The race to Eurovision has concluded in Portugal, as the last national final of the season wrapped up. Mimicat has won Festival da Canção 2023 and will represent Portugal at Eurovision with her song “Ai coração”.
On Saturday, 13 acts competed to fly the Portuguese flag in Liverpool at the Festival da Canção grand final. The lineup included Eurovision 2018 veteran Cláudia Pascoal and returning fan favourite Bárbara Tinoco. But in the end, Mimicat came out on top.
Portugal’s Festival da Canção 2023: Mimicat wins with “Ai coração”
CONGRATULATIONS MIMICAT!
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) March 12, 2023
SEE YOU IN LIVERPOOL! ?????#festivaldacancao #eurovision pic.twitter.com/aMAMAyZ3sT
Thirteen acts competed in the Portuguese Eurovision national final.
- Cláudia Pascoal — “Nasci Maria”
- Churky — “Encruzilhada”
- Esse Povo — “Sapatos de cimento”
- Bárbara Tinoco — “Goodnight”
- You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown — “Contraste mudo”
- Voodoo Marmalade — “Tormento”
- Inês Apenas — “Fim do mundo”
- Mimicat — “Ai coração”
- Dapunksportif — “World Needs Therapy”
- Neon Soho — “Endless World”
- Ivandro — “Povo”
- Edmundo Inácio — “A festa”
- SAL — “Viver”
The original format had just 12 final spots up for grabs, but producers gave an extra slot to Esse Povo following a fault with voting lines.
Results
The results were determined by a 50-50 combination of votes from seven regional juries and from a public televote.
Edmundo Inacio and Mimicat tied for first with the juries. Mimicat won the public vote, putting her in first place overall.
Jury vote
12 points — Mimicat — “Ai coração” — 12 points
12 points — Edmundo Inácio — “A festa”
8 points — Cláudia Pascoal — “Nasci Maria”
7 points — You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown — “Contraste mudo”
6 points — Ivandro — “Povo”
5 points — Neon Soho — “Endless World”
4 points — Esse Povo — “Sapatos de cimento”
3 points — Bárbara Tinoco — “Goodnight”
2 points — Inês Apenas — “Fim do mundo”
1 point — SAL — “Viver”
Churky, Voodoo Marmalade, and Dapunksportif received zero points from the juries.
Public vote
12 points — Mimicat — “Ai coração” — 12 points
10 points — Edmundo Inácio — “A festa”
8 points — Dapunksportif — “World Needs Therapy”
7 points — Voodoo Marmalade — “Tormento”
6 points — Bárbara Tinoco — “Goodnight”
5 points — Churky — “Encruzilhada”
4 points — Cláudia Pascoal — “Nasci Maria”
3 points — Ivandro — “Povo”
2 points — SAL — “Viver”
1 point — Inês Apenas — “Fim do mundo”
Esse Povo, Neon Soho, and You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown received zero points from the televote.
Combined results
- Mimicat — “Ai coração” — 24 points
- Edmundo Inácio — “A festa” — 22 points
- Cláudia Pascoal — “Nasci Maria” — 12 points
- Bárbara Tinoco — “Goodnight” — 9 points
- Ivandro — “Povo” — 9 points
- Dapunksportif — “World Needs Therapy” — 8 points
- Voodoo Marmalade — “Tormento” — 7 points
- You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown — “Contraste mudo” — 7 points
- Churky — “Encruzilhada” — 5 points
- Neon Soho — “Endless World” — 5 points
- Esse Povo — “Sapatos de cimento” — 4 points
- Inês Apenas — “Fim do mundo” — 3 points
- SAL — “Viver” — 3 points
Are you happy with the results? Are you excited to see Mimicat at Eurovision? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Improve staging and make it memorable…get out of comfort zone and dare to dare with extreme trashy glam visuals and makeup, bring on sexiness, increase camera close ups and you’re ready for the final.
She’s going to have a videoclip!
I’m addicted to this song. OMG
Is Mimicat made by Whiskas?
Imagine Croatia qualify over this masterpiece… i hope she will made it to the final.
Or Israel…..
