It’s the microstate that never gives up. San Marino has tried multiple selection methods for the Eurovision Song Contest, ranging from quiet selections behind the scenes to the large-scale international competition “1 in 360”.
And now the usually reserved nation has revealed quite a bit of information regarding their entry for Tel Aviv. Their news coincides with a bold claim from Rodrigo Alves — aka the “Human Ken Doll” — on Instagram that he’s working on a song for Eurovision. Fans are now drawing connections: Are they separate dots or part of the same circle?
San Marino selects an “international artist”
Broadcaster RTV have officially announced that not only have they already selected an artist for Eurovision 2019, but that they’ve also selected and recorded the song.
Apparently they’re now in the final steps before the reveal. Alessandro Capicchioni, their Head of Delegation, said:
“We will soon host an official press conference in San Marino in a few weeks time, when we will give further details about RTV’s participation. At the moment we are working on the post production of the song and the videoclip.”
Carlo Romeo, Director General of SMRTV, says the team is pretty confident about their chosen act, which he describes as “a wonderful international artist.”
“This year we have worked hard on several proposals, as the Israeli edition is important to us for many reasons,” he said. “Eventually we chose the best project, fully supported and approved with a wonderful international artist. Fingers crossed, but I think we will have a very good entry.”
“Good luck to all our friends and colleagues involved in the organization of such an important TV event, a world-wide event based on a joyous combination of music and dialogue, spectacle and friendship.”
It’s important to note that the statement refers to the selected artist as “international” — continuing a well-established tradition. San Marino has drawn on international acts for Eurovision previously, including the Maltese-German duo of Jessika and Jenifer Brening, Italy’s Michele Perniola and Turkey’s Serhat.
Rodrigo Alves at Eurovision?
Rodrigo Alves is an Instagram star with around 770,000 followers. He’s known to have spent more than £500,000 on plastic surgery with the goal of looking like a human Ken Doll. He leveraged his “look” to become an Insta star and gain attention in tabloids around the world. That’s led to several appearances on reality TV programmes around the world. The MailOnline reports that he’s poised to get his 11th nose job in the new year.
He’s not just a man of many noses: he’s also a man of many tongues, as he speaks Italian, English, Portuguese, German, Spanish and French.
Brazilian-born Rodrigo shot to fame in the UK — he has a British father — after appearing on the 2018 edition of Celebrity Big Brother. His stint in the house came to a shameful end after he used an unforgivable racial slur to describe his preferred sexual partner. Producers ultimately expelled him from the house.
He’s also well-known in Italy, where he also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, but as a special guest for a few episodes.
In this video entitled “Bottoms Up! Rodrigo gets an Xmas butt lift”, we learn more about his love of plastic surgery and his ambitions to launch a singing career.
At 3:15 in the video, he also touches on Eurovision.
“I am going to be launching my very first pop song and I’m very excited. I’m aiming to be on Eurovision next year.”
The 35-year-old is known to be incredibly wealthy and has, in fact, had vocal training with Laura Pesenti in Milan. His ability to speak Italian, coupled with his deep pockets and Italy’s close ties with San Marino, are together painting an interesting picture.
Last week he posted the above Instagram post along with a very provocative caption.
“The secret to the success is to have the right people around you, who believes that you can do it working on a new pop hit which will be out next year!! #excited!! #eurovision !! Grazie mille a @alessioshekyfiorucci @leo_marchi and to the best friend in the world!!!!”
The man on the very right of the photo is celebrity plastic surgeon Giacomo Urtis. He took part in the latest series of Italy’s Survivor VIP Edition and released the following music. It seems like they could be collaborating. They’ve certainly got the funds to sort out San Marino’s cash-strapped broadcaster.
What do you think? Who would you like to see represent the microstate at Eurovision? Do you think it could be Rodrigo? Let us know in the comments below!
If San Marino is looking for international singers and wants to be a platform for international singers, they should be getting singers like Big Freeda, IU, Alice Chater, Eçe Seçkin, Richard Caddock, Emma Sandstrom, Sara De Blue, Prismo, Jain, Anitta (although she’s too famous now), and so on and so forth.
