they may grow up thinking treating women in this manner is acceptable. We have people here defending the act and taking their own interpretations from it trying to claim it’s… Read more »

Film4o
Film4o
1 year ago

I saw some people that dont understand the stage show so ill explain what i think it means. I think the staging represents the fantasies and desires thru the lens of a horny school boy writing his homework, but he secretly fantasies about women and sex and in his mind people should do more of that instead of war of fighting with each other. Theres also a voodoo doll representing how his male nature can be easily manipulated by a female with her fingers. Please feel free to add more interpretations and meanings, because the staging was absolutely creative in… Read more »

Film4o
Film4o
1 year ago
Reply to  Film4o

I forgot to add that when the performance starts we see him in the beginning as a nerd, but in his head and fantasies he is a rock star with attitude.

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago
Reply to  Film4o

Your opinion has quite… uhm… evolved overnight. Btw, since you’ve mentioned Roxen and the ability to explain the meaning of a song, it’s completely irrelevant to the article – however, only on February 7th this year I have finally got the meaning of Alcohol You. I was under the influence of… no, not alcohol, caffeine and then it suddenly hit me like out of nowhere, and I was like man it was on the surface all this time, Roxen even hinted it through their NF staging! Still it took me THREE years. I wonder would it be different had they… Read more »

Emkay
Emkay
1 year ago

The people who post on wiwibloggs almost ALWAYS say that any “rock-sih” entry is a non-qualifier. I wouldn’t take anything said in the comments here too seriously.

Emkay
Emkay
1 year ago
Reply to  Emkay

*rock-ish

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago
Reply to  Emkay

I’d say any non-mainstream entry.
I mean last year people here were literally doubting Moldova’s chances for qualifying, when it was obvious they were gonna do well. Even now, after a folkloric song has literally won ESC, here seem to be still plenty of people who equate folklore with “joke entry”, which saddens me, but after all, it’s just ordinary people and their personal opinions, nothing more to it.

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago

It is the first time ever that Romania is sending a contemporary pop rock song in Romanian to the contest. I do love the Romanian dancepop songs, but its great that they also dare to do poprock as well for once. And finally not asong that they think Europe will like. So happy they didnt choose “Hora Din Moldova 2.0”!

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

This is by far the worst entry this year. Simply horrible.

Giles40
Giles40
1 year ago

Good voice, good stage presence, good song but the staging …I’m not sure. It’s one of the rare songs which managed to translate the energy of the studio version during the live show last night and that was thanks to Theodor’s skills. And he sings in his own language which is something to salute.So, good luck in Liverpool !My favourite song was Perinita Mea. Had they won, they would have been able to turn the arena in Liverpool into a huge party like Moldova did in Rome last year.

Ffs
Ffs
1 year ago

this is so bad …

Eds
Eds
1 year ago

People here said last year that Llamame is a NQ as well. The difference is I find this entry better than our last year’s entry, it just needs to get rid of the staging which doesn’t fit the song at all. He should go back to the live voice performance. I’d also keep the entire song in Romanian.

Xxx
Xxx
1 year ago
Reply to  Eds

Let’s pretend that y’all didn’t cheat last year.

Ovidiu ESC
Ovidiu ESC
1 year ago

This is so terrible!! Mess, bad voice, especially the last note, bad choreo.. and why those dancing twinks are shirtless, doesnt make sense.. i Think Romania would do better taking a break this year (as TVR planned) than sending this…

Film4o
Film4o
1 year ago
Reply to  Ovidiu ESC

Disagree. Staging is amazing and it just needs to be more polished which will be. Its in your face, campy, playful, creative and it tells the story thru the eyes of a horny teenager and i love every minute of it. My winner and im absolutely voting for this.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

I just can’t get how he won, does anyone care to explain if he’s well-known or what? The staging was a big kitsch mess. Song is forgettable and goes nowhere.

Honestly, they could’ve sent any other song than this.

