Helena Paparizou Eleni Foureira Fuego Cyprus Eurovision 2018 Leak

She’s the MTV EMA winning popstar with two Eurovision podium finishes for Greece under her belt. And earlier this year, rumours whirled that Helena Paparziou was in talks to head to the contest a third time, but for Cyprus rather than her native land.

Mere days later, local media alleged that she had turned down the offer.

But, in the midst of all the toing and froing, the speculation remained unsubstantiated. Neither team Paparizou nor Cypriot broadcaster RIK commented publicly on the matter.

However, in recent days, a 30-second snippet of the demo version of “Fuego” — Eleni Foureira’s song for Eurovision 2018 — has leaked online. And lo and behold, Helena Paparizou’s distinctive vocals can be heard on the track.

Helena Paparizou “Fuego” 30-second snippet (leak)

https://youtu.be/SqrRIprZeDU

This effectively confirms that Helena was indeed in the running to represent the sunny Mediterranean island.

The word in January was that representatives from RIK flew to Athens to meet with the Eurovision 2005 winner. Given that she took the trouble to record a demo, it would seem that talks were at a more advanced stage than first believed.

Paparizou was reported to have loved the Alex P penned Eurovision 2018 number, but ultimately decided that she wasn’t ready to make a third appearance at Eurovision. At least not this year.

So if the “My Number One” hitmaker was Cyprus’ number one, does that mean Eleni Foureira was their number two? Possibly, although there were also suggestions that the Cypriots were wooing Georgian-Greek singer Tamta too.

Tamta or no Tamta. Eleni Foureira is who we have now.

And the lady boasts an impressive Eurovision CV.

Born in Albania but raised in Greece, Foureira competed in the 2010 Greek national final with “Kivotos tou Noe”, which placed second. She recently had a hit with a Greek version of Nadav Guedj’s “Golden Boy”. Foureira has made no secret of her dream to go to Eurovision. Last year she spoke of her sadness at not being selected to represent Greece.

As of Tuesday, the “Fuego” songstress is currently one of the bookmakers’ favourites to qualify from semi-final one. And her chances received a significant boost after producers gave her the much coveted closing slot in the first semi running order.

What do you think of the leaked demo? Would Helena have been a good option for Cyprus? Or do you prefer Eleni? Let us know in the comments below.

Follow all of our Cyprus Eurovision 2018 news.

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??????????0987
??????????0987
5 years ago

Guys if helena sing this song the same result would not have???

azaad
azaad
5 years ago

Personally I’d love to see Helena enter MelFest next year with a song like Fuego.

azaad
azaad
5 years ago

Having listened to both, Paparizou probably has the better voice and song objectively. Still love Eleni and the song though.

KRAYONELLE
KRAYONELLE
5 years ago

elena paparazzi is muche better than elena fogueira
only fire to know that

Reply
Reply
5 years ago

Helena Paparziou! You are NUMBER ONE. OK!
What is this Eleni Foureira bla bla bla the cheap copy.

🙂

Hada
Hada
5 years ago

Listening to the chorus alone I hear no difference, but listening to the whole song you can tell Helena brings so much strength and character to the song.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago
Reply to  Hada

If more people listen to Ms. Paparizou’s version and see it your way, it could very well cripple Ms. Foureira’s chances of qualifying for the Grand Final.

Safiya
Safiya
5 years ago

I can’t see any difference tbh. I mean, you can hear it’s a different person. but they are both good, so I don’t get why people are fighting here.

Hada
Hada
5 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

Maybe they could form a common framework for a couple of concerts.

Crazy
Crazy
5 years ago

For God’s sake !!! Eleni foureira is 30 years old and Helena Paparizou is 35 years old !!!! Both are young women! WAKE up!

Mymaimi
Mymaimi
5 years ago
Reply to  Crazy

That was the alcohol. She’s fine now I believe

HP!
HP!
5 years ago
Reply to  Crazy

Helena had health issues some years ago and she gained weight.Now she’s fine and she looks amazing!

Ted
Ted
5 years ago

What’s the hype about it? Helena rejected to sing the song so the producers have approached Eleni, she accepted it so she’s the right singer for Fuego. What’s the deal with Helena and all this nonsence drama? Who had the demo and decided to leak it if not the producer or Helena herself. Who could have access to it? Guys, this drama is useless. In the end, if Eleni will slay it on Eurovision stage she’ll pass the semi and will rank well in the final (they made it last year with a weaker song than Fuego, and also in… Read more »

john
john
5 years ago

if u want the full demo of helena`s “fuego” send me an email at : [email protected] i have the full version

Erin
Erin
5 years ago

Helena has perfect voice…she is a great artist..she can sing everything…She is always amazing on the stage…I like this demo more than the Foureira s.
I wish Good Luck to Cyprus…

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
5 years ago

ahahahhahaha OLD??? they have only 5 years difference.

