lea sirk eurovision 2018 hvala ne first rehearsal
Andres Putting

Whip out that can of crazy and let’s dive in! Slovenia’s Lea Sirk delivered a thoroughly off-kilter, totally urban performance during her first rehearsal. This harked back to the Eurovision of yesteryear when people weren’t afraid to have a bit of fun. Her euro-dance number has major swagger, which comes through her swishing hips, facial expressions and non-stop popping and locking.

Lea has ditched her windows from the national final, which will no doubt sadden some fans. But don’t fret! Her posse of backing vocalists is as fiery and fearsome as ever. There’s great interaction between Lea and her girls, including a lovely shot where she walks down a staircase and they each throw their hands out at her. Talk to the hand? Take my hand? No matter. This is visually arresting and thoroughly enjoyable.

Perhaps the most talked-about moment of the performance comes when she stages a “fake blackout”. The lights and the music cut and she entreats the audience to help her out. As they do everything comes back to life on stage. I’m not yet clear whether it’s cool or cringe, but I suspect the former. When the arena is filled with people screaming, clapping and waving flags, that moment will really come to life.

Lea Sirk — “Hvala, Ne!”: Reviews and Reactions

Slovenia: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018

Slovenia: First press conference 2018

Video coming soon

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Slovenia Eurovision news here

Photo & Footage: Courtesy of EBU & RTP

29 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

The fake “blackout” is effective I think. Some dancing adding to the performance. They did a good job.

drag kvinna
6 years ago

hvala yeah

Nate
Nate
6 years ago

Barei did a similar blackout and eas heavily critizised and ended at the bottom…

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago

I hope the flyin’ squirrel will meet the flyin’ pelican in the Grand Final!

Tuvddtgccj57g
Tuvddtgccj57g
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Wait who’s the pelican? 😀

Jo.
Jo.
6 years ago
Reply to  Tuvddtgccj57g

The one who’s not cooling down.

Anasus
Anasus
6 years ago

she should qualify. cheerful song and she’s very funny in interviwes

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
6 years ago

I like the song but showing off butts is a cheap move.. The sa e goes for showing off nipples

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

OFF TOPIC: Here’s a petition to get Slovenia to return to Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018.

https://www.change.org/p/european-broadcasting-union-slovenia-to-compete-at-junior-eurovision-song-contest-2018

ben005
ben005
6 years ago

After such a long time we might have Slovenia in the final again. Go Lea!

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Cool girl. Energetic perormance. Middle of scoreboard finish in final

My2Cents
My2Cents
6 years ago

omg please qualify!!! I will be voting for her like crazy. You guys have to watch her press conference she’s hilarious especially towards the end.

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Better than most of the songs in this SF, Slovenia should qualify! About the the fake blackout… well, I hope it works better for her than it worked for Barei.

Anita
Anita
6 years ago

I am glad – she is my Queeeeen too. She will/must qualify. I love you William!

Ally
Ally
6 years ago

I think I saw her but t, better than hair flip, indeed!

Miguel
Miguel
6 years ago

I like what they have done here. The lightning effects, the outfits, even Lea’s performance.
I am curious about the camera angles to understand it better.
The performance will be memorable and maybe the running order can help it?

PS: Does she say “Obrigada” instead of “Hvala” at the end? That is cool.

Yaa
Yaa
6 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

I think the last chorus is entirely in portuguese

Kyna
Kyna
6 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

Yes the last chorus was indeed in Portuguese. I find it as a nice little nod to Portugal.

Geeky Monky
Geeky Monky
6 years ago

My favorite this year.
Obrigada, SIM!

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

There’s so much unexploited potential in this entry…

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I can’t believe they dropped the frames routine. It was so well performed on EMA, I’ll miss it for sure. I’m curious to see this “fake blackout”, but I usually don’t like this kind of thing. Anyway, unless it’s very cringy, I’ll probably root for Slovenia to go to the final. Lea and her dancers are great, the song is bold and we’ll need some wackiness to cut the tension on the big night. Oh, and on the snippet I can hear that she sings the ending in Portuguese. It’s a nice touch, I wonder if they’ll keep it.

R
R
6 years ago

Lot’s of booty there!

Efraim
Efraim
6 years ago

Just a bit of a warning: Barei already attempted the fake blackout two years ago and ended up fifth to last.

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
6 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

That’s what I immediately thought about as well
Of course, they should be careful with it and not ruin their chances of qualifying

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Efraim

well yeah, but Douwe Bob also did it and finished 11th… We’ll see..

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

But Douwe Bob’s pause was part of the message of the song. It didn’t meant to look like an unforeseen mistake.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

true, we’ll have to wait and see.

P!nk Forever
P!nk Forever
6 years ago

Iconic. Outstanding. Unforgettable.

Hvala yay!

Euphoric
Euphoric
6 years ago

Deserves a place in the Final.