One man who never fails to bring the drama is Romania’s 2006 representative and regular Selectia Nationala returnee Mihai Traistariu – now known by the pseudonym M I H A I. This 2019 Eurovision season he has managed to withdraw his folk-pop entry “Baya” not only from Romania’s selection, but also recently from Belarus’ selection as well. Now neutral to the competition, the singer has shared his thoughts on this Sunday’s final of Selectia Nationala, and who he thinks is in the running to represent Romania at Eurovision 2019.

On Monday, he shared the following with protv.ro:

“I liked Mihai Ogasanu and Alexandru Serbu’s songs most. I think the fight will be between Letiția Moisescu and Ester Peony. The international jury will choose from the two. The Romanian public, which will count only 15% in the final, will vote Laura Bretan and Bella Santiago, influenced by their massive promotion.”

Selecția Națională’s current favourites are considered to be Bella Santiago and Laura Bretan, who won the jury vote in their respective semi finals. Of the two, Laura Bretan scored highest, with a total of 60 points from the 5 jurors. However, with Bella Santiago just behind behind with 54 points in a semi final that could be described as the tougher of the two, these numbers are certainly not the final word. Sunday’s jury will consist of, among others, Emmelie de Forest and wiwibloggs’ very own William and Deban. They’ve assured us they have no idea how they’ll vote and that it all comes down to the live performance and staging.

However, Mihai does not believe that their success with the juries will continue with the final, and he instead states that Letiția Moisescu & Sensibil Balkan and Ester Peony will be in top position come this Sunday.

This seems a bizarre prediction when both acts finished in fifth and fourth place respectively in last Sunday’s semi-final – although it cannot be denied that the international jury may have a completely different opinion to that of the Romanian jury.

Contrastingly, he does believe that the two favourites, Bella and Laura, will win the televote. Although the televote results from the semi-finals have not been disclosed, one would assume that this is true, due to their large number of YouTube views and popularity in fan polls. However, Mihai does make the very good point that the televote only counts for 15% of the vote – meaning that the power really is in the hands of the international jury.

The conclusion? Well, evidence seems to suggest that it is, in fact, a two way battle between the two fan favourites, Bella Santiago and Laura Bretan, to win both the jury vote and the televote – and that Mihai, unfortunately, is chatting utter rubbish. However, we cannot disregard a surprise win as we saw last year in Romania, with The Humans on nobody’s radar as a potential winner.

What to expect from Sunday’s show

Meanwhile, two interval acts for this Sunday’s grand final have been announced: Danish Eurovision winner and jury member Emmelie de Forest, Eurovision 2018 winner Netta and FiK star Iris Neziri. Whilst an Albanian national final act may seem very out of place for a Romanian audience, let us not forget that she recently won the Golden Stag Festival that is held annually in Brasov. The running order has also been revealed, and will be as follows:

  1. Linda Teodosiu – Renegades
  2. Olivier Kaye – Right Now
  3. Laura Bretan – Dear Father
  4. Teodora Dinu – Skyscraper
  5. Claudia Mirea – We Are the Ones
  6. Aldo Blaga – Your Journey
  7. Ester Peony – On a Sunday
  8. Letitia Moisescu & Sensibil Balkan – D A I N A
  9. Bella Santiago – Army of Love
  10. Trooper – Destin
  11. DYA & Lucian Colareza – Without You (Sin Ti)
  12. Vaida – Underground

Of the two favourites, this would favour Bella Santiago over Laura Bretan — although the impact of running order is often minimal. The show, which will be broadcast live on TVR 1, TVR Moldova, TVRi, TVR HD and on-line on TVR+, takes place this Sunday, February 17, at 20:30 Romania time (so 18:30 London / 19:30 Paris).

So what do you think? Is it a two way race between Bella and Laura? Do Ester or Leticia have a chance of stealing the favourites’ thunder? Should Mihai send and withdraw his song from Poland’s selection as well? Let us know in the comments below!

