He’s charmed the bookies and emerged as one of the favourites to win Eurovision 2016.
And on Friday France’s Amir cast his spell on wiwibloggs when we met up for a chat in Amsterdam ahead of Eurovision in Concert 2016.
Wearing a black leather jacket with quilted detailing on the shoulders, he looked every inch the pop star as he sounded off on everything from his song “J’ai cherché” to his Turkish-Romanian wife.
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Happy and very chatty, Amir and his team took their time when deciding whether “J’ai cherché” was right for Eurovision.
They tested the water for several weeks before making a public reveal.
“We let the song live by itself for two months, and after many radios in France took it and played it and the public liked it, then we announced the Eurovision and it gave another layer of good reactions to the song.”
Despite the bookies’ love for him, the 31-year-old star is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“Yesterday we released the English version of the song and to be honest I never expected that my music will get to so many ears and receive so much love for what I’m doing, especially after I only started two years ago, so I’m so happy.”
“I keep on working every day to bring the best that I can bring on May 14.”
“It’s a risk both for the artist, but I think especially for the country. You need to understand that you’re representing a nation in front of a whole continent. And the image of a nation in front of a continent is important and it can sometimes be tarnished by a bad or a disappointing performance. I wouldn’t like to be the one that is bringing this disappointment to my country in front of Europe. I don’t want to shame my people.”
Amir also spoke about his multicultural background. Born to a French-Tunisian father and a Spanish-Moroccan Israeli mother, growing up Amir says he and his siblings were “influenced by all those colours and customs.” His Turkish-Romanian wife adds to the mix, and Amir also has a sister in London.
The bookies’ favourite explained that while he’d try to do his best at Eurovision, his main goal was to “just to have fun in order to keep the best memories. I can come to Eurovision also to have fun and to consider it as an entertaining episode in my life. And this is the best way to have the best things to give my grandsons one day.” Awww…
Amir is so cute 😉
http://guysofeurovision.tumblr.com/post/140210062701/welcome-amir-bienvenue-france
@MS
Have you got any adequate reasons to say what you say, or it’s just your emotions for arguing?
Thank you Andrey (from Russia), we can exactly say the same for the Russian song:” it is good for dancing somewhere in small clubs and in the streets, but not for great glamour Eurovision show. So, you should take it into account.”
So many jealous people here especially from Russia.
He definitely deserves to win…
What a kind person he is!
Maybe Amir has a nice smile, but Eurovision contest is not about this; it needs to be a GREAT GLAMOUR SHOW which people will see all over the world and for what it is loved by its fans and most of the other people.
France’s and Spain’s songs and both artists are rather likeable, but their songs are so usual – not for winning; they are good for dancing somewhere in small clubs and in the streets, but not for great glamour Eurovision show. So, you should take it into account.
The hype entry of this year. We always have one. \_( º .º)_/
I think Amir’s popularity will continue to grow as we head to Stockholm. His song has risen into my Top 10 now.
If Amir can convey his positivity, he is likely to outshine other countries’ special effects & win the competition.
Except the last high note, Amir live was really great, and peoples seems to have enjoyed the song, now he has 1 month to work, i really think he can progress 😉
For him (and the others) only the jury live and the big final is important. I will juge him (and again the others) when the reherseal of the final will start.
Anton he had no problem with the pitch at all. At some points he struggled with his strenght, but the pitch was on point. But why does that matter anyway? Haha!
Okey what is it you base that on? That you need a whole packade to win Eurovision? That’s not true. The last couple of years has shown us that what you have to do is to be RIGHT IN TIME. France and Sweden is very current this year and that will appeal to the audience.
Loo, and you have no ear if you do not hear his pitch problems. The song itself is not bad, but not something special. And for the high place on the Eurovision you must have a total package. I just think Amir has some lack of it. If Amir will be the favourite I don’t mind at all. I think that all that favoritism is a lot pressure for the artists and may become a heel of Achilles.
Anton you obviously has no sense for musicality.
It’s so funny to look around at YT and other sites now and see how all Sergey-fans are trying their best to deny France now. It’s too late people, the momentum builds and in May Amir will be the favorite to win. Amir is showing emotions and that’s what will appeal to people. Sergey is very talented as well and deserves all this recognition.Yes, the song is a bit dated but still it’s a good song. However, he feels like a robot on stage. That might hurt him.
“Amir is sticky like a fly and I don’t like it, it’s too much!”
And your Sergey is an ice cube on stage. He transmits no emotions at all.
In the last couple of days, I saw a lot of Sergey fans criticizing the french song for no reason. Someone even said that France shouldn’t win because of the Paris attacks.
Do they fear that Amir could actually win ?
marie
I like many other songs and performers, like Kaliopi, Zoe, Justs, Francheska and others. But Amir is not among them.
MS
Yes, and that’s a problem. He can’t sing even simple song, his pitch is awful.
Amir is sticky like a fly and I don’t like it, it’s too much!
Ms Hi! I am not asking you to vote for anybody) That’s you right whats like/not like of course. But I already watched on instagram and that’s another reason why I have this opinion. Of course we’ll see in may. But right now things look exactly this way.
