Conan Osíris will represent Portugal at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv with his song “Telemóveis”. It’s a daring mix of genres that draws from the Iberian nation’s rich traditional music, but with its eyes set on the future. We dare you to define it.
To reach Eurovision, Conan had to win Portugal’s national selection Festival da Canção. Sixteen songs competed for the honour and Osíris emerged victorious, winning first place with both the juries and the televote — an accomplishment that not even Eurovision 2017 winner Salvador Sobral was able to achieve. Could it signal that great things are to come?
From his golden arrows to the body glitter to that death-dropping dancer, Conan’s outré performance is weirdly gripping and has left plenty of Eurofans asking some big questions.
To help you get to the bottom of the man behind that stage show, we’re pleased to present 10 facts about Conan Osíris. Let’s do this!
1. He has a phobia of balloons
Conan is quite a dark and other-worldly performer. So you’d think that he is as fearless off stage as he is on. Yet while Conan is happy to dial in on the dead with his song, he’s less keen about balloons. That’s right. When he comes across inflatable rubbers he loses his mind. Thank god he ain’t performing at Melodifestivalen! Luckily, they prefer to drop confetti at Eurovision.
2. He draws inspiration while washing the dishes
Being iconic is not for everyone and if you try to be iconic you’ll fail. You either are or you’re not. Some artists need silence and concentration to dive into their emotions. Others, like Conan, need to wash the dishes to kickstart the creative process. Crazy? Yes. Relatable? Totally. How many times have people used these dull moments to unleash fierce feelings?
What is the most common activity in which Conan Osíris gets inspired to write music? Washing the dishes, of course. #eurovision #daretodream #telelelavive pic.twitter.com/rLL8A4H90h
— Bernardo Pereira (@bernardontp) March 20, 2019
3. He has a collection of stuffed animals
It’s commonplace to say that the child in you never dies — no matter what your age. People like Tiago Miranda (Conan’s real name) take that very seriously. His new obsession? Creating a collection of stuffed toys. Because why not? As you can see below, even young Tiago knew how to cook up a good idea.
4. He stated a degree in graphic design but never finished it
This one might explain why visuals and an appreciation for art come through so clearly in his work. Image and design were always a part of Tiago’s life. Even as a youngster he experimented with fashion and crafting “a look”. And that’s still true, even if he doesn’t have a fancy piece of paper to prove it. Here’s a snap of him turning out.
5. He gets mad when it’s raining or when he’s hungry
Been there, done that. Rain makes most people moody and hunger can “destroy” friendships. Fair warning to everyone working with catering in Tel Aviv — get Conan Osíris his meal at proper times or you’ll feel his wrath.
6. His first job was working in Lisbon’s oldest sex shop
It may seem like an irrelevant curiosity about Conan’s profile and personality, but it’s one of the most interesting. Working in a sex shop allowed the Portuguese star to study and understand humanity’s deepest and most private desires. It also taught Osíris how to eradicate judgement from his life. Because, let’s be honest, the last thing you want in a sex shop is a judgy salesperson.
7. He is a Pokémon lover
Tiago Miranda is part of the first generation which experienced the gaming revolution that was Pokémon. While for most of his life he was part of the minority, we’re sure he is part of the majority on this topic. He even knows the level in which the Pokémon Bulbasaur evolves. That’s devotion!
8. Milk is his drink of choice
When you go out with friends you might order coffee, maybe an alcoholic beverage or even a free alcohol cocktail. But it’s rather strange if you ask for milk. Well, Conan Osíris is all about being strange in this regard. He doesn’t drink alcohol and he doesn’t smoke. His fixation for ordering milk at bars is the perfect excuse for his friends to make fun of him — in all the right ways.
9. His stage name is inspired by a Japanese anime series
This one most of you probably already know. His stage name, Conan Osíris, is inspired by the Japanese Miyazaky anime series Future Boy Conan. Most interestingly, the premise of said series is connected with the supposed end of the world. In a weird way, you can make a connection between this and the song “Telemóveis”.
10. He thought Matay, NBC or Calema would win Festival da Canção
He wasn’t alone in this. While international Eurovision fans were sure Conan would win Festival da Canção, Portuguese fans reserved their celebrations until the very last minute. Like them, Conan thought the jury and televote would go for a more mainstream or traditional song. We’re glad they did not.
Are you excited to see Conan Osíris bring “Telemóveis” to life in Tel Aviv? Did you LOL at some of his curiosities? Tell us in the comments.
Who wins the Eurostory Best Lyrics Award 2019? [poll!]
Italy – Soldi (Mahmood, lyricists: Dardust, Mahmood)
Tsjechië – Friend of a friend (Lake Malawi, lyricists: Jan Steinsdoerfer, Maciej Mikolaj Trybulec, Albert ?erný)
Portugal – Telemóveis (Conan Osíris, lyricist: Conan Osíris)
https://www.eurostory.nl/en/who-wins-the-eurostory-best-lyrics-award-2019-poll/
Conan, of course
If we talk about the lyric it’s definitely Conan & Mahmood- deep personal story !!