I also recommend that they just bring back 1in360 for 2020 to avoid this kind of embarrassment ever again. The should fix whatever problems with that show (like voting and songwriting) and leave it like that.
You know, it would probably be easier to find an artist from Australia.
But hey here’s to hoping it’s not actually Rodrigo that will represent San Marino.
It’s going to feed the trolls who feel that his participation would be “typical Eurovision”. But I guess the song is more important than his appearance. If it’s a good song and he can perform it live, then good luck to him.
Maybe San Marino should send Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton for next year’s Eurovision…
So many comments about what Russia will say…well, if Russia can handle Kirkorov…Ken Doll is just the boy next door.
Also comparison with Moldova. DoReDoS were brilliant, who thinks they were joke/troll act makes me lose faith in esc fans.
I’ve heard Rodrigo Alves is born rich, he only spends money. Poor parents, they must be proud.
Somebody from San Marino should have the chance to go to Tel Aviv.
His appearance frightens me slightly and I’m a grown adult. I hope it’s not him for San Marino. They’d honestly do better going with an unknown artist from Italy.
I like San Marino at Eurovision and although the quality of their songs is questionable, I always try to defend them. I was the only one last year who truly liked their song and hoped for a qualification, but this… this sounds trashy to me. I’m worried.
Better just withdraw and we’ll all be happy, San Marino.
Why doesn’t San Marino withdraw seriously ? They clearly can’t bring quality (except sometimes with Valentina) to Eurovision anyway…
Look at his Instagram- story. I think we Have the San Marinese entrant :/
Probably a rumour but if it’s true then San Marino has really stopped giving any f about the contest.
I like troll joke entries as much as the next person but this would be taking it to far. Do’t think that is the path San Marino needs to take..
Chucky’s twin
uhhh yikes
No, the International artist is Dana…….
or Rihanna (LOL)
The “song” posted above sung by Giacomo is the very graphic description of CRINGE. The lyrics doesn’t even make any sense. How can anyone go to such low heights in order to have fame? He should be embarrased.
About the other guy, I hope it is just a coincidence. San Marino people seem to be talking seriously. It’s impossible to talk seriously about that guy. We and Eurovision don’t deserved it.
If this is true, I suscribe the words of @Fiore “I hope the people behind this decision will choke on that money they got from this… person.”
Now, I usually appreciate troll entries, but this is a step too far. San Marino, please no.
oh my god i never thought they could go lower than Siegel…
Another year of the San Marino freak show <3
San Marino has to wait till 2020 – then they have a singer that would fit into the ESC …..Kamila Ismailova ….. and this girl is 1000 times better than this fake Ken https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viy_lutCi38
I think that they are inspired by last year’s winning song title, “Toy”.
Let’s see if the human Ken can sing like last year winner..
This article just ruined my perfect day. If this is actually true, then I hope the people behind this decision will choke on that money they got from this… person.
what is the next step for San Marino in 2020 (if only money counts) ? Will we see Donald Trump sing for that country ? Ha ha
Of course not. Donny never pays for anything himself. San Marino is like a prostitute. They need a pimp who actually pays the bill.
If he is the representative of San Marino……then they should become last place in the Semi-Final ! I don’t know that dude in person but he made himself ugly and he is no singer + he is not very simpatico.
Thank you. I’m sure he isn’t ugly from himself but he really made himself ugly. Some people REALLY don’t know when to stop.
God why can’t San Marino see that this is not the way to go? San Marino should be the country that sends singers from all over the world that want to go to Eurovision but can’t becuase their country doesn’t participate, and that gives people from the small country a chance. They should not let the singers ‘buy’ themselves a place on ESC. I’m sure he is a great person but all that plastic surgery looks disgusting on him and I’m also pretty sure his song willl be dated Euro- trash from 2008 or something.
that is what I have thought ……San Marino could be the launching pad for people from Brazil, USA, Canada, South Africa ……. who want to be in that contest.
I totally agree with this comment!!!