Masterpiece? Are your serious? It resembles very much all those typical cabaret songs that can be heard anywhere in the world. Croatia is at least innovative.
Well, if you follow that path there is not a single innovative song in eurovision because all of them have lots of songs outside that can be related to! You are just being a hater, and even your Croatian song hasn’t innovation even at Eurovision – go and check precisely Portugal 2011 Homens da Luta…..
Both “Homens da luta” and “Mama SC” are politically engaged songs and that’s the only thing they have in common. Am I a hater for not thinking that Mimicat’s song is a masterpiece? Although I’m aware it’s highly undesirable not to be impressed by Portuguese entries here since they are overhyped year after year in this website.
Well, since you have the preconception of the overhype about the portuguese entries year after year, just stop toxic and go comment in the ones you like, I do the same…
No just no…the Portuguese entries are getting the recognition they deserve.
Did you watched the portuguese national final? It was clearly one of the best of the season. Hands down to Portugal, they improved a lot in the last years. Deal with that 😉
Love this new era of Portugal being on fire! This is the summer bop we need in May!
Hear hear!
If my Sheridan were here he’d be appalled!
It showcases Portugal soul very well: strong, passionate, genuine people with a flair for drama and very much fun loving.
Indeed! Everything around the entry feels so Portuguese 🙂
I’m not feeling it as much as everyone seem to be. She’s a good and charismatic performer but I don’t like this style nor the song. Too weird. Anyway, I could see the audience supporting a quirky theatrical act like this one.
I like it, but I do get why some people don’t get the hype. It’s not for everyone, and that’s OK.
Well that is not a surprise coming from you dear putting down everything that comes from Portugal.
Great choice I think. Portugal was due a fun, interesting song like this while staying true to its culture and singing in its native language. I think it has what it needs to qualify. At least I sure hope so
Neon Soho was my favourite but Mimicat was the first act of the evening where I thought “this is good and this could win”. An entry Portugal can be proud of: it’s authentic, it has heart and soul, a very charismatic performer and lots of fun to watch.
sounds dated, generic and annoying, i cant see this qualifying
Better than modern generic pop songs that sound all the same and have no soul nor character.
You definitely have Norway, Israel, UK and Poland in your top 5.
Well guys, that’s it for the national final season. I can’t believe it’s over, because Time just went by so fast. Once the last three songs from the caucuses are out, we’ll have our full lineup.
January-March is always the most fun part of the season.
And the rest of the year we´re only looking forward for this…
I had other favorites in Festival da Canção, but I still love Ai coração.I’m not certain she’ll qualify from the semi final of death, but I sure hope she does. We need this in the final.
100% she will qualify, and with a good running order she will do very well in the final I think Portugal are heading for another excellent result.
She only has to beat 5 other songs which will be a piece of cake.
portugal hasn’t something this fun and catchy since 2014 it’s so cool to see them trying something else ! i hope it brings them good luck !
How YCWCB got 0 with the televote I will never understand. Another of my favourites abandoned in the national selections. What can you do…
Ti the people saying this won’t qualify. Eastern Europe loves this kind of songs, are y’all forgetting Moldova getting 7th place in the final?
YES YES YES! (And notice I would be saying that if anyone else but daftpunksportif won) This is really good! It’s catchy, funny, and what I was hoping for Portugal to land one of these days.
I like it , it’s fun !
Let’s go Queen ??
This is actually the 5th time (out of 7!) since the start of their rebirth in 2017 that Portugal is at least in my top 3 for the contest, all editions except for 2020 and 2021, but in 2020 they also had my favorite entry of the entire season with Filipe Sambado, for example. Even further, there were 8 other entries in this year’s FdC which would have probably been in my top 5 at least for the Liverpool lineup. How have Portugal managed to reach this current level they’re operating at, which is so much higher than most other… Read more »
I think its safe to say Portugal is most peoples guilty pleasure this year.
How would you classify ”a guilty pleasure”?
Something like a royal coronation? Pomp, privilege, colonialism, wealth… etc.
Definitely not a lovely fun song like this, no guilt there whatsoever.