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MddM
MddM
5 years ago

1. MIHAI leaves Selec?ia Na?ionala because it is -at least as he stated- already fixed
2. He predicts a totally out-of-race contestant will be the actual winner
3. While nobody takes him into account, he proves right.

Connect the dots.

Porsteinn
Porsteinn
5 years ago

I can’t believe Mihai was right…

you are cancelled wiwi
you are cancelled wiwi
5 years ago

Shame on you and your utter rubbish bigotry “Well, evidence seems to suggest that it is, in fact, a two way battle between the two fan favourites, Bella Santiago and Laura Bretan, to win both the jury vote and the televote – and that Mihai, unfortunately, is chatting utter rubbish.”

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Mihai KNOWS!

Maritza
Maritza
5 years ago

William and Deban, you should be ashamed for your votes! You are corrupted

HUHU
HUHU
5 years ago
Reply to  Maritza

Yah really dissapointed by them

Jake
Jake
5 years ago

MIHAI MUST BE A FORTUNE TELLER CAUSE HE WAS RIGHT!!!!!

Lolek
Lolek
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Literally pooping bricks!! I’m dying at the irony. Mihai knew XD

Ivan
Ivan
5 years ago

He was right!

Lady Gagarina
Lady Gagarina
5 years ago

I still cannot at that derivative Bella Santiago. She is very reductive, ripping from other Filipino artists like 4th Impact and KZ Tandingan, now with a song ripped from Eleni. I’m not sure why people are not seeing through this. If you wanna stan for her because she’s Filipina, there’s dozens more other Filipinas from around the world who are leaps & bounds from her. She is just sooooooooooo reductive, I just can’t

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago

The information about the 2 Wiwibloggs jurors is totally unexpected. I have to say that I don’t have too much trust in them, knowing their preferences and expecting them putting Bella Santiago very high just for being an up-tempo song. My advice for them would be to be jurors today and not voters on their preferences.

Pancake
Pancake
5 years ago

I don’t care about anyone’s drama or beef with each other here.
I’m only here to say, I’m #TeamBella all the way.
Have a good day.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

Hey! There’s a user here who should be banned! It’s going too far already!

Julian
Julian
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

Some people are full of hate. Nothing to do about it, just feel pity for them.

fan
fan
5 years ago

If one of the judges is a co-writer of one of the songs to be judged in the final, then there is nothing more to be said really..so….

Mariano Mon Amour
Mariano Mon Amour
5 years ago
Reply to  fan

No, he collaborated with Bella in the past, he doesn’t have a song in competition. Remember that last year Ilinca judged Alex Florea, and she was fair.

Mariano Mon Amour
Mariano Mon Amour
5 years ago

Is great if Laura will go to ESC, but if you are in adult ESC you can’t play “the kid card”. If you feel a kid go to JESC.

marius cris
marius cris
5 years ago

the minimum age of participation is 16 years, 17 years will be Laura in April

Loin dici
5 years ago

By the way, Mihai can say anything about this since he was asked to. I also can’t cancel his opinion since… it was right, in a sense. Romanian and international juries may or may not have different voting patterns–a case happened in France when Gabriella Laberge was left in the semi by the juries, while the Francophones favored her offering (or, remember Bilal?). We can put our trust in Wiwi and Deban, but the other four may vote for someone else. The 15% made the televoting has no purpose, though–it’s too small. Laura and Bella bookies, start to hope they… Read more »

florinho
florinho
5 years ago

wiwi i am from romania and i ask you dont make any poll about romania final because you have 2 members in the jury

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  florinho

Indeed, there is a potential “conflict of interest” there. Thank you for raising that.

florinho
florinho
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

i am glad people agree with me

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  florinho

^this.

arj
arj
5 years ago

Where is the poll for Romania’s final?

Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
5 years ago

I think I just wet myself from the excitement, when I read that William and Deban will be in the international jury. Is this for real?!

