Last night he wowed viewers during the first semi-final of Eurovision 2017 and has watched the bookies slash his odds to win the grand final since then.
And just hours before Portugal‘s Salvador Sobral took the stage he caught up with wiwibloggs editor-in-chief William in the press centre, discussing, among other things, how his ongoing health issues forced him to delay his arrival, his thoughts on being a favourite to win it all, Europe’s refugee crisis and his spirit animal. You’ll never guess what it is…
As you know very well know by now, Salvador has brought Portugal back to the Grand Final after a seven-year drought with a moving performance of “Amar Pelos Dois”. His perfect voice, his quirky look and the faces he pulled with his sister in the Green Room won over countless hearts in Europe and Australia. His nickname is Salvadorable, after all!
Scroll down for interview
Laidback and totally unfazed by the competition, Salvador revealed that wiwibloggs is his main source of information about the Eurovision Song Contest.
We were thrilled to learn that he watched his sister Luísa Sobral’s rehearsals on our website and YouTube channel. He also gave a shout out in Portuguese to his fans at home and recommended us as the source for all ESC-related news. Muy obrigado, Salvador!
Speaking about the rehearsals, Salvador said he was amazed to find out that at Eurovision the artists have to rehearse so many times. Because his sister Luísa stood in for him in during the first week of rehearsals, Salvador only had to rehearse four times, but even that seemed excessive to the unique singer. He doesn’t need four rehearsals, y’all! He can slay all of our hearts in one go!
Salvador confessed that he had no say in the staging because he has “no sense of aesthetics”. He does not see the visuals anyway, as they are always behind him. But we see them and they are as magical as “Amar Pelos Dois” itself.
The Portuguese singer may not have any particular sense of style, but he wears his simple black jumper with pride. The “SOS Refugees” across his chest shows that he is an advocate for the less fortunate who had to leave their families, homes, and countries behind in war-torn areas around the globe.
Salvador wants to use his fame to lobby for a less bureaucratic way to process asylum seekers. The Portuguese singer believes that people who flee their countries in plastic boats should not be compelled to carry birth certificates to prove who they are — they should simply be helped to overcome their trying ordeal.
Moving on to a lighter topic, Salvador is grateful that he is second in the odds. “It means that people believe in [our entry] and feel our song,” he says. The Portuguese singer has met the bookies’ favourite Francesco Gabbani, and he told us that he would be happy with Italy winning, because the message of “Occidentali’s Karma” is important.
Last but not least, Salvador told us that his spirit animal is the parrot, because he likes to imitate sounds that he hears. He proceeded to imitate William’s animal sounds and proved that he is not only an amazing singer, but also a salvadorable parrot at heart.
After advancing from the First Semi-final, the Portuguese singer drew the “First Half” ticket, which means that he will perform in the first batch of 13 artists during Saturday’s Grand Final.
What was your favourite part of our interview with Salvador Sobral? What do you think about his performance last night? And how do you think he will fare in the Grand Final? Let us know in the comments!
Oh my goodness! an astounding article dude. Thank you Even so I’m experiencing problem with ur rss . Do not know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody receiving identical rss trouble? Anyone who knows kindly respond.
Hello All , watch this performance of SALVADORABLE, he is FANTASTIC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffqIa1L4TBE
I always think it’s bit rich when celebrities wear shirts like his ‘SOS refugees’ If they are really that concerned they could take in a few of their own in their own homes. He lives on the opposite side of Europe of where all this is happening and feels he can comment, here in Greece they are streaming through our island and we care for them every day and it is incovenience we don’t like but we care, and he wears a shirt and does nothing and he’s a hero. Get real.
Do you know for sure that he does nothing? 😉
Do you know that he does something? If so please tell, otherwise don’t waste time with misleading suggestive comment
Stathi, you wrote:
“… he wears a shirt and does nothing…”
And I asked you if you do know for sure that he does nothing. Do not answer my question with another question.
Do you know for sure that he does nothing? Will you answer me please?
In his wiki page under ‘Philanthropy’ all it talks about is a T-shirt he wore to Eurovision and a statement he made. If he did anything of significance it would be in this section of his wiki page and we would know about it as we do with other artists in the spotlight. Thankyou.
