Luisa Sobral Salvador Eurovision 2017

On Sunday Portugal’s Salvador Sobral revealed that his ongoing health problems would force him to miss his first two rehearsals at Eurovision 2017, and that he would dispatch his sister to assess the lighting and sound in his place.

And on Monday Big Sis and “Amar Pelos Dois” composer Luísa Sobral told wiwibloggs exactly why as she spoke with us at the official launch of the Festival da Canção CD inside the FNAC music store in swanky Chiado.

“There are two rehearsals, but they have three or four days in between,” she explained. “It’s a whole week. Because of my brother’s health condition he cannot be away for that long.”

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“He has his health team that is here in Portugal, so he cannot leave for that long. We talked to the Eurovision committee and they said that it was okay if I would do the first two rehearsals — they are more lighting and sound — and it’s OK if I’m there and sing for him and they can see if everything is right with the visuals.”

“I am the one that usually decides on the visuals. I really like that stuff too.”

Initially she thought it strange that she would attend press conferences on her brother’s behalf.

“[I said], ‘It’s weird that I’m going to answer some stuff for my brother.’ But they said, ‘No, no — they know that it’s you so they’re going to ask stuff that’s meant for you and not your brother.'”

“He’s going to come to do the really important rehearsals. The ones that people already vote. We just figure that two weeks were too much for him to be away without his medical team.”

Salvador’s victory in Portugal catapulted the country up the oddstable to win Eurovision 2017, and he remains fourth favourite now.

Luísa says she doesn’t check the ratings, nor does she buy into them.

“Sometimes you’re in fourth and then suddenly you end up on like 30th and then you get really disappointed,” she says. “I don’t really look at those things…I don’t think we should rely on that. I think it’s a blank slate. He’s going to perform and [the audience] are probably going to react to that performance.”

And while she’s tuning out that hype, she is reading all of your tweets and Facebook posts.

“Thank you very much for all your very nice messages,” she says — and in a way that shows she means it. “It’s really great to see that even though our song is in Portuguese a lot of people react to the song and to the melody and the way he sings it.”

“We know that music has no language, really. It’s a feeling thing. And it has been really nice to see that that’s true, so thank you very much for your support.”

Are you loving Luísa as much as we are? Do you now see precisely why the song has such a tender feeling? And what is your message for Salvador and his big sis? Let us know in the comments box below!

*BUY THE SALVADOR SOBRAL EUROVISION T-SHIRT

*BUY THE SALVADOR SOBRAL PHONE CASE

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PP
PP
7 years ago

On RTE site for eurovison we can see some photos and short video from some show from TVE, with some eurovision singer 2017 , Manel from Spain, Salvador from Portugal, Norma from Finland and Tijana from Serbia.

Tanja
Tanja
7 years ago

#salvadorable

hilary daniels
hilary daniels
7 years ago

why isnt france getting any mention,their song is awsome and desreves to win over italy,bulgaria and portugal.also netherlands,belgium,israel and switzerland,uk are all good songs.

Raisa Salomon
Raisa Salomon
7 years ago
Reply to  hilary daniels

Mentions about Alma: 4, 12, 13 and 15 April. Not bad!

Tanja
Tanja
7 years ago
Reply to  hilary daniels

Because only he is #salvadorable

François Lemain
François Lemain
7 years ago

Talent, communication, sympathy and charisma. Here lies the beauty of these two. For the first time we are realizing in The ESC that a masterpiece also includes its composer.

Mes douze mille points pour le Portugal.

K.
K.
7 years ago

honestly that is so odd that his sister is involved in everything. Basically we hear about her more than Salvador himself. Strange. Makes me wanna avoid them even more.

François Lemain
François Lemain
7 years ago
Reply to  K.

When musical compositions are of a very high level, as is the case, the composer should never be eclipsed, however good the performer may be, as is the case. In addition, Luísa helps her brother whose health problems are very conditioning.

As for the rest, I believe that the media are realizing that the winner is here … Incidentally, all the news about Italy is starting to decline in interest.

L’ Art finit toujours par s’imposer… C’est comme la verité.

Hada
Hada
7 years ago
Reply to  K.