Victorielle
Victorielle
5 years ago
Reply to  Daniel_2017

Yeah, and I hope they vote for the best act. For me – BELLA SANTIAGO!!! 🙂

marius cris
marius cris
5 years ago
Reply to  Victorielle

LAURA BRETAN
is the best voice

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago

Laura Bretan is the pretty much clear winner, now that everybody wants to make a shocking statement is not important. Last year there was no clear favourite, The Humans might be seen as a surprise, but anyone would have been seen as a little surprise.

Horace the Talking Wombat
Horace the Talking Wombat
5 years ago

I heard Laura Bretan is very homophobic.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago

A very homophobic 16 years old girl… it sounds pretty strange, don’t you think? Now, in our days when being not gay means homophobic for many people, many will call her homophobic. She sings a religious song, that’s so far the only argument for her homophobia. She can do big thins in Eurovision, that’s why she’s called homophobic. The contenders don’t want her to win, so homophobia is a gun to take her down. But it’s hard to think that a kid can truly be homophobic, I mean I don’t know what can be taken serious from a 16 years… Read more »

Horace the Talking Wombat
Horace the Talking Wombat
5 years ago

She may not be the only one that’s homophobic.

lee
lee
5 years ago

Laura Bretan is the pretty much clear bitch .

Ugna
Ugna
5 years ago

Since I heard the homophobic stuff about Laura, I‘m all in for Bella

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

Why does he do this to himself? MIHAI is ridiculous. It’s not that I care about the Romanian winner, but he just wants to seek for attention to stay under the spotlight. Doesn’t he have some friends or a therapist to advice him on not to act this way? He should seek for help rather than persistently making a joke of himself.

Veta
Veta
5 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

He can do whatever he wants until he doesn’t harm anybody. He didn’t even say anything controversary in this interview, what’s your problem with him here?

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Laura will win, I think it’s kinda obvious actually.

Gurl
Gurl
5 years ago

Laura’s song and voice are amazing, simmply beautiful

Horace the Talking Wombat
Horace the Talking Wombat
5 years ago
Reply to  Gurl

Her bigotry slightly less so.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

Just a word of caution.
If Laura Bretan does win for Romania, Wiwibloggs needs to turn off the comments section to that post immediately. Based on what I have read so far on Romania-themed posts this year, there’s a strong possibility that Wiwibloggs will receive a barrage of objectionable comments. Laura Bretan is a minor, and she has child rights on her side. Please Wiwibloggs, do not take the legal risk of enabling this platform to denounce a child – you have a decision to make; please make the right one and remain legally responsible. Thank you.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I tend to agree with you on this one. In general, I think that people have a right to criticize a song, no matter who performs it. If it’s a child, the critics should be less harsh and more constructive, though. That said, people often cross the line in the comments and make it personal. It is especially bad when that happens towards a minor performer. In this case, it can be especially tricky. IF it is true that Laura’s views on gay marriage are negative, I can understand people getting defensive. In the same way, they need to understand… Read more »

Mariano Mon Amour
Mariano Mon Amour
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Is EBU’s fault, 16 is not an age for ESC. Laura belongs to JESC, honestly.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

I agree. JESC should be under 18 (with no lower age restriction, as long as one can sing), and ESC should be 18+. JESC should have much more benign juries, complimenting everyone (wherever there is a real reason to, whether the voice, the melody, the lyrics, whatever is good in it) and only pointing out top 3 or top 5.

Jiji
Jiji
5 years ago

Kristian Kostov had 17 when he participates. Laura will had also 17 in may.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

The homosexuals have to be protected, not the kids, be serious…

Jingo
Jingo
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Since when being 16 entitles a person to be homophobic and racist?