Pls. Everybody knows that Bulbasaur evolves at lv 16 and then again at lv 32.
I really want to see this guy delivering in the Final and I´m pretty sure he will. This song is so different from all other entries…Wishing you the best of luck!
Pokemon lover and ESC STAR!
I am crazy about Osiris!
“He is a Pokémon lover”
Now I undestand why some instrumental parts sounds like Lavender village song in Pokemon 1st generation.
He and the dancer are great performers – they’ll definitely get lots of attention. I always laugh when the dancer comes down the steps and falls flat on his face…like a dead chicken! Ha ha !!
When is the music video for “Telemoveis” coming out?!?!?
Every interview i see with him here in Portugal makes me like him even more, I loved the song when i first heard it and since watching Conan in different interviews i love him as a person, such a stunningly beautiful human being with a humble and kind soul. I truly hope the people get behind him and he qualifies for the final, the song and the person so deserve it.
I’m obsessed with him and his song. Plus, he’s lovely.
Who knows what will happen to him in Eurovision, but one of my joys during this season is to watch Conan’s interviews. He’s funny, endearing and insightful. What he says is as unexpected as his music.
Hands up to Portugal for taking such a risk sending this amazing piece. Good Luck to Conan! Can´t wait for the staging.
This feels more like a hipster art performance than a song. Like someone just decided to go all the way with it. But forgot to include a song..
I applaud Portugal for risking it but it might not pay off
Let´s hope it will! But the song is definitely here!
I agree a risky choice not like the pop songs we always have…
You are a breath of fresh air, dear Conan. Love and all my votes from Denmark.
So true so fresh
Portugal despite taking a different music and with various ethnic styles, this year does not lead me to vote for it. But good Luck for Portugal to stay at least in the Top 10.
I really think his personality will seduce. He seems such a nice and simple person. Always talk with this incredible humility that makes him so cute. A real open minded artist who’s always passing the message to accept the diference! Conan is a diamond and unique. I will definitely vote for him, can’t wait to see his staging!
He just adorable man, an artist with a special deep voice that can be recognized from a thousand others. And his personality is all about freedom, and I can feel it in his lyric & music! Just thanks Portugal for this unique artist !!! P.S. and thank you Mr. Bernardo )
Real, true artist! I will vote for him for sure. Beautiful, open minded person and his song in one of the best this year, my top 3. How different from Sergey….
Love the fact that he worked in a sex shop, that says a lot about him. I’ve seen some interviews and he always seems super nice and humble. He should be rewarded for thinking out the box. Him and Hatari are my favorites.
He recently said in an interview that his performance will be different from the one is the national final and it’s going to include lots of symbolism and architecture and some explicit contexts
Where can I find it?
Go Conan! He is just great!
Being a Pokémon fan is always a plus for me.
People who don’t drink alcohol usually order some soda pop or ask for a glass of water at a bar. Asking for milk is adorable.
Great article Bernardo. Thanks for the spotlight on our star.
You’re welcome! xx
Wow love this man!
In Eurovision you have singers and artists, Conan is an amazing Artist!
I’m seriously starting to worry about his qualification
He is dropping in odds and others’ tops
And his draw is not good either
The odds, the odds, always the odds. Let the contest be about music and performance!
Not only the odds but there are a lot of typical viewers who didn’t get this and mocked his song
+ juries will not vote for him bc there are better songs like greece
We’ll only know what the juries voted for after the grand final, anything else is speculation.
As there are some viewers who didn’t get you said there are also so many ones who actually really get it… and you truly said “didn’t” that doesn’t mean there won’t 😉
It alreay touched the heart of so many people already… that’s what music is supposed to do not judging by odds or anything else 😉
Odds are stupid to begin with.
Tbh, if you know pokemon, it’s easy to know when the starters evolve. It’s more a skill when you know when dragon type poke.on evolve ^.^
I can see him and Mahmood netfix n chilling in a Tel Aviv hotel if Mahmood don’t bring his BF to Eurovision
Why are you obsessed with sex?
Wow I just listened the Karaoke version. This music is a masterpiece.
Where is the incredible gif after #1 from?
Fact #11 Conan is LGBTQ+
When did he came out?
As i remember In one of his local interview he said he is pansexual and has a boyfriend
In another interview he said he is not taken .
It’s pretty obvious he’s queer
He clearly said in a recent interview that he is single and in another that – paraphrasing – did not believe in love. About being pan/queer did not know but he is definitely lgbt+
11. His outfits are mind-blowing.
He better not stan Grass type Pokémon because Mahmood‘s Rayquaza is most likely going to destroy him. Still adore his love for Pokémon, first generation because I grew up with it too.
I have a stuffed animals collection too (apart of the ones I made, I love build-a-bear and I took get one plushie of whatever I visit) and my hubby loves Pokemo. We could be friends with him.
Still not sold into the song tho.