Ok.
So, as I imagined you do not know for sure that he does nothing.
Then, please do not talk about what you don’t know just to undermine his reputation.
In other words, do not waste time with “misleading suggestive comments”. 😉
Thank you too Stathi.
Love from Portugal <3
Salvador’s greatest humanitarian work is to wear a T-shirt that makes a statement. I’m so sick of these fake “do-good” celebrities that get applauded for doing nothing. He is one of them. Adopt one, visit them, do something, just not from a safe distance in your fake fame world
he is not even a celebrity ,and not even rich ,he shares a house with a friend in the old area of lisbon ,so i dont see your point ,if i went to eurovision i would definatly make a statement about something i believe “against anti-lgbt laws in russia” or the refugges ,u need seriously to chill men
why not make a statement against anti-lgbt laws in Iran, Iraq, Saudi? Oh yeah cos you’d be too scared to. Only Russia get targeted when it comes to this
LGBT’s stay quiet on crimes in these countries. like as if it doesn’t happen.
If you would have listened with attention to what he said you wouldn’t have made that comment. He said that Europe is not doing enough (!) to help countries like Greece and Italy to cope with that situation. There is lack of solidarity and effectiveness in giving solutions to the refugees, mainly due to bureaucracy imposed by Europe and the receiving countries. He is very well informed about the situation on the ground and the specificities of the issue. By the way, he comes from a country that is more open and willing to receive refugees, unlike many others, in… Read more »
This song is boring and so overrated. Oh yeah it’s so cool and hipster to sing softly into the microphone with old fashioned feels. The guy is so smug and phony when the camera pans to him too. Give me a break. Let’s crown a song that sounds like it’s from 2017 please.
Are you deaf, man? Give me a break and try to learn what it is real music and not a lalala song!
This song is boring and so overrated. Oh yeah it’s so cool and hipster to sing softly into the microphone with old fashioned feels. The guy is so smug and phony when the camera pans to him too. Give me a break. Let’s crown a song that sounds like it’s from 2017 please.
I think my cousin and I felt the same about Portugal’s entry yesterday. The song is good, but we find his performance “uncomfortable” to watch, and the meaning of the song is “inaccessible” to us. By “inaccessible” we mean that the idea of retaining enough love for two people after the other one leaves us; it’s not something either of us have experienced, so we don’t “get it.” However, we both fully understand why the song is well-liked, and can see this as a potential winner; it is still a good song with good music. (Plus we would quite like… Read more »
The language barrier is certainly one reason why I think he will not win. It’s not only because people don’t get the message, it’s also because people are so familiar to the English sounds and not familiar with Portuguese. About his quirky presence, I think that might come to its favour, actually, because people might remember that after all the songs. It might work as a gimmick, which of course it is not, it’s natural in him, but be remembered as such.
This music of Salvador Sobral is the best!
EUROVISION is not for movie producers….
Salvador only use a Microphone to sing and not need a show stage whith massive virtual effects…!
EUROVISION is for sing and not for Music vídeo…!
The only one that is real is Salvador, voice + piano + string NO MORE VIRTUAL EFFECTS!!!!
Italy and bulgaria have massive effects and and unreal voice treatment…!
I already read this. You have posted it in two other threads.
OK Guys!!! Calm down all your hormones! Just relax, love each other, enjoy music and dress up the t-shirt with: “KEEP CALM AND WATCH PORTUGAL WINNING ESC2017” hehhehe
Like I said a month ago, this could be Portugal’s first top-5 finish, if not an upset win. If Anouk could finish in the top 10 with a song like this, 4 years ago (“Birds”), Salvador could do just as well if not better.
Dear wiwibloggs,
could you please upload Demys perfomance on the wiwijam? It is unbelievable that in a small venue with bad acoustics she SMASHED the song. its 1000 better than the semi final.
WINNER ALERT!!
The song that will revolutionize Eurovision. The return of good old passionate songs. Salvador is a phenomenon that put Europe completly converted. Just chills and in 3 minutes silence strikes in order to listen with attention all emotions carried by him. And in an agitated world, serenity is the key of success.
