Luminita Anghel has been one of the most discussed names in Romania’s Selectia Nationala 2015. Today, before performing in Craiova, she faced the members of Wiwi Jury. Did she shine like the million stars in her song title? Read on to find out…

David: This starts out with a beautiful building instrumental, followed by a voice so beautiful it is heavenly. The song carries you upward transporting you into its world. She owns you by the end of the song, and then gently sets you free. This will make the top 5 in the final and Romania is nuts if they don’t send it.

Score: 10/10

Deban: Luminita Anghel may no longer have youth on her side, but she excels in her craft, and has gained a loyal fanbase since representing Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005. “A Million Stars” ticks all the right boxes, and does everything a good ballad should. It pitches a romantic idea and carries the listener through the peaks and valleys. It is memorable without being cheesy, varied in texture without being overdone.

Score: 9/10

Francheska: Luminita, let me tell you why Europe loved you in 2005, eons ago in the music industry: “Let Me Try” was cool. The drums thing was wicked. The problem with “A Million Stars” is that it’s so manufactured. It’s part-guitar ballad, part dubstep-ballad, and 100% unnatural. I don’t doubt that she can sing, and she clearly has soul, but it does not translate well (read: makes my eardrums want to cry). Try again soon, but bring those drum shoes.

Score: 3/10

Iñaki: After the initial shock with Luminita trying to be Enya, I can say that this song is an amalgam of sound effects that have been successful in the festival, like a high note in the end, a spectacular bridge before the last chorus, and a mixture of modern beats with traditional sounds. Unfortunately, it is a failed mixture.

Score: 4/10

Josh: This song starts off quite pleasantly. However the electro-pop in the chorus feels disjointed and out of place. I think an orchestral melody would’ve been far more appropriate. However, the song is beautiful, Luminita’s voice is outstanding and it’s definitely one of the standouts in Romania this year.

Score: 7.5/10

Kristin: This is so beautiful! Luminita is an amazing singer and the song just blew me away the second it started. I have this softy soft romantic side to me (don’t tell) and that side is just loving this from beginning to end. I would not mind seeing this in Vienna. Not at all. Now I’m waiting for the epic video, starring the tall, dark and handsome stranger and white horses running in slow motion.

Score: 10/10

Louis: Fantastic! Luminata has an incredible voice and it completely suits this song. Some great chord progressions and those impressive sustained high notes will get the crowd on her side. At first, I was disappointed when it became more than just the simple instrumental backing as it started off good, but it gives it some extra ‘spice’ and keeps it interesting until the end.

Score: 9/10

Luis: Luminita, darling, adding some cheap dubstep to an ’80s song doesn’t make it modern. It’s not bad, but this can’t be the follow up to the amazingness of ‘Let Me Try’. Getting what ‘A Million Stars’ is when you’re hoping for a killer song is no good at all. And we’re full of ballads this year, so better luck next time…

Score: 5/10

Max: Having discovered the wonderful world of Eurovision in 2007 I never had the pleasure of following this lady on her first journey in 2005. She seems like a lovely person with an incredible talent and her 3rd place was well deserved back then, but coming back with this song… No, it’s just not right. It doesn’t show off her vocals, just makes them sound shouty and annoying on the ear. It’s a pretty little ballad, but nothing more.

Score: 4/10

Patrick: I expected a lot more. First thought – she won’t win! Sadly it’s a bit boring and nothing like her song in 2005! Luminita will probably surprise us with the live performance but without seeing it, I wouldn’t like it that much…

Score: 5/10

Luminita Anghel predicted winner 2015

Robyn: The delicate verses lead to an epic chorus and Luminita’s voice handles it all. There’s a solid and dramatic ending (which so many national final songs lack) and I can see this working really well as a live performance. The only problem – it’s such a Eurovision song. It doesn’t feel like it would have any life after Vienna.

Score: 7/10

Sami: I adore her voice, but this song isn’t just anything special. It’s forgottable and boring. It reminds me a little of “Wild Soul”, but it’s much worse. I really hope Romania doesn’t send this to Vienna, as I believe this wouldn’t get them to the final.

Score: 3.5/10

Sopon: If I could describe Luminita in a word, that word would be “sweet”. She’s one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of talking to and she loves her fans to death. Her song is also something I would call “sweet”. Despite her previous legal troubles, she has certainly risen from the ashes and is the brightest of those million stars. Certainly a Disney ballad filled with sugar, but a high-quality one, and a great Romanian entry for Vienna.

Score: 10/10

The highest and lowest scores have been removed before calculating the final scores to avoid bias. We have removed a high of 10 and a low of 3.

The Wiwi Jury Verdict: 6.7/10

You can read all of our reviews and rankings for Selectia Nationala 2015 by clicking here. You can also keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team from wiwibloggs.com on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.

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Oostenrijk
Oostenrijk
9 years ago

Just terrible

Kratos
Kratos
9 years ago

Luminita the best !BUCHAREST 2016!!!!

Mario ~ My Illuminati Vision of Gay Love ~ *Let Me Try* Don't Wanna Say GoodBye ~ Im *Unique* & One In A Million Star!
Mario ~ My Illuminati Vision of Gay Love ~ *Let Me Try* Don't Wanna Say GoodBye ~ Im *Unique* & One In A Million Star!
9 years ago

Even if my dear Luminita does win tonight she should try 4 sure 4 a 4th time in future {possibly even next year if she finds the right song 4 her} and hopefully it will be her lucky time so that she will represent Romania 4 once again in Vision…:) Its a fair deal 4 someone to go to Vision at least 4 one more 2nd time.. 🙂 Who knows really…She can be the one that will get the maiden debut victory 4 Romania! <3 🙂 If Romania wins the Euro Vision Luminita 4 sure is the perfect hostess to… Read more »

Mario ~ My Diamond Vision of Gay Love ~ We Are All Illuminati
Mario ~ My Diamond Vision of Gay Love ~ We Are All Illuminati
9 years ago

Beautiful song but its my least liked from her 3 past ones…Let Me Try / Unique..
But its still very nice of course..
Its not my no1 most favorite but its from my favorites though.. 🙂
She really had to win with *Unique* & represent Romania in Malmo’s Vision instead of Cezar and his trashy ”song”..! What a waste really 4 her to not win with such diamond 4 a song.. <3
I'm wishing to dear Luminita good luck 4 tonight anyway 🙂

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

Woah, opinions as polarised as these are not too common in the Jury.

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

One word: meh