On top of that, what’s the point of spending all the money on a crap national final instead of saving for an internal selection? Bring back Roxen!

Eds
Eds
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

Why do people overrate Roxen so much? She was a nervous wreck on stage and failed to qualify us in the final.

I wouldn’t mind an internal selection but we have artists who’d be better for Eurovision than Roxen

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

Never thought I was going to say this but this selection actually makes me miss WRS a little now, ahaha. I guess Theodor is a decent live performer but the song itself is just an amateurish pile of nothingness, and all the other options were pretty much the same unfortunately.

Chupacabra
Chupacabra
1 year ago

My first imression: NQ, but after listening and viewing a second time and reading the text, definitely a grower. Seems, we´ve the tendency that contenders make a step out of “perfect, lying insta-world”. Like Malta. The Guy has energy!

Ivar
Ivar
1 year ago

Was this the best entry in the Romanian pre-selection? The guy has energy and can sing, but the rest of the package screams non-qualifier

ESC Stan
ESC Stan
1 year ago

I got the progression of the narrative he was going for, but it didn’t quite work. Theodore was my favourite, so if this is fixed (and of coursed it can be) this can at least do top ten. This is all potential.

Marty McCU
Marty McCU
1 year ago

Non qualifier for sure!

paul
paul
1 year ago

could eurovision 2023 turn out to be an even bigger non starter than the cancelled show of 2020. lets see we have a nation hosting that didnt even win,hosting on behalf of another nation that probaably only “won” so televoters could hate on Russia. Add to this the return of the televoting only at least in the semis (for now) and the potential return of high scoring of lunatic entrys that the 50/50 mix tried to address. Despite our displeasure with Russia we now have a contest that seems entirely hijacked by politics. Think I will give it a miss… Read more »

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago
Reply to  paul

1. It is not the first time when the winner couldn’t host the contest. Actually this year is the fifth time.
2. Ukraine won year ago. Are you still sad?
3. When we are talking about war is not about politics anymore. We are talking about people murdered.
4. Are you from AzerBUYjan?
5. Nobody force you to watch this circus if you already know the winner. Bye-bye!

paul
paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

people have been murderd in many conflicts and invasions during the years of eurovision,the UK and Turkey have murdered people in illegal invasions.
Your point makes no sense about other nations hosting on behalf of other nations,but a long time ago and has no context to my comments on the 2023 contest.
Not from Azerbaijan but now that you come to mention it another human rights abuser that harras its neighbours well done,you can think outside the russian hysteria box!
Of course no one can force me to watch,dont state the obvious.
now calm down and take a chill pill!

paul
paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

to add I never suggested I knew the winner,but of course you seem to imply the same thing will happen again,so I suspect you probably know the result.

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago
Reply to  paul

Ofc I know. I just bet all my money on it. The winner is the public. Bye-bye!

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

Romania 0/12

kia
kia
1 year ago

the guy can sing, he’s a good performer and has charisma to fill the stage. stage, which by the way, can be improved. personally i didn’t like the outfits
i think the song will grow on people over time. i say that because at first i didn’t like it so much myself, but now i think it was the best option for romania. it’s not boring nor generic and it definitely has potential

paul
paul
1 year ago

I have to be honest,I decided to save 3 minutes of my life,I will never get back and didnt even watch this.
I suspect I havent missed anything

Neila
Neila
1 year ago
Reply to  paul

Totally – haven’t missed anything

paul
paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Neila

Hey Nelia how are you,yeagh I thought as much!

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago
Reply to  paul

You saved 3 minutes to write this comment. You won.

paul
paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

you must type very slow?took me about 30 seconds!
If I choose to not listen to a “song” and reply to a post either way is my choice,live with it and deal with it

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago
Reply to  paul

A “song” that won. And you will never know what is about or how it sounds, right? I personally do not like lot of songs and I just ignore them (after I listen at least once, ofc).

