After much speculation and an early leak, the first act of 2017 has been confirmed. Cyprus broadcaster CyBC has confirmed that Hovig Demirjian will represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2017.
The 27-year-old Cypriot of Armenian heritage — who goes by the stage name Hovig — will perform a song written by the Swedish Eurovision maestro Thomas G:Son. This won’t be the first time G:Son has worked with Cyprus — he co-wrote Minus One’s 2016 entry “Alter Ego”. Hovig’s song for Kyiv will be released at a later date.
Hovig was a contestant on The X Factor Greece in 2009, the same year as Ivi Adamou. Over the series, he demonstrated himself as a versatile performer with strong rock vocals, able to deliver upbeat songs as well as emotional ballads, in both English and in Greek. He eventually placed seventh on the show.
Hovig has made two previous attempts at representing his country at Eurovision. In 2010, he made it to the national final with his upbeat dance number “Goodbye”, which placed third-equal.
In 2015, Hovig competed in the Cyprus national final The Eurovision Song Project, with his song “Stone in a River”. He eventually placed fourth, but given that runners-up Minus One had their chance at Eurovision the year after, perhaps it’s no surprise that CyBC are drawing on the talent pool of the 2015 national final.
Following yesterday’s leak of Hovig’s name, wiwibloggs readers weighed in on the news, with mixed opinions:
Mario = Legend: “He was my favourite on 2015. How only fourth? Would be great choice.”
mocosuburbian: “okay I appreciated ‘Stone in a River,’ but not thaaaaat much. i feel cyprus is going to regret this”
ROMANIA: “if this news is true will be good choice for Cyprus , this singer is not bad , so Cyprus can make ESC Final again”
ct_greece: “A very boring choice if true, in line with Cyprus’ limited ambitions of squeaking into the final and nothing more (and even that may be a little too ambitious for Hovig).”
Cyprus’ best result in the past decade was Ivi Adamou whose “La La Love” placed 16th in 2012. In other years, when Cyprus has qualified for the final, it has placed down the bottom end of the scoreboard.
What do you think? Is Hovig a good choice for Cyprus? Can he give Cyprus a good result? Share your thoughts below!
I think Thomas G:son is digging his own grave. He could have become one of the best songwriters at Eurovision cowriting Euphoria and Pastoras master piece but he’s everywhere nowadays with mediocre songs. He will be the new Ralph Siegel soon.
🙂 That’s cool William. I anyways think your energy in the videos is very infectious and make the videos interesting.
another thing: he kinda looks like Vaidas Baumila
I hope he goes for an uptempo number like Cyprus did in 2012. But Cyprus this hear was amazing too.
So…. 12 points from Armenia then?
I can see him land a top 20 finish IF the countries in the Eurovision with the most Armenian diaspora goes on full-force voting for him along with Armenia. And add in Greece as well which bloc votes with Cyprus.
oh hey it’s me
@Robyn Gallagher ‘Hovig Star’
EXACTLY what I thought Haha
He has very boring music for me…I dont like the choice at all
Even Leontas would be better
(but yes william…he has great voice)
He will definitely get the 12 from Armenia.
I hope he gets a good song, something upbeat and modern.
Challenge for william ….can you make one video/article without using the words slay , realness and without the finger snap!! Want to see if taking them away reduces the fun of the video :B
Lol, yet another swedish song for Cyprus. I knew it from the minute I heard they chose him. And of course all they are hoping for is squeak in the final and then crash and burn, just like the previous two years.
I don’t want to wish them ill, but for blindly following such a boring recipe they seriously don’t deserve to qualify this year.
Don’t know about him so I won’t comment, but Thomas G:Son usually can do something good, and I hope he does.
Alter Ego really surprise me in a good way, they deserved more! Let’s what Cyprus can bring this year.
Good choice.
@DenizNL why is it exciting? 5% of Cyprus population are Armenians.
Eurovision 2017 is kicking off! Yaaaaaayyyyyyyyy! 😀
By the way, his name reminds me of Hovi Star too. 😀
Don’t know about him so as usually I wait for the song.
But if G:son is involved then I assume the song will be good and final-worthy. G:son is a skilled songwriter, never does a bad job.
An Armenian representing Cyprus? Very interesting and exciting.
Apparently, Cyprus is very excited. But I don’t feel the hype yet so I’ll stay tune in the next few months.
So exciting that the ESC 2017 season has officially begun!!
Since I don’t know the artist, I’m not going to judge.
Let’s wait for the song
(Btw, wasn’t it reported that Netherlands would’ve revealed their artist by now)
Yaaay 2017 eurovision has oficially started
Yes! I loved Stone in a River. I’ll be very happy to see him in Eurovison next year. Hopefully Thomas G:Son will write a good song!