Singer-songwriter Sebastian Schub was among the lucky 20 invited to attend Germany’s recent Eurovision workshop — meaning that until recently he was still in the race to sing for Deutschland at Eurovision 2019. But German broadcaster NDR has now revealed that he’s withdrawn from the process. Sebastian says that he won’t be able to remain a candidate in the national final because he simply doesn’t have the time.
One may get a flashback to 2015, when Andreas Kümmert declared he wouldn’t represent Germany at Eurovision — and on stage just moments after his win. Thankfully Sebastian is sparing us all a repeat of that drama but pulling out before things are as high stakes and serious.
In materials sent out via NDR, the London-based artist said:
“Shortly after the ESC workshop in Cologne, I was occupied with other projects, so unfortunately there is no time left to compete in the German national final. It would surely be an honour representing Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv next year. I wish the best of luck to all of the remaining candidates!”
Sebastian would definitely have brought some flavour to the national final with his rocky voice and self-evident style. But there are no hard feelings from German Eurovision coordinator Thomas Schreiber, who responded to the news with warmth and kindness.
“We regret Sebastian’s decision, but also understand he is currently receiving job offers, which he cannot refuse. There will certainly be collaborations with Sebastian. In the past few weeks we were able to meet with a very talented and sympathetic person.”
What now?
The remaining 14 (known) + 5 (unknown) candidates have recorded 90-second video clips for the Eurovision Panel and the international jury, who will now choose the best of them to compete in the German national final.
The German broadcaster hasn’t revealed whether there will be a new candidate in the Top 20 or if the 6-8 finalists will be chosen from among those remaining in the top 19.
The national final will probably take place sometime in the last two weeks of February.
More information about the finalists is expected to be announced in early November.
What do you think about his decision to withdraw? Was Sebastian one of your favourites? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below!
Well I tried posting an answer but it’s awaiting moderation.
Out of 14 of the original top 20 known to jury, 10 are known to public and 4 are not. The 4 are still known to the jury and people on site in Cologne.
5 acts are unknown to all except the German core selection team.
The 4 of jury top 20 themselves decided to not make their name public. Just to add , as the article stated the German selection team invited more (5) artists who were not in the original top 20 of the jury so as to have a bigger pool of artists to choose from in the next stage. These are the unknown ones.
15 artist’s including this non future foreseeing guy had attended the thing in Cologne , out of which 11 names were made public as wished by the artists.(11-1=10)
4 artists known to the people on the jury and as selected by them did attend the same exercise, but wished to not be known to the general public. (4)
That makes the total of 14 acts out of the original top 20 still willing to represent Germany this year.
15 artist’s including this non future foreseeing guy had attended the thing in Cologne , out of which 11 names were made public as wished by the artists.(11-1=10) 4 artists known to the people on the jury and as selected by them did attend the same exercise, but wished to not be known to the general public. (4) That makes the total of 14 acts out of the original top 20 still willing to represent Germany this year. 5 artists out of the jury top 20, and hence unknown to the jury, people on site in Cologne were contacted by… Read more »
I said sth on this topic on our German fanpage and I will state the same here again: It is sad, yes, but you don’t know his reasons. And I warn everybody to speak negative about an artist for “almost nothing”. We have many applicants, we can fill the Top 20 without big problems, so don’t ruin his career for nothing. This is not a warning for wiwibloggs or Julian, no, you are all amazing <3 This is a warning for our social-media-generation where "celebs" are attacked for every little decision they take or mistake they do. Things can happen.… Read more »