Also VIEWERS NEED PROPER SINGERS!
Foureira is NOT a singer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwE9KDoNxAs

The Scorpio
The Scorpio
5 years ago

I call BS! Woman don’t stop having sex after pushing 40. And to a lot of People, Paparizou might even be hotter than her replacement.

Davve
Davve
5 years ago

People claim that they prefer Elenis “version”. People, this is a demo. Not a finished product. Its like comparing a completed car with the frame of a car.

Davve
Davve
5 years ago

Elena was offered the song first. But declined. I think she made a mistake….

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

Fuego is a BOP. Gonna surprise.

Arizona Malone
Arizona Malone
5 years ago

Come on, move forward, Helena is dated as artist and totally out for this genre, she can’t event move. I love the way eurofans appreciate former acts, that’s lovely and respectful, but Foureira and her boots are exactly what Fuego and Europa need.

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Arizona Malone

She is dated? Oh please…. Foureira and Paparizou released their 2017 Album in December. Foureira managed to peak at 15 where as Paparizou peaked at 1 and remained in the Top 10 for more than 3 months. She is still on Greek charts if you check it out (currently 3rd( where as Foureira is out of the Top 75!!! And by the way Helenas latest single ‘An me dis na kleo’ reached number 1 on Greek Airplay and has more than 24 million views. Foureira’s last single to reach Top 20 in Greek Airplay was in 2016!!! SO GET YOUR… Read more »

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Arizona Malone

And sorry to disappoint you but what Europe needs is GOOD SINGERS!
Check this video and tell me if Foureira can sing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwE9KDoNxAs

Ern
Ern
5 years ago

I can’t tell the difference.

West
West
5 years ago
Reply to  Ern

I’m glad I’m not the only one – so much autotune…

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Ern

I’ve heard the full version of the song and there are differences. Helena’s voice is more powerful and distinct.

SandraW
SandraW
5 years ago
Reply to  EurovisionFan

Really? How can you tell? There’s so much autotune that if you told me it’s not sung by a human being but a highly advanced vocaloid I would believe it.

2L
2L
5 years ago

Some people in Greece decided to play a dirty game against Eleni and Wiwi blogs is happy to play along. You should ask yourselves why.

2L
2L
5 years ago
Reply to  2L

Now they threaten to release the full song right before Eleni does her first rehearsal in order to hurt her chances of qualifying. This following guy was also the one who leaked that first snipet with Elenis voice claiming the song to be a clear copy of Haide. That didnt work out the way they wanted so now they have a new plan. Read what he says:
“I will release the song to some foreign site(my guess is wiwiblogs) to create a negative buzz against her with the fan community so she will crash and burn”

James
James
5 years ago
Reply to  2L

Funny enough, another Eurovision website reported about this before Wiwibloggs did and I won’t be surprised if some other fansite reported about this much earlier on.

azaad
azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  2L

Surely Eleni could pursue legal action then?

2L
2L
5 years ago
Reply to  azaad

Panik records and Alex P have the copyrights for the song. I guess they could.

Anita
Anita
5 years ago
Reply to  2L

But wiwibloggs – look up the reaction video with William and Deban – praised Eleni and the song!

2L
2L
5 years ago
Reply to  Anita

That’s a different story. The person who wrote this article is neither William nor Deban. Publishing the 30sec clip wasnt a fair move. Im pretty sure he knows that and Im pretty sure he doesnt care.

Dew
Dew
5 years ago

They both got heavy autotune but at least Helena can sing live.

PP
PP
5 years ago

I think Cyprus wili flop in Eurovision. Song is good but I feel live will not be good as audio or video of song. Same happened last year with Macedonia.
I think Helena realise that with that song , she dont have good chance for some good result in Eurovision and she was better singer then Eleni.

James
James
5 years ago

It doesn’t sound that far off from Eleni’s voice unless my ears are deceiving me.

Although live is all that matters.

blondboybc
blondboybc
5 years ago

Um, what’s the diff? Really cannot tell, tbh. Too much autotune in the studio version makes them almost indistinguishable!

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

The studio version sounds exactly the same. It’s so overproduced.
I think Helena would do a better job live, but she already won once so i am happy Eleni is having her chance.

SpirK
SpirK
5 years ago

I think that especially us greeks that really have been used to hearing Helena’s voice can certify that it seems that vocally “Fuego” was written with Helena in mind instead of Eleni. Her vocals are more powerfull and pack more of a punch needed to get you hooked. Eleni is doing a fine job though.

Ezequiel
Ezequiel
5 years ago

The voices are so processed that they sound exactly the same to me. You can’t really find much of a difference. I hope that Eleni will sound more organic live.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago
Reply to  Ezequiel

My thoughts exactly. Makes you really worried about how this might sound live.