I usually classify ”a guilty pleasure” as a song / film that I objectively think is not of the highest quality, yet I like it nonetheless despite, or even because it’s ”bad”. Something like 100% te ljubam or Irelande Douze Pointe. But I often see saying ”guilty pleasure” when describing any lighthearted / funny / less serious song / film they like. So, I’m taking that description is consideration too. I wouldn’t call ”Ai Coracao” a guilty pleasure. It’s just a pleasure for me.
That makes sense too. I loved both recent Pinocchio movies, for example, but only one might qualify as a “guilty” pleasure.
It’s one of those songs that is not everyone’s favourite to win but you look forward to the performance and the song.
By this definition, I totally see how you’d describe it as a guilty pleasure. I personally use the term for song I think is objectively not of the highest quality, but the one I like despite or even because of that. Something like Serhat’s entries.
I don’t feel guilty at all. It’s quality.
I don’t disagree but i think everyone will have something ahead of it as their winner.
The best performer won, not the best song for me. She has an amazing voice and her theatrical interpretation is amazing. There is definitely an audience for this and I would be surprised if she did not qualify. Also super positive that Portugal sends something uptempo, for once. I still think YCWCB would be the best choice in a contest heavy on uptempo. Also the FdC was by far the best final as far as I could see and the whole show was great with all those impeccable musical moments paying homage to Liverpool pop music history. Kudos also do… Read more »
Performancewise, she and Edmundo were quite on a par, I think, so it all came down to personal taste. And Portugal had been eyeing this kind of song for so long, that it was bound to happen some time. And even if you don’t really vibe with the song – and I don’t – at least it’s not boring. It’s a gamble, but it could pay off. As for David Fonseca: I already pricked up my ears when I saw Filomena Cautela starring in one of the videos to his latest EP last year, so I was half expecting him… Read more »
Wow I see you know Portuguese music. I must agree he is not in his prime years. The 2010’s would be the time, but then no respectable musician would even consider to go to FdC. Thank God that changed. As much I would love to see him perform in FdC I could imagine he writing for somebody else. On Edmundo, he was great as well. I expect great things from him. But Mimicat had more complex dancing routines and that higher final note was epic
I wish, I know absolutely nothing about Portuguese music, I just know David Fonseca, because I stumbled across his “Between Waves” album when it came out and have been checking for his new stuff ever since.
For a reason, I feel Portugal’s entry much (much..) more than Sweden’s entry for 2023…
In between the two: Portugal:12 points, Sweden: 10 (or less)
Portugal safely in my top ten 2 years in a row. Never change.
Greece just released their song, and it’s one of the songest of all songs I’ve ever heard, wish him luck.
I just had a listen and can’t say I agree unfortunately… I wanted to root for it because he’s young but…
It’s basic ik, but then again, yall are rooting for the the UK like its some original masterpiece.
lol when did I ever do that? I mean it’s okay but UK’s only like 12th in my ranking right now xD
Cute song, although a bit repetitive, but his diction is awful – you can barely understand what he’s singing. This will suffer without juries in the semis.
It’s okay. Not my cup of tea but I guess there’s an audience for it. First semi will be very tough to qualify from. Good luck anyway.
Even a vaudeville act from the fish market is better than this. Nothing works: bad voice, bad song, and it looks like my first attempt of making curry. 100% NQ
Especially in Semi Final 1
It will struggle for sure
Interesting I would love to see a vaudeville act in a fishmarket… Have you ever? You have to tell me where to find it. Would love to see some show while I am buying my fish and veggies. On your comment, you might not like it, that is your God given right. But saying wrong things, like she has no voice is just embarrassing for you.
I am sorry I’ve upset you. It’s just a metaphor. I have never seen a vaudeville act in a fishmarket, but I read about it in Ilya Kaminsky’s Deaf Republic. I’ve expected more from Portugal and I felt unsatisfied by the result.
Don’t worry, you didn’t offend me at the slightest. That is your legitimate opinion, and let’s leave at that
Yep, average at its best
Bad voice? You need to go to hospital to check your ears ig
Oki doki. Let’s continue this conversation after the first semi. I wish Portugal all the best, but I am reserved regarding any chance of Q. Sorry, guys. I understand you like it, I don’t.