Retro and vintage and most of all TIMELESS. 1957, 2017, 2057…this song would be a contender any year you to want pick. It’s just that good.
PORTUGAL 2018!!
Word!
Estoy totalmente de acuerdo saludos desde México
this song means Eternity
Nice words. Fingers crossed
Hey guys, check out this video on Semi-Final 1 and let me know what you think!! I would love to read your thoughts on the result! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJPA40szVZQ
Fantastic song. Magic. No words for Salvador Sobral.
And his odds keep narrowing.
Here people have taken to calling the Sobral siblings “boy Salvador and girl Salvador” for some reason…
He is such a nice guy…so lovely and adorable! Good luck 🙂
GO SALVADOR! YOU DESERVE THE BEST! <3
Omg have you guys seen this? Young Salvador singing MJ on pop idol???
https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=wScKkYBICuA
Do not waste your time with 19-year-old Salvador from Ídolos. He WAS already very good back then (although he does not like it) but those videos are only a curiosity.
Now he is much more mature and exquisite.
I’ll leave here a small present for all of you who love Salvador.
His cover of Joni Mitchel’s “A case of you” during the encore of his last concert before flying to Kyiv.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz6Dhllg-_M&t=28s
I hope you understand that I think Salvador is fantastic and have thought for a long time he will win. I was just shocked in the video how different he is to now, in the way he performs and his movement etc. I still think he will win and will be happy if he does so!
Thank you Trocatroc 🙂
Yes, his style, his repertoire and even his voice are very different now.
I think that back in 2009 he was just a young happy-go-lucky boy and that all he has experienced during these 8 years of his life has changed him deeply Into the young adult he is in 2017.
Nevertheless, he kept his endearing personality and his sense of humour and is still salvadorable 🙂
Love from Portugal <3
I do not like the Portuguese song.
However, Salvador and his sister are both VERY talented people, and I appreciate their desire to do something simple.
Also, I find myself worrying about his health. I hope whatever it is he has, he is able to get better.
Note: the Greek media is reporting that he’s on the waiting list for a heart transplant. I find the Greek media full of $^#@ half the time, so I really hope they have it wrong here.
The Greek media …. most of the current Greek entries … this list of BS goes on and on … but I guess the spoiled brat joker at any Eurovision edition party bringer that will destroy the ballad syndrome that so easily traumatizes the lives of thousands of fans … is back at the final … ahhhgg lord ….
what the hell are you talking about? hate speech towards a country should not be allowed in this site.
Ha, I’m Greek and even I agree with their comments.
I don t think he have chance to win or to be in TOP 3. He didn t won televote 2 time in his country in semi and final both time Viva La Diva won televote with song Nova Gloria. He will be out of TOP 3with televote, much points will get Italy, Bulgaria, Romania even Armenia,Sweden How juries will vote for song is sound like song from begining of Eurovision . They don t vote for Poland last year with pop ballads from 90 ties and pop song from 80 ties from Austria. Juries will push much more than… Read more »
How many times do we have to read the same thing from you? Get over it dude…..
Till this bloggs stop for lobby for him and some other countries every days from march to may.
Many who are lobby for him so much now , want to see for Portugal Pedro Gonçalves with modern song on english or hot singer Fernando Daniel
Bitter
How many times do we have to see your lack of grammar skills to properly use verbs in both the present and past tense? If you want to hate on something, could you at least conjugate verbs more fluently … B1 level at least?
You change you nick one more time, how many nick your have on this bloggs 2,3 .. 10….
I don’t care about Viva La Diva, I prefer Amar Pelos Dois than Nova Glória bye
So much lobby for some countries on bloggs for Portugal, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Montenegro.
And lack of support for all the uptempo rubbish you have been digesting way too much? You do understand this is a song contest … not another excuse to go out to a gay club and party hard, right?
take a chill pill becky
Reading some of these comments I realistically realize why Europe will never be united! Sad so sad, cause this contest should be all about music, joy, friendship, good vibes and union in diversity! But some people have the opposite in their ADN!