Mariano Mon Amour
Mariano Mon Amour
5 years ago

Laura is an underage girl, born into a traditional family, she hates no one, but if you ask her, she will say that she is against gay marriage. Maybe later in life she will think with her own brain, there is hope. The latest article about Romania has the comments blocked and I can’t comment there, but I want to say that in October was a two days referendum that proved that 80% of Romanians are either pro gay marriage, or they don’t care. Only 20% of Romanians are against gay marriage. Don’t listen to anybody that tell you about… Read more »

Jingo
Jingo
5 years ago

So teens can go ahead assault all the people they feel like to assault and against marriage between different races?

Jingo
Jingo
5 years ago
Reply to  Jingo

16 is like a grown ass bitch now?it’s 2019?

Marius Cris
Marius Cris
5 years ago

At present, in Romania, gay couples can not marry or adopt children because they are not legally recognized as a family.
Also, Romanian legislation prohibits the recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions legally contracted abroad.Romania is among the last countries in the EU that do not recognize any form of same-sex civil union.

Julian
Julian
5 years ago

Laura can bring millions more audience to the show. And is the only Romanian entry that can really stand out. It is the best choice for all ESC stakeholders. Except for her when she will face a lot of hate.

Adriana
Adriana
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

I absolutely agree.One thing is sure ,that she is not homophobic,I think after the final we will hear about this .

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

Everyone who’s truly loved will receive a lot of hate. When you’re not hated you did something wrong.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Julian

This bashing of a child is just not right, objectivaly, legally and morally. These things have gone too far!

James
James
5 years ago

Mihai must have eaten some bitter lemons for lunch.

Teeks
Teeks
5 years ago

H E H I G H

Jordy
Jordy
5 years ago

I hope Ester of Bella wins.

Victorielle
Victorielle
5 years ago
Reply to  Jordy

Bella all the way!

Mariano Mon Amour
Mariano Mon Amour
5 years ago

Laura Bretan will not have time for pre-parties, Vaida will give birth in March, I don’t want a winner that can’t be completely involved. Bella wants it so much.

Veta
Veta
5 years ago

Vaida said the child birth won’t stop her from caring about Eurovision.

Gurl
Gurl
5 years ago
Reply to  Veta

Lol, why is it important, Salvador and Netta didn’t attend many pre-parties, if I remember correctly.

Robert
Robert
5 years ago

Bitter queen

Miki Bihon
Miki Bihon
5 years ago

He is doing a reverse psychology method. He knows both songs are great.

Veta
Veta
5 years ago

First of all, the author of this article is completely wrong informed. There was no international jury in the semi-finals, only local one. In the final there’s gonna be completely another jury and we can’t know how will they vote. So your agruements are kinda suck.
As about Mihai’s prediction, let’s hope he is right because these two songs are much better than overrated fan-favourites and would really deserve to win the selection over them. Especially Daina.

Adriana
Adriana
5 years ago
Reply to  Veta

The most watched songs are Bella Santiago and Laura Bretan ,be real for once.

Veta
Veta
5 years ago
Reply to  Adriana

So what if they are most watched? It only means they are hyped and I don’t contend this fact.

Horace the Talking Wombat
Horace the Talking Wombat
5 years ago
Reply to  Adriana

You telling people to be real, running around like Laura is paying your bills and isn’t a giant homophobe? Interesting stance.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

With everything he does or syas I hate him a little bit more. Can he just leave the ESC community?

Geo
Geo
5 years ago

“Selec?ia Na?ional?’s current favourites are considered to be Bella Santiago and Laura Bretan, who won the international jury vote in their respective semi finals. Of the two, Laura Bretan scored highest, with a total of 60 points from the 6 jurors”

Say whaaaaat? There were 5 jurors, first of all. And second, they were all Romanian. No international jury in the semifinals! Only in the final….

And third, Mihai is loony… here in Romania no one likes him

Guy
Guy
5 years ago
Reply to  Geo

I demand a link to the results of the semi-finals!