Why do you find it odd?

Lola
Lola
7 years ago
Reply to  K.

I personally think it’s how it should be.. without her the song wouldn’t exist..heck..Eurovision wouldn’t exist without the writers and composers.. isn’t ESC supposed to be about music ? so the writers have as much right as the singers to get the limelight.. they should get even more in my opinion 🙂

RDG
RDG
7 years ago
Reply to  K.

K.: He’s probably not able (or confortable enough) to be giving several interviews. He seems to choose specific moments to talk, when he probably won’t get exhausted. But Portugal also knows the bad side of not putting any effort in promotion, so, in my opinion, that is probably why Luisa is stepping up and helping with that. We shouldn’t jump on things and immediately look at them with a cynical view. No reason for that.

Dinara Ungareanu
Dinara Ungareanu
7 years ago

1) 2012, she becomes the third Portuguese artist to perform on the Jools Holland program, presenting songs of her own and sharing the stage with Melody Gardot. 2)Still in 2012 she recorded with Alejandro Sanz (Bailo Con Vos) and David Fonseca (It Shall Pass). 3) In 2016 she edited “Luísa”. The album was recorded in Los Angeles at the legendary United Recording Studios, where historical names like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Jay-Z, Radiohead or U2 had already recorded. At the helm of production was Joe Henry, winner of 3 Grammy Awards, which in addition to a solid career… Read more »

Vítor Jardim
Vítor Jardim
7 years ago

Portugal’s best place ever in a final it was in 1996 our 1997 (6th place) with Lucia Muniz – Meu Coração não tem cor (my hear don’t have colour)

Linda
Linda
7 years ago
Reply to  Vítor Jardim

It was i 1996 in Norway. In 1997 those two countries ended with 0 points!

Cemil
Cemil
7 years ago

Pedro Goncalves was butchered by the jury just because his english lyrics. The Sobral Family won only for portuguese lyrics, no matter how boring. This will not qualify, it carries too much karma.

RDG
RDG
7 years ago
Reply to  Cemil

Oh, com’on. I Like Pedro, but his singing quality at the Festival was not very good, the dancers were too cringy and the song wasn’t special. Portugal has no problem with english. Actually, Luisa and Salvador usually sing in english in their own albums. And I feel the need to factcheck here: Salvador was way above Pedro in the jury vote AND in the televote. He won the jury vote with a considerable margin to all the others and he was 2nd in the televote, only below Viva La Diva (which wasn’t a very good song, either). I mean… why… Read more »

Jon Smith
Jon Smith
7 years ago

I don’t like this song…

I want to sleep with this song…it’s so boring….

I HATE THIS SONG…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dinara Ungareanu
Dinara Ungareanu
7 years ago
Reply to  Jon Smith

100% HATER… YOU. Thankfully, because art is not for insensitive people.

RDG
RDG
7 years ago
Reply to  Jon Smith

It must be a lonely world for you, Jon xD
It’s ok, everyone has the right to have their own favorites. And I totally disagree with you x) Sure, this song is veeeerrrryyyy calm and it feels like an anesthetic… but, for me, those things are actually its strengths in this year’s ESC.

Let's make it happen
Let's make it happen
7 years ago
Reply to  Jon Smith

Don’t worry Jon. I can love it for the both of us. 😉

Tanja
Tanja
7 years ago

Ahahaha BEST REPLY!!!

Linda
Linda
7 years ago
Reply to  Jon Smith

Agree

Alina Boguinskaya
Alina Boguinskaya
7 years ago

The greatest sign of professionalism of Salvador and Luísa is that they never want to speak of the word “heart” when referring to the medical condition of Salvador. The only heart they are interested in talking about is the song: “My heart … Can love for both”.

