He recently took France back to the Top 10 at Eurovision for the first time since 2009.
But that was only the beginning for French singer Amir, who will perform alongside other French superstars — including Kendji Girac and Louane Emera — as part of the opening ceremony of Euro 2016.
French television network TF1 revealed the news on Monday.
The line-up also includes Christophe Mae, Florent Pagny, Soprano, Slimane and David Guetta, who will perform a special show later in the evening.
It seems that France’s Eurovision 2016 star is keen to get physical ahead of his performance, as he has uploaded a series of Instagram pics that show him getting sweaty with a personal trainer and wearing workout gear.
On Tuesday he posted a pic which sees him lifting a kettle bell with one arm as he grimaces and thrusts.
He later captioned the photo “No pain no gain!”
In another pic posted last week, he wears workout bands on each elbow and a form-fitting, sleeveless top, which shows off his gym-honed arms and sculpted shoulders.
TF1 has described the opening as a “tricolor” affair, given the presence of French artists. But in the spirit of Eurovision they are building bridges elsewhere.
Other acts performing include Englishman Julian Perretta, Norwegian band Madcon, Swedish singer Zara Larsson (who is currently competing in the First Semi Final of Wiwivision 2016) and American artist Will.I.Am.
All the action kicks off on Thursday, June 9 at 20:55 CET on the Champ de Mars, the splendid greenspace at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. You can catch the action on TF1.
I can`t watch this ceremony in live but I`m going to record this event. I must see Amir:)
This is huge, first time a Eurovision artist enjoys big success in France after the contest and with the Eurovision song. The French broadcaster should be careful next year and pick another great artist/song.
Kendji would be a dream but i am not sure he wants to take the pressure.. Amir wasn’t famous before ESC, Kendji is a big star already
So happy for him!
This is fantastic news, he deserves this.
There is always a reward for honesty and authenticity when you conquer the people’s attention and respect for who you are and the music you do … Amir was the best metaphor of “less is more” in the crazy over the top world of Eurovision and it has been all worth it … sadly some other countries have a hard time understanding what that means.
What a change for Eurovision in France! Currently, the Eurovision singers are not followed after their participation but since last year it’s very different in France. Last year Loïc Nottet (who represent Belgium in Vienna) participated and won “Dance with the stars” and this year, Amir at Euro 2016 (the biggest event in France for years).
I hope Amir performance time is as important as Farid Mammadov’ s in Euro Games
“In another pic posted last week, he wears workout bands on each elbow and a form-fitting, sleeveless top, which shows off his gym-honed arms and sculpted shoulders”
He’s not doing gym. It’s for a french popular TV show called “Fort Boyard”, broadcasted during the summer.
Anyway, his song is a smash hit here in France. And he’s invited in every concert, tv show or radio broadcast. I’ve never seen that for a french representative.
I’m so proud of Amir! In the month since he dazzled in Stockholm, his song shot to the top of the French radio play chart and now he’s part of the Euro 2016 opening festivities! I’m so thankful to Eurovision and France 2 for introducing me to this amazing person, he deserves all the success in the world
The “opening ceremony” is on June 10 a few minutes before the opening match France-Roumanie. The TF1 big show under the Eiffel Tower is not the opening ceremony! It’s totally different. The opening ceremony is in the Stade de France and organized by UEFA . The TF1 show is organized on June 9 by Paris, the day before beginning of the competition.
Sorry for my english 😉
It’s great to see that France is respecting/taking interest in their representative in Eurovision(before and after) something they haven’t done in years! I hope they keep it up for the years to come. Take note Spain, UK