The spirit of Eurovision in the tiny brains of many means “uptempo party songs that are fun and trash so that we can forget for a couple of hours how pathetic our lives can be” … and not understand that is REALLY a music contest … but I guess the musical culture of many has never been beyond 90s Britney Spears or any other type of recycled pop garbage.
Relax people (and “haters”). Portugal will NOT win, nor will it ever. Lack of block voting, significant diaspora only in France and Switzerland, sung is not in English, Eastern Europeans will not vote for Portugal, etc. etc. If it makes top 5, that will be a major achievement. That said, I think Salvador has a real star quality. I am really glad that Eurovision gave the opportunity to get to know his persona and his art. Whether you like it or not, I am always very glad if the ESC help artists to become more known, even if it is… Read more »
Since yesterday I switched from Italy to Portugal to win.. magical performance, somehow I think we need that.. I was breathless for 3 minutes yesterday.. Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Belgium conclude my top 5… can’t wait.. ?
Sorry for being a grammar nazi, but ‘thank you’ is ‘muito obrigado’ in Portuguese. <3
And trash pop lovers in Eurovision will try to learn that and hopefully pass on the next exam about it … hopefully …
We don’t need no-
Statements
Loreen 2017
We do need MUSIC in Eurovision … and excuses to pretend we’re all still in our teens…
I can feel a “Conchita” vibe in Salvador. Classic song (dated for some people but definitely a good song), great performance, peculiar singer with a lot of support from the fans… it looks like a winner to me.
… although Conchita won not only due to both vocal talent and character but also … because it became the perfect slap in Russia’s face in a time when we could not tolerate their homophobic mentality … it served a purpose beyond music. But will we be needing another LGBT Eurovision purpose to send this same message to Russia again in the future?
Amazing Salvador! I voted for him yesterday, and will vote on Saturday again. My top 3 is Italy, Portugal and Belgium (random order), I really hope one of them wins!
My top three is Italy, Portugal and Belgium (random)! The same as yours.
THANK YOU WIWIBLOGGS! Portugal really wants to win. Help us Europe!! We want to meet you all in Lisbon’2018
patheticness alert
Lay in the bed and cry honey. Portugal slaysss
In fact I think he’s honest when he talks about refugees, and it’s not a strategy to get noticed for sure. I expect that he loses some votes with this kind of talk, especially because a large part of Europe has no sympathy for the refugees at all (after the terrorism linked to some of them). But in the end it doesn’t make a big difference. 99% of people who will decide the contest have no idea about press conferences or not even about the person. They simply watch the contest and vote for the song they like.
Mark you have to love the haters… there’s no way sadly that people can just be glad that this year the two favorites are singing in Italian and Portuguese and with both amazing songs. No, humans… being humans. Much more hate than LOVE! why? idk…
Mark, believe me that he doesn’t care about losing or winning votes when he talks about refugees.. and I also think he doesn’t take Eurovision as seriously as all his fans are taking. Right now his victory would mean more to the portuguese people than to himself.
12 points from Sweden to this lovely song. See you in Lisboa next year =)
Björkmann would be angry at your statement … he clearly has a not very understanding perception of this song … you see … it’s not a Max Martin, Thomas G:son or a Fredrik Kempe recycled pop song from any other we’re all familiar with able to hit the charts in … the UK. It has what current swedish pop music never bothered to learn from ABBA themselves …. be original.
I love G:son and Kempe and all their brilliant songs. Just as i love the portugese song =)
He seems sweet and I like his song! I’m personally rooting for Armenia but I’d be happy if he won.
It’s like Wiwibloggs really wants him to win.
well they desperately do.
funny… saying that they are biased and yet both of you are regular viewers of this website/blog xD
Portugal is the oldest country to have never won so … they haven’t still experienced “coming multiples times” in Lisbon … what must it be like, they wonder? LOL
First, your poses in the photos are amazing! You are both adorable! My favourite parts are two: The 1st, when he told he was amazed by the fact that artists have to rehearse many times! This happens mainly for technical reasons and staging adaptation! However, artists prepare better too! Salvador doesn’t need many rehearsals! He can amaze us only by singing once! The 2nd is when he talked about the refugee crisis! And as he said: in a humanitarian context! He doesn’t get into politics, he’s just a human caring for other people! It’s also interesting he appreciates the Italian… Read more »
I didn’t like the song at all until yesterday. He is so charismatic and genuine. This year’s Calm After the Storm.