RDG
RDG
7 years ago

After that tabloid magazine decided to publish that story about his alleged heart condition, he said in a post-interview (for wiwibloggs, if I remember correctly) that he was trying to leave that subject out of his running for Eurovision, because he was afraid people would focus too much on that specific and private component of his life and would pay less attention to the song and to the performance. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to avoid people and media’s curiosity. And, now, he probably felt the need to give us a reason as to why he won’t be able to attend… Read more »

Pjrcgon
Pjrcgon
7 years ago

He needs a heart transplant, so he can not get away from Lisbon for a long period because a compatible donor can arise at any time and he can not miss the opportunity to treat his heart condition. Kiev is a long flight away from Portugal. That’s why he only stays there for a week. He didn’t want to talk about his health issues to the press, but, eventually, he had to reveal his problem because everybody was thinking he was unprofessional for not going to the first eurovision rehearsal.

Martin
Martin
7 years ago

@Vic – (posting here to keep the conversation going): I very much agree with your assessment! I think Sweden and Bulgaria both stand excellent chances at snatching the crown. As for Sweden: I was just reading through some of the intel on rumored stage concepts and it’s been confirmed that Robin Bengtsson will stay true to his Melfest performance and has been allowed to start his performance backstage. It’s never been done before at Eurovision so the novelty factor will definitely win him plenty of votes. As for Bulgaria, in addition to benefiting from Russia’s absence, he’s also won praise… Read more »

Vic
Vic
7 years ago
Reply to  Martin

Hi Martin, Thanks for the reply As a former practitioner of Yoga I must confess that you make an excellent point on Italy… 🙂 But then again, I left Yoga precisely because of the “faux humble-chic” attitude that was going on. So I do have some sympathy to Francesco’s message hehehe. Personal stories aside, I think his narrative is a strong one, but I think it will fall short to convince the jury and the wider audience. The goofy dance might put off some people too. So I see it in a second to forth place, but not as a… Read more »

Education Sentimentale
Education Sentimentale
7 years ago
Reply to  Martin

Dated Instagram quotes, eh? Now, I’m no expert, but this Instagram thing must be a great place, if Heraclitus, Shakespeare, Marx and the likes all published their works there. But seriously, Martin: Don’t you think you’re a bit unfair to a very intelligent and original song here? Of course you have every right not to like it. If you prefer meaningless, generic pop like Sweden’s song, I can live with that (somehow). But then to pretend that you don’t like Occidentali’s Karma because its lyrics aren’t good enough for your high poetic and/or moral standards … Could it be, you’re… Read more »

Martin
Martin
7 years ago

I never said I don’t like Italy’s entry! It’s actually in my top 3! And Portugal isn’t even in my top 10. I was just making an argument in support of my hypothesis that Italy won’t win in May. Shakespeare and co might not have posted on IG but these westerners in question do, quite often. And I see your point re: him being aware of being a westerner himself. But that doesn’t really take away from the original argument I was making. Anyway, I wasn’t trying to pick a fight or infringe on anyone enjoying Italy’s song. Sorry if… Read more »

Education Sentimentale
Education Sentimentale
7 years ago
Reply to  Martin

Fair enough! I’m glad it was just a misunderstanding from my side and you can enjoy the song. Don’t worry, you didn’t hurt my feelings, I just found the statement about the IG-Quotes a bit strange, but I didn’t want to pick a fight either. Hope it didn’t come across like that. Maybe you will be right with your hypothesis about Italy’s result. I won’t even try to predict the jury-voting or how the audience will react after seeing the act for the first time. I’m actually trying not to get to high hopes, because my favorites never win (Conchita… Read more »

Fatima
Fatima
7 years ago

Why do the contest in the first place ? We all know the schedule by now.

Bring Back Denise
Bring Back Denise
7 years ago

Every time I see him fidgeting I feel a coronary coming on

Bring Back Denise
Bring Back Denise
7 years ago

I hope he manages to survive until Kjiv, for the sake of the contest

JuiceQ
JuiceQ
7 years ago

I wish him a speedier than speedy recovery. Just concentrate on getting well and don’t worry about a thing.
Btw the view from “Telecabine Lisboa “and “MYRIAD by SANA Hotels “near the Parque das Nações-Meo Arena is amazing.
https://youtu.be/yThh0sMdpW8

JQ
JQ
7 years ago
Reply to  JuiceQ

Parque das Nações aerial view https://youtu.be/kNNNiorusuE

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

This almost reminds me of when in 1988 Py Backman, the songwriter and composer of Tommy Körberg’s entry for Sweden that year, had to replace him in rehearsal due to Tommy’s being sick at the time. This performance is on YouTube with the Irish host introducing her as the “Swedish Tina Turner” lol

