He finished fourth for Romania at Eurovision 2006. And in recent years it’s felt like he’s been trying to come back ever since. And 2020 is no different for Mihai Traistariu (also known as M I H A I).
However, despite having a song ready to go, the “Tornero” singer’s plans have been scuppered. Never shy to speak his mind, Mihai has hit out at TVR, Global Records and Roxen.
Mihai Traistariu’s planned Eurovision 2020 entry for Romania
Along with composer Alex Luft, Mihai had prepared “Sorries Are Never Enough” for submission to Selectia Nationala. However, his intentions turned to dust when Romanian broadcaster TVR announced its collaboration with record label Global Records. Regardless, he has gone ahead and published the song on YouTube.
It’s a symphonic ballad with an electronic/dubstep flair and some rather dodgy English lyrics.
Mihai on Roxen
When the news came that Roxen will represent the Carpathian nation, Traistariu immediately lashed out at TVR and, indirectly, Roxen herself. Appearing on the gossip show Antenna Stars he said:
“It is a huge risk to send a child who isn’t ready yet, who’s literally a rookie, who barely has any gigs or experience behind her back. She may have had like three shows and one hit on the radio, but she’s inexperienced. She doesn’t know what’s going on with her”.
He continues
“I’ve been yelling all the time, send experienced acts to Eurovision, not some random kids. The broadcaster is experimenting now. They conduct an experiment on a girl who just has been launched three months ago. She’s been around for three months and has one song released, she has no idea what competition means”.
However, there’s a twist in the story, as MIHAI and Roxen have crossed paths before. Shortly after his chat show appearance, the “Paradisio” hitmaker spoke to Libertatea, softening his stance somewhat.
“I’ve realized that Roxen is actually Larisa Giurgiu from Cluj, whom I’ve given an award to back when she was 14 years old, at a music competition! And guess what, I gave her the Mihai Traistariu Special Award, a trophy that I only give to phenomenal voices. I’ve even promised her that we’ll record a duet together, but we didn’t ever since. And now she won’t want to sing with me, you can tell.
I feel a little bad that I spoke so harshly of her, but I keep my opinion that only experienced voices should go to Eurovision. Romania’s biggest Eurovision successes were achieved by experienced and popular artists, like Paula Seling, Monica Anghel, Luminita Anghel, and myself.”
MIHAI for Azerbaijan or San Marino?
Traistariu has flirted with entering national finals outside his home country, including Moldova and Belarus.
Apparently, he’s giving it another try, as he announced on the same gossip show that he submitted a song to both the Azerbaijani and the Sammarinese broadcasters, plus a third one, which he did not reveal.
Now, it is very unlikely that the Azeris would consider him, but San Marino has engaged foreign artists on multiple occasions, notably with Senhit, Michele Perniola, Serhat, Jimmie Wilson, and the robotic car crash that was Jessika feat. Jenifer Brening.
Do you agree with Mihai Traistariu’s? Or is he just bitter because he wasn’t chosen? Sound off in the comments below!
Mihai, let the girl to represent Romania, you are disperate to go again to eurovision, your voice is a very good voice but man, your songs are really boring so stay away from eurovision
He’s always complaining. I think it would be better for him to be professional. It’s not good to target someone individually. Also, I think she will prove him wrong <3
Says the guy who dropped out of Selectia Nationala last year…
I just looked through his instagram and I’m traumatised for life…
Please please PLEASE never let this man go near Eurovision again
That song is a hot mess. He wouldn’t have been top 3, even if there had have been a national final.
he was inexperienced kid in 2006
MIHAI: You had your go for Raminain 14 – fourteen – (!!) years ago. And you blew every chance you ever had by revamping “Tornero” back then. Now it?s time to let it go and have another artist having hos or her dream come true.
