He’s the German Greek-American singer who will represent Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. And on December 17 Sandro Nicolas let us know that he’s beyond honoured to sing for the Mediterranean nation.

“I never expected anything like that, but it happened and I’m stoked!” he tells us during a break in his recording session at a studio just outside of London. “I cannot believe it, but it’s reality. I’m honoured and so proud and happy.”

Born in Germany to an American father and Greek mother, he’s crossing borders and cultures. So it’s not exactly surprising that he feels right at home flying the flag for Cyprus in Rotterdam.

“My mom is Greek and [Cypriots] are just the same,” he says. “It’s a different country, but I have a strong connection to Cypriot people. I’ve been to Cyprus and they are just the same and I love them. I’ve got so much love for this country and the people and the food…..it’s such a beautiful country and people are so open, so sweet, so nice.”

Sandro lives in Düsseldorf but he didn’t watch Eurovision 2011. In fact, he says he didn’t discover Eurovision properly until 2018. But once he did it was like unleashing a genie from a bottle.

“It was so great,” he says. “It got me really excited and I was thinking to myself, ‘what if you end up at Eurovision at some point?’ and now I have! It’s surreal.”

If you’re expecting some Luca Hänni-esque dance moves, think again.

“I’m probably the worst dancer on earth, so I’m not really into dancing. If you would see me dance, you would run away for real. I’m really bad at dancing I have to say. I wish I could dance but it’s just not for me. I’ve tried many times.”

Sandro’s Eurovision 2020 song for Cyprus

The process of choosing his song is ongoing, but this much we know: it won’t be a dance banger. Instead, he imagines the song will ultimately feel like “Shawn Mendes kisses James Arthur kisses Lewis Capaldi”.

“It will be something that comes straight from the heart. I’m a very emotional guy and I have a story to tell. I want to help people out.”

“I think music is also about helping each other and I write music for people that feel sad, that feel alone, abandoned. I wrote a song that is about that very thing — that not everything in this life is always good or about happiness. Our song has a strong message. I write music that is real and that comes from a very true and genuine place.”

And when he says he writes, he means it. No one is handing him songs — he prefers to co-write — and he’ll only sing a song he truly loves.

“Music used to always be an event for me. Whenever I felt sad or depressed or anxious, I started to write. And I started to write my emotions down and have a getaway more or less. That was my escape. Most importantly it’s therapy for me as well. Yeah, I think it’s a beautiful thing to have something in your life where you can basically get rid of all your negative thoughts. I did that by writing it down. That was always a great thing.”

At the moment there are a handful of demos that could be “the one” for ESC. “We’re definitely getting close. It’s not final yet but there are a couple of songs that are being considered at the moment. It’s going to be a tough decision. I love all the songs — all songs come straight from the heart.”

And when he finally sings he wants the world to know what he’s feeling. “At the end of the day music is about realness,” he says.

“To be able to sing your own song in front of 200 million people is probably the craziest thing ever.”

View this post on Instagram

Count your blessings on a daily basis ! #grateful #lit #love

A post shared by SANDRO (@sandromusic_official) on

What does Sandro Nicolas’ tattoo mean?

Many of you have pointed out that Sandro has a large tat of the American flag on his left arm. He says it’s a nod to his roots and ambitions.

“It’s about family, the American dream, my goal. I represented the States in Russia [at New Wave]. There’s a lot behind it.”

“My inspiration comes straight from this country, my family as well. Most importantly my goal. My goal is to be signed to some American label at the end of the day….that’s the culture where I come from. I’ve been raised in a very American way, especially when it comes to music.”

“It’s not a political thing at all. People might tend to think that. It’s about music, it’s about dreams, it’s about life. That’s why I got inked.”

It also pays homage to his greatest idol — Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.

“He died in 2017 and that was a big loss. That really shook me because from the jump on he was my idol and my inspiration. When he died I kind of decided to get a tattoo. He’s always in my heart. I’ve got him here forevermore. He’s the reason why I do what a do. Thank you so much Chester Bennington.”

Are you loving Sandro’s realness as much as we are? Do you think he’ll tug on your heartstrings at Eurovision 2020? Sound off in the comments box below!

Read more Cyprus Eurovision news

17 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
El3a
El3a
4 years ago

hope it isn’t Feugo 3.0

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

THANK YOU! I was terrified we were in for the third year in a row of “Fuego” or “Replay” but it looks like he’s more down for something Mahmood or Duncan-esque (between him and the potential candidates for countries like Estonia or Georgia, we may be in for a couple of emotional dudes).

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago

Good luck to him! I look forward to Cyprus’ entry….And yes, it would be nice not to see another latin-dance type of entry 3rd year in a row.

Manuel Treill
Manuel Treill
4 years ago

Sounds like a Duncan-Lawrence rip-off

Chris
Chris
4 years ago

Good to hear it’s not a dance song would really hate to hear the fuego alike comments 2 years in a row.

LongLiveYugoslavia
LongLiveYugoslavia
4 years ago

“Shawn Mendes kisses James Arthur kisses Lewis Capaldi”…oh lord this is going to be another generic throwaway pop song.

Why can’t more countries send something that reflects their culture and music scene. Greece 2018 is an example!

LongLiveYugoslavia
LongLiveYugoslavia
4 years ago

Dislike all you want, I just don’t like the fact nearly every country has to go for American influenced pop songs instead of something authentic to their own country

pepe
pepe
4 years ago

And with American influenced pop songs you mean songs like “Džuli”, “Ja Sam Za Ples”, “Rock Me” and “Hajde Da Ludujemo”?

LongLiveYugoslavia
LongLiveYugoslavia
4 years ago
Reply to  pepe

Which weren’t sung in English

Charles
Charles
4 years ago

If Lewis Capaldi or James Arthur are nothing but generic pop music … then you must be proud of your PhD on bubble gum Britney Spears lip sync masterpieces! How about a Post-phd on One Hit Wonders of the 2000s and 2010s?

jared
jared
4 years ago

i also look much younger than i am. having a babyface can be a blessing or a curse.

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

This guy is saying a lot of really good things. I really hope the song is good now!

Fefe
Fefe
4 years ago

Watching those videos I can’t believe William is 15 years older than Sandro 🙂

But I really hope his song will be good.

Erica
Erica
4 years ago
Reply to  Fefe

It’s those East Asian genes!

FanESC
FanESC
4 years ago
Reply to  Fefe

Wait, William is 38 ?! I thought that he was like 27/32. If it’s true, I’m really shocked !

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  FanESC

I’m also SHOOK!

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  FanESC

Philip Kirkorov himself was shocked when he learned of William’s age-defying essence.