After openly supporting her “Birds” backing vocalist after Eurovision, Anouk is reportedly producing a song for Shirma Rouse, who is now competing in “The Voice of Holland”. And, during a recent live performance on a Dutch radio show, she again let Shirma take center stage.

Shirma Rouse, who did not go unnoticed on the Eurovision stage (she was, together with her fellow back-up singers Ricardo Burgrust and Yerry Rellum, the recipient of the Eurovision Times award for best back-up singers of the show), is Anouk’s first choice to represent the Netherlands in Copenhagen next year: “She is fantastic. It is not normal to be so good. She has a very good presence, she’s really a sweetheart and very likeable,” the Dutch singer said about her colleague. Although virtually unknown in her country before Malmö, Shirma Rouse is now emerging as a star.

She is, however, very modest. Although she definitely does not need to prove her talent any longer, she is now competing in the talent show “The Voice of Holland”. Here she is at the blind auditions, where she wowed the public and managed to convince three judges before she even finished the first line of the song “Imagine”.

Heel veel succes, Shirma! Let’s hope that judge Ilse DeLange, who turned her seat last, doesn’t hold a grudge on Anouk’s shade.

This week, Shirma accompanied her BFF once again, on the Dutch radio show Evers Staat Op, where Anouk performed  “I Won’t Play That Game”, her new song “Wigger”, “Nobody’s Wife”, “Pretending As Always” and “Jerusalem”, and left Shirma sing as main vocalist for “Heaven Knows” (at the 19:07 mark):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmvAjSovkGU

After Armin van Buuren pulled out from the ESC 2014 race, Shirma Rouse is now the only known potential choice for Dutch national broadcaster TROS, should they opt for an internal selection. And, with Anouk’s backing and song, I’d say they would be crazy to say no. But weirder things have happened with the Netherlands at Eurovision, so you never know…

It’s not the first time that a former back-up singer takes center stage at Eurovision: Aliona Moon from Moldova, who was one of Pasha Parfeny’s back-up vocalists in Baku, returned to Eurovision with his song one year later. But is modest Shirma indeed a strong contender, not just an undeniably powerful voice? Is she able to carry the Netherlands to the Final, like Anouk did? I’m guessing that’s what TROS is wondering as well. What do you think?

Bogdan Honciuc is a Romania-based correspondent for WiwiBloggs.com.
You can follow him on Twitter @stingovision.

Photo: www.thevoiceofholland.com

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Maikel
Maikel
10 years ago

I would be so proud if she represent our country in Copenhagen.. She has a HUGE voice!!! And with a song written by Anouk, the Netherlands are already in the final!

joey
joey
10 years ago

well, if la paybas will want to do well in ESC2014, they should produce a not boring and snoozefest song like BIRDS!!!! nuff said!!!

Eurovisiondco
Eurovisiondco
10 years ago

Btw I have to mention it , I just love pretending as always by anouk .. Even more than birds ..

Eurovisiondco
Eurovisiondco
10 years ago

She is a true talent and comes across as very like-able indeed .. However we all know that across Europe an more so in the east people are horrible an cruel to contestants the believe are not “European” you only have to read the disgusting comments toward Norway entry haba haba from 2011 on YouTube .. Their backward views could cost her points if she entered

. I would love to see her sing a powerful, quality soulful song..
Anouk could produce something less polarizing than “birds” ( which is my 2013 favorite ) but with the same originality ..

Sekhmet Morgan
10 years ago

ps: you mentioned Aliona Moon, but Hera Bjork and Maya Sar also did backings the year before they participated 😉

Sekhmet Morgan
10 years ago

Thanks for the little nod to Eurovision Times and the Frida Awards (the Frida for best backing was also mentioned recently on Esctoday!)