I’m just hoping he’s another doof trying to pitch himself for any selection show and that he was already turned down. I’m the biggest Stan Marino there is and I’d lose all my desire to cheer them on if he was their choice.
Ken Doll doesn’t qualify as an “international artist” in every sense of the word.
Please, don’t do this San Marino. If he’s really going to ESC I’d immediately turn the TV off when he sings. God, I’m so scared of his face
Bouke – 100 % agree with you ?
I thought about You Decide too, but I think San Marino is the most plausible option. Besides, no Brits in that photo, all Italians and Rodrigo.
If true EBU should ban San Marion with immediate effect
Agree haha. I feel every country besides San Marino are trying. Do San Marino want to be the joke of ESC? Dont really know anymore. Montenegro and Macedonia i feel are really trying.
Ok, this is horrifiying.
I never thought that I’ll be able to use “uncanny valley” to describe a human, but…
Anyway – maybe he has a really great song that fits his vocals (no matter how great or bad singer he is) and thanks to his money San Marino will be able to provide a spectacle for a performance. But then again – maybe not. tbh I really hope he’s not San Marino’s selected artist, but considering he’s rich – I think he is.
This would be like the second coming of Dustin the Turkey
The issue will be… SAN Marino dont have the funds to pay entirely for their participation thenselves so they need funding from a source (ie singer thenselves or composer, hence years of Siegel!) He’s rich. That’s the first box ticked. I really hope he can sing.
If this is really happening (which I highly doubt), he better be a remotely competent singer. Sure, he has this whole ‘Human Ken Doll’ gimmick, but gimmicks only can get you so far by themselves.
Imagine Human Ken, Courtney Act and Bilal Hassani all at the Eurovision… the homophobic countries will FUME! 😀
Courtney Act and especially Bilal Hassani CAN actually sing, they are talented. But this dude can’t even normally speak. Plus he’s got a disgusting personality. If you really want to present LGBT community to the homophobic countries in the face of this guy, then no comment.
He was harmless at Big Brother Italy
The opposite can be said in CBB UK.
Rodrigo actually touched someone’s private parts while they were asleep on the show which is why he got booted off not for saying the N word
I think he recorded a song for You Decide but still waiting on the approval by BBC.
Tusán There are Italians involved in the project (as you can see from his insta post). It can’t just be a coincidence.
Jeez, is this really what San Marino has to do to participate at Eurovision when Valentina isn’t involved? Why do they bother if the best option they have is a stupid novelty like “the human Ken doll”? Don’t they have Irol, who’s actually from San Marino and actually wants to go?
We had girls with rich parents from ex soviet union, to sang for San Marino in JESC 2015. We had same situation with rich people represent this country in adult contest, first in 2016 and again in 2019
I am so done with this country’s BS. I will pray day and night that it will be your LAST participation in Eurovision, San Marino. Go find a better hobby.
*Facepalming* What wouldn’t Kazakhstan do to be in?!!! I’m sure they’d supply their golden two cents. Faroe Islands, Kosovo, Morocco… they’d delight us for sure. Instead, we have to cope with San Marino and a few other countries which don’t seem to make much effort. So more Kazakhstan and less San Marino (sorry, my dear, beloved and respected Valentina!)
They should have been expelled from Eurovision last year after choosing Jessika & Jenifer over Sara de Blue. That was one of the most stupid decisions I’ve seen in ESC National selections history. Of course it will get just worse. Their whole participation is a joke.
Hvala Ne !
Oh God. I thought they would finally send something normal to ESC. I am sure that it will be him, this is so San Marino. I really hoped they would send Sara de Blue though. It would be SO SO much better if we had Kazakhstan instead San Marino. I assure you their entry will be one the most ridiculous things we’ve seen in Eurovision. They need to be stopped srsly.
Please, no.
Robyn don’t scare me 😀
God yes! I want to hear what Russian media will say
Rodrigo Alves feat. Julia Samoylova would be awesome (not)
N O.
It’s like flushing all your money in the casino. San Marino shouldn’t do this.
I’d rather have the robots from last year hold up signs for 3 min
hahahahahaha you actually had me laughing there XD
John – you made my day with that comment ???