Very nice song, obrigado Portugal ! 10 out of 12
Good song, now in my TOP 10. Prediction Portugal in final , im final between 12 to 15 place.
My prediction for runnimg order I semi
1.MAL
2.LAT
3.SRB
4.POR
5.IRE
6.NOR
7.CRO
8.MOL
9.CZE
10.NET
11.SWE
12.AZE
13.FIN
14.SWI
15.ISR
Edmundo Inácio was the best. This may not even qualify, it’s a bit irritating and weird. We’ll see…
There is certainly an audience for this kind of music unfortunately this does not apply to me. But because it’s different from most entries it will certainly stand out and I think Portugal has a good chance to go to the final.
This morning Portugal dropped to 26th favorite to win at bookies, which is their weakest position. The song is interesting, ethnic, different, but after 1:00 mark it dwindles off and doesn’t know where it is going. Mimicat is charismatic, but an average singer. Staging is a mess. If they come up with a creative and memorable staging, they might go through the finals, otherwise this is 14th in the Semi 1, in front of Ireland, but behind everyone else.
It has been in that for the last days, and Slovenia is in 30th, being 1 of the best overall… so what????
Slovenia is similar. I personally like it, and I know Eurovision bubble likes it, but that doesn’t mean it will qualify.
It was in 26th long before Mimicat’s victory.
I have fallen asleep before the results came, but I’m glad that I got to see everything unspoiled on RTP Play this morning. The voting sequence was as nail-bating as I expected. That’s what you get when both juries or televoters vote fairly. Points go up and down. Huge congratulations to Mimicat! I am happy to see Portugal bringing something energetic and lighthearted this year. I love their gentle and layered ballads and ethnic songs, but just to show that Portugal has everything, this is great! The only downside is that The First Semi just became *even harded*, and I… Read more »
Amazing night. Loreen and Mimicat together. The best choice for and from Portugal. Really want them in the final <3
Well here’s my top 5 after this
1.Portugal
2.Israel
3.France
4.Moldova
5.Slovenia
Oh and sweden is in 6 for yall wondering
And Austria is 7th now…
Agree with 4 of them, I replace Israel by Austria though
Or Spain
Forca Portugal !! Great song, charisma, very theatrical and I love it !
For me, its easy in Final. Thanks !!
Wow! and to think that the NF season is over, time does fly!
We’ve just got 4 entry reveals left, any news about them?
Greece just dropped. Meh…
Just saw that, and I feel appalled, even though I liked the message :/
Very good choice. It’s quality and totally stands out. Portugal deserves to qualify.
People on the Eurovision Scoreboard app once again underestimate Portugal. How is Ai Coraçao only 15th?
Cause its mostly gays who stan girlbops and don’t appreciate cultural stuff like this.
Idk whether they are gays, but the girl bop part is most likely accurate.
I didn’t know Finland send a girlpop this year lol, then why spain is in top 10 too? Don’t be ridiculous
It’s cabaret, it’s unique, fun, great performance, good song pace and very sassy! It’s so enjoyable to watch really stands out from other generic songs! Portugal did well!
I like it, but probably NQ.
The song is great and will do at least fine, don’t write it off pls
I loved saudade, this year I am not a fan of Portugals song..
That’s a decent song, rather different from others. I still feel there is something missing from making it extra interesting and unique. Tough times ahead for Portugal, qualification is at stake. Good luck, Portugal!
Why did the juries get 2 sets of 12 points
The juries gave their rankings – when combined, the top 10 songs would then be allocated 1-8/10/12 points. But because the top two songs drew for rankings from the jury, both received 12 points and no one received 10 points.
A really fun, cabaret-like entry. When it comes to this sort of entries I kinda lean towards the more serious and sensual ones (like last year’s Monika Liu) rather than the upbeat, danceable ones but Mimicat is not bad at all. She will comfortably enter my top 10 for now I think.
Really hard to tell if this will qualify or not!
Great choice Portugal, her song was in my head since the day I’ve heard it (and I don’t even speak Portuguese). Possible top 10/top 5 for sure if not higher
Congratulations Portugal ! Douze points from France ??
Winer vibes