Paul
Paul
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

You need mental evaluation immediately

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

he has a good energy on stage, but for the rest the song and visuals are better kept for the radio. not sure about romania’s chances, i fear an nq might make them withdraw next year.

AllThingsNordic.eu
1 year ago

Holy lord! Where are you, Romania? We lost you and we miss you… Not this. Go back to great songs of the 00s and early 10s

SebESC23
SebESC23
1 year ago

It was an interesting Super Saturday with a lot of discussion added to the debate of where does art begin and crazy gimmicks end. Personally, I see this Romanian song as artistic and has potential.

blueeyed
blueeyed
1 year ago

It’s not half as bad as some commenters try to portray it. Not my cup of tea but it’s lightyears ahead of that mess with a wedding dress.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  blueeyed

It’s actually worse. It’s a dated kitsch mess that goes nowhere and is forgettable.

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago

Theodor did his show by himself. It was his vision. He also wrote the song. He is creative and he loves Eurovision. As WRS did, he will give 100% on the Liverpool stage. He is 18 years old and he will bring freshness on that stage. For sure, he will come with better show and a revamp. I voted for him, I see his potential and I am happy that fresh artists without a big label behind could represent us. It is a risk for us, but is a beautiful one. Sorry for not being in standards also this year.… Read more »

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

I have no doubt that he loves Eurovision and he is creative. However, we have the right to express our opinion and say that this is very amateurish and kitsch. Dated and forgettable that goes nowhere. It doesn’t stand out. That’s why I was shocked it won.

I’ll just wait and see what improvements he can make for Liverpool but for now this is a clear NQ.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
1 year ago

I don’t even know what to say to this one? I haven’t been this confused in a while, both by the entry and by the choice being made….and that’s without seeing the other ones.

Was this really the one the Romanian people truly thought was quality?

TheOnlyOne
TheOnlyOne
1 year ago

Outdated and cringe

Based
Based
1 year ago

Doesn’t this sound like a male version of Ester Peony? ( Not the theme, but the singing part)

Mikilovy
Mikilovy
1 year ago
Reply to  Based

No

Nicolas
Nicolas
1 year ago

OMG I can’t even imagine the level of the other songs of the Romania selection if this is the winning song.

Tommm
Tommm
1 year ago

This was a SHOCK for me

Jake
Jake
1 year ago

Wow. Cringe. I think this might actually get votes in the final with all the drunk viewers who still stereotype Eurovision as this mishmash of craziness. But in the semis—you get more people who take Eurovision seriously and this looks vulnerable.

MTD
MTD
1 year ago

What. The. F.?

Romania…I mean…whatever I say, I’ll just…no.

Why do I keep watching ESC?

wait, what
wait, what
1 year ago

from llamame to this, oh lord, who made you straight ??

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago

Another poor song. To date this year is so disappointing with the exception of what may come from Finland and Belgium which i know here on wiwi everyone hates but i love. Don’t think ill be buying a ticket for Liverpool unless there is a major change in standards to come.

Eds
Eds
1 year ago

Laura Bretan? Are you serious?

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
1 year ago

I’m kinda sad and surprised for Perinita Mea losing. Andreea D was, basically, the only relatively famous name out of the whole line-up (even tho she haven’t released anything in the past, like, 10 years?) and her team have obviously put the most effort into their performance and got by far the most complete package among all the 12 acts. The background was perfect! And she ultimately conquered with that listing of local Romanian identities (ardelean, muntean, dobrojean…). With a little revamping of Andreea’s and the musicians’ costumes (some Prahova-specific ia’s would’ve been nice) this was a sure qualifier. On… Read more »

Isabella
Isabella
1 year ago

That’s such a downgrade from Urs.

Jessica Folcker
Jessica Folcker
1 year ago

The country that gave us Inna, Minelli, Sickotoy, Aleksandra Stan and yet another year with a bland tune.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

We gave the world some throwaway dance pop, oh, the wonder…

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
1 year ago

Ok, well, at least he sings well.