He is fake and all this with the refugees and the silly moves is clearly in order to be noticed. I prefer francesco, he seems more authentic.
now thats what i call a hater comment!
Get ready…Portugal will win!
Gosh, italian fans just chill… i doubt Portugal are able to win… but make no mistake!! Portugal should win!
Italy is very likely supporting Portugal. Let’s all stop hate and only enjoy music.
get ready to start posting comments on the saturday night after eurovision like “omg thats so unfair eurovision is a joke justice for portugal justice for finland why greece is in the top 10 omg”
Maybe… maybe not. I’m certain of one thing i love both songs Portuguese and the Italian one, however i prefer Amar pelos dois. But it is nice to discuss the victory of two songs that are in their native tongue, sooooooo just stop the hate plz!
Well, Greece’s song does suck
You know what he said in portuguese, in the end of the interview? He said he hoped people would like the song, would feel the song. And then he talked to the portuguese people who live abroad saying that, if they liked the song they could vote, but ONLY if they liked the song, cause he didn’t wanted them to vote in Portugal just because they were portuguese. That doesn’t seem like a thing a contestant desperate to get noticed to win would do, right?
there is a thing called PUBLIC RELATIONS, you can say what you want in different ways. portuguese are told that they are the favorites, eurofans are like every year omg when portugal is going to win, so portuguese from abroad will vote the song no matter what, its their countries song 😉
We have with him, fake smile singer from Austria ( like singer from Malta 2013,France 2016), diva singer from Montenegro…
Since when a Spanish dancer dressed as gorilla can be called authentic? Why not asking the Spanish dancer to be on stage as himself … just like he did 2 years ago?
Filippo isn’t Spanish. He’s Italian.
You talk as if he was the stepbrother you can’t stand having around … honey cool down. Nobody here is trying to be the next Ru Paul’s drag queen wannabe, The throne is still yours …
Kasia lives in the country side, because she wants to help dogs using her own money and home, but Salvador, what has he done for refugees? I’m not talking about money, but has he visited them, or is he only wearing a shirt???
Do you truly believe that you should visit “them” in order to help? This is not just a shirt. To make this statement in front of millions of viewers worldwide is immense, especially when it happens in an event aimed to unify Europe and celebrate diversity.
he doesn’t want to talk about this but this has a big impact in his life: he has a heart condition… i’m not trying to have empathy, i’m just saying that people need to listen Salvador’s more carefully, cause he said something that only someone who are listening very carefully can get it, he said: “my dream is to be able to do a tour, europe, maybe america latina”… and what he is saying is that right now he can’t, he doesn’t have the proper health, he needs a heart transplant… so maybe, just maybe he can’t go wild, and… Read more »
Eurovision Song Contest is seen by millions of people around the world and the Salvador is taking advantage of this moment to draw everyone’s attention to a serious worldwide problem. The reality is that he does not need to divulge this situation nor the health problem he has to win votes. He is an excellent singer to play a great song whether you like or not.
Joci Papai has an entire performance about racial mistreatment: no one notices. Salvador puts a S.O.S Refugees shirt on: everyone’s praising him for his message. What the actual fudge……
That’s ’cause Joci hasn’t had the winner’s press conference yet. He’ll surely be there, so you just need to wait.
So I can presume the refugee’s issue is not a problem yourself seem to care about that much … right?
What? He IS the embodyment of the refugee crisis. He’s a romani. They don’t even have their own country, are immigrants everywhere, and are persecuted for that. Joci’s message is a message for every single refugee coming inti europe right now..
He’s trying too hard.
… or are you not bothering to understand anything at all?
You don’t need to be pressed. I like him and appreciate his song, however, I believe he is trying too hard to appear quirky and relatable.
No, that’s exactly how he is. Try not to make assumptions based on perceptions, it just makes you look stupid.
Maria, when Manel was in Portugal he sang a song for Maria.