Bella
Bella
7 years ago

Get well soon Salvador! 🙂
I really should have done more research before posting this comment but does anybody know what is actually wrong? Like what kinds of health problems does he have? Maybe it’s private information and I shouldn’t pry but I’m just curious.
Anyway Luísa is a wonderful woman and so is her brother!! I love both of them and I’m sure Salvador will do amazing in the contest! 🙂

Andrea
Andrea
7 years ago
Reply to  Bella

His sister mentioned he had surgery for some hernias, but some others say he has a heart condition

Tiago S
Tiago S
7 years ago
Reply to  Andrea

Heart condition indeed. It was already confirmed by RTP, the Portuguese public tv channel (who wouldn’t dream of putting forward fake news).

PP
PP
7 years ago

Another article about Salvador singer from Portugal. We read almost same, one day before on this same bloggs.

Bring Back Denise
Bring Back Denise
7 years ago
Reply to  PP

I would like to see an article every day on Laura and Eesti. Also more videos with Denise

PP
PP
7 years ago
Reply to  PP

We have 42 countries in contest not only few Portugal, Italy, France, Montenegro,Bulgaria… we saw that some singer from some countries have video from every all eurovison party they visited , and some singer go to same eurovison party and have 1 not 2,3,4 or more video from parties exaple Serbia female singer visited parties in Israel, The Netherlands and Spain and have only 1 video on youtube wiwibloggs , singer from Hungary visited many partiea and also don t have many vidoe, and some singer visited same parties as she, and he and have 3 video , 1 video… Read more »

ADA
ADA
7 years ago
Reply to  PP

Well, by your logic, Portugal hasn’t been to any pre-party and, therefore, has no videos from Iive performances from any pre-party. So, why are you so mad that Salvador is getting some attention?!

GG
GG
7 years ago

William don’t even bother, this troll has been spewing hate in every post. Even when the post has nothing to do with any of the countries he mentions, he makes a way to talk about them.

Anyways, thank you guys for the awesome job on this blog and all the kind words you have been posting on Salvador. So glad we ar back in Eurovision 😀

PP
PP
7 years ago
Reply to  GG

Only one video is where Deban speak with Tijana in Israel. No video with her interview from parties in Amsterdam and Madrid, and we saw video with Slavko from eurovison party in London, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv , Madrid , Tijana go to almost same eurovision party as he (she didn t go to only London) . we had video and interview from all eurovison party with singer from Bulgaria, singer from France…

God-Emperor
God-Emperor
7 years ago
Reply to  PP

You’re frustrated because Portugal is finally having the attention it deserved over the years. Troll alert!

kai
kai
7 years ago

they shot the video this afternoon

querosertua
querosertua
7 years ago

Is his health condition why he makes those weird movements when he sings

Eaftosmou Krymmenos
Eaftosmou Krymmenos
7 years ago
Reply to  querosertua

Looks a bit like the movements of a retard (even though he isn’t one)… and don’t tell me that his “timeless masterpiece” of a “deep song” determines him to do it. If so, something is still not right. I’ve seen other more renowned artists singing similar songs (of the same genre), but none of them ever moved like that (not that if they would’ve done it, it would’ve been OK). I don’t think that any kind of art should determine anyone move like that, regardless of how much would one feel / live it. Now, I’m not any “troll”, no… Read more »

Adrian Isaksson
Adrian Isaksson
7 years ago

In addition to being musically talented, she has the gift of communication and a sweetness similar to Salvador.? I love those two.

Mr. Peido
Mr. Peido
7 years ago

Luísa Sobral is such a great composer and singer! It’s a honor to have Portugal represented at Eurovision with a song by her.

Mike
Mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Mr. Peido

“Mr. Peido”? LOL

What a stinky nickname!

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

Luísa seems to be a very professional and focused lady, I believe there will be no problems for Portugal

Joe
Joe
7 years ago

I hope he gets well soon to slay in Ukraine. He’s got my vote in SF1.