Eurovision 2016 is all about coming together so it’s more than a perfect time for Sandhja to represent Finland in this year’s contest. Wiwibloggs talked to Sandhja about her multicultural roots, her surprise UMK win, the message of her song — and she demonstrated her amazing dance moves.
While Sandja was born in Finland, she has Caribbean roots as her mother was originally from Guyana and of Indian decent. Sandhja is very proud of her roots and has visited South America 12 times. The mix of different cultural backgrounds makes her “feel like a world citizen”.
Sandhja at Israel Calling – Interview
Sandhja wasn’t among the big favourites to win Finland’s Eurovision selection Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, but she won the juries and the public over with her bubbly image and catchy song. As the points started to come in, Sandhja still tried to stay humble. When her points started rolling in, Sandhja says “I didn’t dare to look at the other contestants because I felt so embarrassed.”
Sandhja says she only was in UMK for the ride and to have a good time. She believes people saw the joy and the energy and voted for her because of that. She also think it’s important for Finland to have a multicultural representative at this time where there is lots of racism.
Sandhja at Israel Calling – live performance
Israel’s preview party was the first time Sandhja did some promo outside Finland, but she has a good reason for that. She has been busy recording her second album Freedom Venture, which is coming out just before Eurovision on April 29.
Sandhja and Finland will open this year’s contest by performing first in the first semifinal. Sandhja will serve as a ambassador for Finnish design and rocked the red carpet wearing Finnish brands such as Bohem, Katri Niskanen and Nannanda by Hanna Ruax. She also promises that we will see Finnish design on the Eurovision stage — made of reindeer suede!
I love Sing It Away so much. It really lifts me up and puts a spring in my step. Which is why it pains me so much that Sandhja’s live performances of this song have all been so mediocre so far. She struggles a lot vocally, consistently missing the high notes and even a number of the lower notes. I don’t think this song can qualify without a stunning performance, and I just don’t see that happening. Shame.
Sandhja you’re fab and your song is the best!! Even Hovi said its his favourite song…”Sing it away Finland!!”
@LoveWave
Barei doesn’t annoy me, that sounds more like a world cup football song, which is a good thing for me
Spain has a good song this year
and Greta is a very talented singer, only her song does remind me much of a mixed version of Heroes and Euphoria, otherwise she’s a good singer
Barei’s Say Yay i would score that a well deserved 9/10
@Nicky91 I assume Say Yay! and Hear Them Calling annoy you as well then?
@Hollandique
yeah but it’s so annoying, i want something in my head what i like, instead of something what annoys me hahahahahahaha
@nicky91 but that parts stuck in your head now right!?
almost forgot i find her voice annoying with her song Sing it Away
so my score would be 3.5/10
well Sandhja is a very positive bubbly person, you can say that
however her song is way too boring, it’s like the Netherlands got the same lyric slow down brother 100 times, and she has got the lyric Sing it Away 100 times, it gets boring hearing the same lyrics over and over again
does anyone understand what i’m saying 🙂