RMNA
RMNA
5 years ago
Reply to  Guy

Complete results of the semifinals will only be made public after the final,same as in Eurovision.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

I disagree with Mihai. Dear Father is the most watched song on TVR’s YouTube channel. It won maximum points from the jury last Sunday. She’s got an angelic voice and she’s a very young and beautiful girl. Army Of Love is literally Fuego 2.0 and people actually enjoy it and dance to it, though I have a feeling Laura will win.

Óliver
Óliver
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

ewww

Óliver
Óliver
5 years ago
Reply to  Óliver

Laura is a ignorant homophobe period.

Victorielle
Victorielle
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

How do you know Dear Father got maximum points from the jury? Did they post it somewhere? Txs

And you know what? I prefer to dance than sit and listen. 😛

Kris P. Kreme
Kris P. Kreme
5 years ago

No article about Darude’s Superman?

https://areena.yle.fi/1-50073615

It’s meh, though. Has gentle Sandstorm sampling as well.

Marius
Marius
5 years ago

Is Netta really going to be an interval act on Sunday?

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  Marius

Yes.

Loin dici
5 years ago

Laura or Bella can still win, but if Ester and Letitia (plus Teo and Claud) can surprise us, who knows?

florinho
florinho
5 years ago

i freaked out when i saw mihai picture here.. this person scared the hell out of me

Evan
Evan
5 years ago

Mihai is an idiot. Let’s stop caring what he has to say, particularly when (as you point out when reporting that’s Bretan and Santiago won the jury votes) he has no idea what he’s talking about…

Fun or ban?
Fun or ban?
5 years ago

It has to be Laura Bretan.

Esc1234
Esc1234
5 years ago

Mihai needs to get off social media cause he has mental issues. From the other side, I can’t understand why the public has only the 15% of the final vote. It’s just wrong

Rona
Rona
5 years ago
Reply to  Esc1234

It’s normal after last year’s disaster tbh. It was all about who knows more people in Romania to vote for them.

Veta
Veta
5 years ago
Reply to  Esc1234

The first senctence of your comment is ableist as hell and disgusting. You can’t question someone’s right to using social media due to mental issues.

just me
just me
5 years ago

i dont think its ok and fair to ask people who they think will win while 2members of wiwiblogs are in the international jury

Matthew
Matthew
5 years ago

Is there a lack of mental institutions in Romania? Cuz he needs one STAT!

Candy
Candy
5 years ago

Mihai is… well, he posted inappropriate pics in some fan chat – and there were several minor fans in that chat. Don’t give that guy a platform. I don’t think the attention he currently gets is good for him…

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

It’s just his opinion. Stranger things have happened.
On a side note, Emmelie de Forest continues to get herself just about everywhere!

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

I’d love to see Vaida pulling off a surprising win (She has a pimp spot too). Ester winning would also be a good surprise. From two “big” Eurofan favorites, I’m not sure which do I prefer, but both have excellent songs. Please, Romania, choose wisely, because you have some REALLY good songs!

9/10 – Vaida, Aldo Blaga
8.5/10 – Bella Santiago, Laura Bretan
8/10 – Ester Peony, Teodora Dinu
* I can see any of them pulling a 0.5 more on an outstanding live performance in the final.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

With MIHAi , things are clear: envy, friendships and delusional tendencies. What is sadly also clear is that the reporter didn’t actually follow this selection: for the semifinals there was no international jury, just a local one; the juries doesn!t have to change their minds since they are brand new ones; in the semifinals televoting started only after the first 5 entries were elected by the jury, so we cannot tell how the favourites scored. Tell us now, did you actually watched Moldavian Selectia Nationala , is it Bucharest or Budapest? And it’s going to be Laura, it’s visible from… Read more »

KESC
KESC
5 years ago

Is think he is the last person to have a say on that.

LukeGallagher
LukeGallagher
5 years ago

Not totally mad with the idea of Ester Peony having a shot at winning, out of the finalists, it’s my personal favourite!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago
Reply to  LukeGallagher

LOVED her live performance.