Troy
Troy
5 years ago

Sounds identical. Just shows you how much production there is on the vocal and how disposable pop-singers truly are – until they have to perform live and aren’t allowed to use live vocal effects or live auto-tune.

Davve
Davve
5 years ago
Reply to  Troy

Of course it sounds the same. It isthe same song,and of course the same production.. Come om

HP!
HP!
5 years ago

I have listened to the full version and Helena’s version is much better!!!
The truth is that Foureira is a very good performer but a bad vocalist.Helena’s voice is huge,powerful and she can slay every song live!

Curve
Curve
5 years ago

It’s good that RIK gave Eleni a chance to represent with this song.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
5 years ago

The 30-second clip is heavy auto-tuned. Y’all expect Helena to still have that voice? Do you not remember Survivor from Melfest?

eurofan
eurofan
5 years ago
Reply to  YoungsterJoey

Trust me. She still has THAT voice. I listened to her live on Sunday and “My number one” sounded the same. She can comeback whenever she wants and win the competition all over again. She’s a queen.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
5 years ago

Ummmmm…..what’s the difference? Seems like none.

Robot Boy
Robot Boy
5 years ago

Probably i shouldn’t do this… but foureira CAN’T SING LIVE:
Proof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwE9KDoNxAs

Aaran
Aaran
5 years ago

Personally I prefer Eleni in the studio version because her voice is more delicate and saultry. However if what people say about Eleni’s live vocals is true, maybe Helena would have been a better live performer. Anyway we’ll see how Eleni sings live soon enough.

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Aaran

I’ve heard the whole version and Helena is more powerful.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Helena is a legend and has nothing left to prove, so I’m glad Eleni took this song.

Jamaraqueer
Jamaraqueer
5 years ago

No offence. But I don’t get the hype around Helena P. She won Eurovision like a million years ago. Do people really think she’s relevant still? Eleni’s version is better.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Jamaraqueer

Well, in her own markets Helena is more relevant than any other winner this century. After more than a decade, she’s still getting #1 albums in Greece and she still has certified singles in Sweden… people like Loreen, Alexander Rybak and Mans Zelmerlow only lasted for one year after their victory.

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago

She’s probably the most successful artist the contest produced apart from ABBA and Celine Dion.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago

2000s winners seem to make an impact unlike 2010s winners. Dima Bilan is still a big star in Russia, Helena one of Greece’s major stars, Ruslana who sold the best-selling Ukrainian album ever, performed in 2017 ESC and was a political activist in the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine. While the 2010s winners have done nothing, I think only Conchita has make something outside ESC, maybe Ell and Nikki are still remembered in Azerbaijan?

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

Lena is still a big star in germany

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

Ell & Nikki are not remembered anywhere.

azaad
azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

Lena and Mans are still big deals from the looks of it, and I’d say that Jamala and Conchita are as well.

Christopher
Christopher
5 years ago

This is clear for me – I prefer Eleni. She got the total package for this and I am happy she was selected. 🙂

Duane
Duane
5 years ago

It just sounds like the song has been slowed down to me, no difference at all

Wheatley
Wheatley
5 years ago

Vocally it is pretty clear that this song was meamt to be sang by Helena. But I believe that Eleni can bring a certain oomph that fits the song and will deliver it just fine.

Xilophone
Xilophone
5 years ago

They song the same… I’m confused…

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago

OMG, Helena’s voice really suits this!

Nico
Nico
5 years ago

For me it’s the same voice, I’ve listened carefully both the snippet and right after the same part in the song, and it’s the same voice. I’m confused…

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago
Reply to  Nico

I get what you mean, they sound similar but this leak is definitely Helena’s voice. As a Greek I hear her voice a lot and I can recognise it.

Robot boy
Robot boy
5 years ago

WOOOOOOOOW HELENA!!!!!
Well done 100000 points to you!!!!
You should sing this AND NOT YOUR Weak replacement!

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Wow! That was amazing! It’s so powerful and it grabs you immediately. And it’s only a demo!

Helena could definitely slay this!! However, I think it also fits Eleni’s style, so it will be also great!

Yiannis
Yiannis
5 years ago

Once a Number 1 ALWAYS a Number 1…
This says it all.

sausage123
sausage123
5 years ago

How would Eleni feel now?
Paparizou sang this song better…

JohnUK
JohnUK
5 years ago

Helena: Queen of POP
Foureira’s version looks so poor now…

EurovisionUK
EurovisionUK
5 years ago

Bring back Helena!!!!

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
5 years ago

Helena is WAY BETTER than Foureira!
Foureira will not be able to handle this song live unlike Helena!
Sorry Foureira…

The Scorpio
The Scorpio
5 years ago

She is way better than her replacement, but that was clear from the start.

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
5 years ago

Helena Paparizou SLAYS THIS! By far the best!
And this is just a DEMO!!!
IT is so OBVIOUS that Foureira listened to Helena’s version!!!!