In just under 24-hours we will learn the identity of Romania’s Eurovision 2020 representative. Ahead of the announcement, broadcaster TVR and Global Records have published the names of the three shortlisted candidates. They are Roxen, Diana V and Cezar.
Romania Eurovision 2020 shortlist
The trio were revealed in the latest instalment of the nightly show Destinaţia Eurovision. The chosen act will be confirmed in Tuesday’s episode, while the song selection process will form the focus of the last three episodes on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
All this leads to a one-artist, multi-song national final on 1 March.
But who are the final three?
Roxen
Roxen is a fresh-face on the Romanian music scene. Her breakout hit came in August 2019 when she featured on Sickotoy’s “You Don’t Love Me”. That reached number three on the airplay charts and even enjoyed some success in Bulgaria. For her debut proper, “Ce-ti Canta Dragostea”, she did better again — racking up 8.5 million YouTube views since November. She’s been compared to Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish.
Diana V
Diana V is an even newer name. She’s doesn’t appear to have released any major singles to date and her Instagram account appears to be only days old. Her bio simply reads “Unbothered”.
Cezar
Completing the trio is Cezar Guna. He too is fresh-faced. Despite failing to make any Voice Romania judges turn around as recently as September 2019, Cezar has already created several music videos. The most popular is “Nino Nino” with over 160,000 views.
Romania at Eurovision 2020 with Global Records
After missing out on the Eurovision grand final two years in a row, Romania is ready for change. The artist is being internally selected in conjunction with Global Records — home of INNA, Delia and Irina Rimes. However, the public will still be involved in choosing the act’s entry from a revamped five-song national final on 1 March.
The broadcaster confirmed the news in January, explaining that extensive research had been done before making the decsion. The broadcaster studied the selection methods used by other European public broadcasters, including those of Spain, Greece, Russia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, the UK and France.
TVR also looked at Romania’s Eurovision results in 2018 and 2019, where the country placed 11th and 13th respectively. The broadcaster decided that a “new approach” was needed for selecting its act for Rotterdam.
What do you think of the shortlist? Who do you want to see sing for Romania in Rotterdam? Let us know in the comments.
The selection should be open for any singer not only for those who are signed with Global Records, for a fair selection. Don’t you think so? Because your corrupt system many good voices could not apply for this selection. The corruption hits also the musical industry… “congratulations” Romania! In 2021 it will be one judge who will decide the singer and he will chose his daughter, yes?
Surprise! It’s Roxen.
I liked Roxen. Unique voice, modern sound, if she’s also a good live performer, I’m in.
I have pretty high hopes for Romania this year. Judge me if you want, but they’re one of my favorite countries in Eurovision. I’ve liked most of their songs, and one in particular (2010) is one of my all-time faves. Good luck! Also based on this I’m rooting for Roxen.
I think we’ll be surprised with Romania this year in a strong positive way ?….. fresh, stylish, modern, amazing moment wi’ll be presented on the Esc stage, I’m sure about this!
Roxen is the best choice. Love her voice, and with a killer song she could do well!
Global Records… house of huge romanian stars like INNA, Alexandra Stan, Antonia, etc… and they select this three newcomers? this internal election looked promising, but it disappointed me.
Maybe they didn’t wanted to participate cuz esc brings nothing new to their career?
Presumably they studied the selection methods of the UK to find out what NOT to do
Why does the girl in the first picture not have a golden chains around her neck like the other ones? Is it kinda status thing in RO?
She probably just forgot to wear them before the photo-shoot.
It will be Roxen. The other two look like backing vocalists, and this is not sarcasm. I think they already decided that it was Roxen and the other two were the backing vocalists, and decided to create some suspense nevertheless.
I thought Cezar was THE Cezar and I nearly had a stroke
First SunStroke Project, then Serhat…he’ll be back eventually. Every Eurovision meme has been getting a second wind.
Does anyone know why they released the three under consideration instead of, you know, actually just doing the considering?
There’s an artist who doesn’t appear to have done anything, another who failed at the initial stage of the voice and one who sounds promising. I don’t want to suggest anything but…
I mean, Roxen on her own would be a decent internal selection, but if you directly compare her to the other two she seems a lot more impressive.
Can we still withdraw? That’s still better than failing to qualify from the semi for 3rd year in a row.
no, withdrawing is bad for us the contest, otherwise we have even lesser countries, songs
Roxen will be the representative
Looks like no final for Romania this year
its opinions like yours that is poison to the community. Everyone knows that the artist song is the important. have romania got a song? NO
@Johan, some of us are being realistic. That doesn’t mean we’re poisoning the community. Yes, there is no song, but none of these acts have any live singing experience, especially in front of a big audience. Semi final 1 is very strong and Romania will struggle. I myself highly doubt we will qualify.
I always like to stay positive. I feel bad to say its OVER before the song
Like hwo many wrote Portugal off in 2017 and yet it went on to win after half a century of trying.
Absolutely agree. This is absolute jokes, TVR shouldn’t have agreed for internal selection for karaoke bar level singers.
Who I want to see in Rotterdam ? PAULA AND OVI !!! 🙂
Indeed we can see that they were inspired by our beloved national selection Destination Eurovision’s name. Wish their new process will work for them
Roxen also follows the Romania HoD!
But any of them would be the best Romanian entry since 2010 for sure, so I’m hyped! Thank you Romania for finally using your talent and not sticking with that mess called Selectia Nationala
You must be taking the piss. These artists are not even newcomers, they are literally noone in Romania, that guy didn’t even pass the audition at our The Voice show, which is quite weak anyway so that says a lot.
Romania will fail to qualify once again, this is absolute jokes and I’m shocked that TVR has agreed to this. The only reason why Global Records wanted to do it was to try and sell their worst artist. I’m going to have such a good laugh in May.
well even their “worst” artists are better than their previous Eurovision artists imo. and being a noone doesn’t always mean a bad thing
Can you please stop doubting Romania!, Roxen is most likely chosen by TVR, she will bring Romania back to the finals and will prove all the haters wrong.
Can you stop making judgements before the song is even released!
Roxen is not such a nobody. She can easily be put in the ‘newcomers’ category, as she has two songs currently featured in the Romanian radio airplay pretty frequently. ‘You Don’t Love Me’ has even peaked at number 3, while ‘Ce-?i cânt? dragostea’ is a current well-known song as well. Duncan Laurence, Netta and a big share of the contest winners were not big names either, or even up-and-rising artists. If the quality of a Eurovision act is measured through this criteria, then obviously acts like Bonnie Tyler should have easily won their contests – but they did not. I… Read more »
Could some countries choose any groups? I dont wanna see 40 soloists and one Hooverphonic in Rotterdam.
There’s still time. With any luck, we’ll get the Roop representing Lithuania should all go well.
and that is important because? its as silly when people say we must have a black and an asian person in ESC. its all just stupid. i dont vote on diversity when i like a song. do you?
Hopefully The Roop from Lithuania and obviously Blasted from Portugal will qualify for the ESC 2020.
Roxen seems like the most promising candidate
I just hope the Romanians can be positive and not spoilsports like the folks here. Hope for the best. Nobody in the Netherlands knew who Duncan was either.
Roxen plz , and i’m pretty sure it will be her too
Please lord let Roxen represent Romania.