And btw, he did much better live performance weeks ago. So there’s still room for improvement.
Jylia it’s your point of view and it’s biased.Don’t think that you’re always right.
you know;, in France, artists who are at the final ot The voice know singing.They aren’t just at the final because they have a beautiful smile, so watch some of his videos and you will see that he sings very well.
I’m sorry, I’m not going to vote for Russia because you think it’s a masterpiece and France not.
I love the French song , Amir is a very good artist with a personality.And he will do well on May 14th. Be sure of that !
All songs here are pop. And yes, of course, it’s not “power ballad” but he can’t handle even this. Try to be more unbiased. We all have our sympathies but you can’t ignore reality. He is a nice person but that’s not what this competition about))
For those who say that Amir has weak vocals: his song is not a power ballad , it’s a pop song.so YOU DON’T NEED TO SHOUT to have a great voice.I heard him live and his voice is really good. so some of you don’t know what to say to criticize France. He’s really good and has an excellent presence on stage. When I watched the video in Amsterdam,I SAW A VERY EXCITED AUDIENCE, WHICH WAS SINGING AND DANCING DURING HIS SONG and applauded more than on the other songs!I don’t think that the audience has bad tastes!! for those… Read more »
Does a sensitive and so charming person need wolves and firewoks to bring me happiness ? No ! I love his song, i love Amir with his qualities and defects. Amir, veux tu m’épouser ? (Amir, would u mary me ?) ????
Best smile of 2016
Surprised by the weak vocals this guy has, after watching him live in Amsterdam. It’s a shame because he has a fantastic song.
He also doesn’t look very expressive on stage. I think this is due to his kind personality. Maybe he’s too good of a person that he lacks the fire great artists have.
France will not win this year .He can’t sing and and stands on the stage like a tree .A typical song for radio , nothing new and unusual.
After Eurovision in Concert tonight I would say France is the frontrunner.
Yeas. He is nice but his live vocal is just weak. And he has no energy or drive on stage. Love France, but there are much stronget songs & performers. But good luck anyway!)
Here comes the hate! Bring it on people! The more you hate, the more momentum France builds.
France is in it to win this year.
For me, it’s either France or Sweden 😀
I enjoyed the interview a lot, William! Amir seems like a genuinely sweet and down-to-earth person and I cannot get his song out of my head – I’ve been playing it at least once a day for the last few days! My senses tell me that if his positive momentum keeps growing and he lays down a solid performance in Stockholm, France will really have something to cheer about
The more some of you criticize , the more I will love Amir and the more I will vote for him.Thank you!
Good happy song but Russia and Sweden are better.
Seems, Amir is a nice person, but he’s too modest. Certainly, it’s very good for an ordinary lifestyle, but not for staying on stage – especially at Eurovision, where thousands of people in the huge hall and millions at their TV sets all over the world are staring at you.
So, definitely he’s a nice guy and a talented singer, but he is not a great stage performer and, or course. he is not a star like Sergey Lazarev. And if there won’t be anything bad with the Sergey’s health again, Amir wouldn’t be able to overcome Sergey.
He’s adorable. France deserves the top 5 at the very least. I would like them to win the whole thing!
@nn: So in your world no one should be smiling I presume otherwise “fake” is the only label they get …
Hopefully and if miracles are meant to be believed (as Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston once sang) then not only music will win Eurovision but also humility will get its share of the winning. And Amir deserves it … great musicians should always be great human beings – and let’s hope Amir does not faint on stage LOL
I’M JEALOUS!!!
He ‘s so cute,humble and true.This is my winner.
You’re really lucky William!!
Sometimes life is not fair!
France 2016 is remind me on Malta 2013 , same fake smile….
OMG! that face! I love the song, but seriously, Amir makes me melt! Plus, not to mention it looks like he gives the most AMAZING hugs! So jealous of you William! If anything though, i am really glad that there isn’t a clear cut favorite this year when it comes to the songs in the contest. I think France has a chance to win it all!
Oh William, naughty girl!
I could listen to him for hours. Amazing person. And well done, William!
William is ur teeth original have you had any orthodontic treatmens or surgeries?
In response to “This is my opinion (TIMO)”:
You do know that Amir wrote the song even before Måns was on Melodifestivalen?
yes Timo, wiwibloggs is obsessed with Amir
And so are we, deal with it
Oh man, this dude is great! He is the type of guy who you would like To hang Out with!
HE’S SO SWEET AND HUMBLE OMG and his voice is really beautiful, as always. I really like his smile and expression while he answers William’s questions!
I’m so jealous of you, William >__<)// I really want to be a part of Amir Family lol. His English is much better than me! Even I can't vote for him (well, I'm from Indonesia), but I really wish the best for him. He's my number 1 now!
TIMO are you still reading Wiwibloggs? 😛
Amir is just how a man should be, he is so humble ! :O (This is coming from a straight guy)
Amir is pop-version of Sébastien Tellier
It’s incredible to see how people can be jealous M Anton and This is my opinion ????????????????????????????
William, thanks for the interview. A bit more than 17 minutes of joy. Amir is very nice and pleasant person. Although France is number 7 my top i wish him all the best and will be happy if he win.