I don’t know why you keep giving attention to this guy every year…
I think what Mihai should do is to offer solutions instead of complaining every year. Doing the latter is not a good look because no one will take him seriously everytime he has the need to question the artists he’s targeting at or how Romania selects.
Eurovision season without Mihai drama is like Christmas without turkey. Although I did chuckle thinking about all his “only fans” that have their very own Mihai award
This may be an unpopular opinion., I see what he’s saying. It’s better to send experienced artists who understand the demands of a hectic contest like Eurovision. They don’t have to be famous just experienced. Its a big gamble sending a rookie. I think he phrased it the wrong way. He should have been more congratulatory to her and wished her the best. I personally would like to see her do well.
What her gender has to do with it? Would it be ok if Roxen was guy? He said “a child”, not “a girl”.
He forgets that’s Romania’s most recent top 10 (and only qualification since 2015) was achieved by two “inexperienced kids”
He should focus to his onlyfans account and stop being bitter
He brings up an interesting debate about what purpose the contest is supposed to serve – a “spring board” for new artists, or a European championship of composition, singing and performance, therefore more suitable for established and experienced professionals. But of course, it’s the way he phrases this that’s understandably earning him a huge backlash from the fans. I do believe that Eurovision should be a “European championship” in terms of musical talent – whether that talent is in composition, dance/performance, and/or singing, ideally all three of them. This means a country cannot afford to send complete amateurs and still… Read more »
Michael Schulte id call a vocal powerhouse, even if he wasn’t show-offy about it. (Sorry, don’t think I’m deliberately missing your point, it’s really good, but I felt that needed to be said.)
This man has some serious problems and wants just attention. Romanians haven’t heard a song of his since Tornero but likes to act as if he’s a huge celebrity. He behaves the way he does but then wonders why no one is taking him seriously anymore. His talent has been wasted…
Eurovision season is the only moment when he can still feel relevant by attacking TVR.
Idk yea it was maybe a publicity stunt
This is so true. No one in Romania knows this guy nowadays. It would be like sending Engelbert Humperdinck (sort of!) ?
Ok boomer… His song is so boring, annoying and all over the place. Please get a grip babe
A man that has to reduce himself to having an onlyfans account cannot seriously be complaining about an artist who is actually promising being selected instead of his washed up music.
Prior to Eurovision, Duncan Laurence had not released an album, he was on “The Voice”, yet still managed to win Eurovision.
I did read your comment! I was just adding to the idea that Mihai’s thought process is flawed- an artist does not need to be known to do well.
Who does he think he is, you see he might be a senior at this league but he always comes out bitchy and crazy, he always thinks he should go to ESC when literally he has had only terrible tracks, and now he bashes on a girl just for being an amateur. As if Destiny from Malta wasn’t an example of being young doesn’t mean being flawed (seeing how she holds the 5th spot with the bookies). I’m always happy to see new faces at ESC, and frankly your song is truly horrendous. And please ESC fans, stop feeding his… Read more »
will he ever stop complaining about everything?
haha then he is in very good company with many in here. They do that also all the time. Not you
I wonder if he gets the irony in his song choice?
Lol this has-been is actually doing her a favor.
Guys PLEASE stop reporting on MIHAI. He’s either mentally unstable at the moment, or just begging for attention. It’s really sad to see, and he’ll more than likely regret all the stuff he’s been saying when he’s mentally in a better place!
And my obsession with songs under 3 minutes, that could potentially do well in ESC, continues:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md_1f-DQFss
Has anyone got San Marino’s contact number? 😀
apparently he’s selling “nudes”. No wonder no one is wanting him
There’s nothing wrong with selling nudes – let the man get his coin.
Swiss song is coming out on March 4th, btw
Please Mihai, just go away already. Tornero is an overrated mess to begin with, and we don’t need you back in Eurovision.
I am a euro fan, but i just do not understand his obsession with Eurovision.
San Marino isn’t that desperate btw.
If they sent Aly Ryan, there’d at least be the possibility that the song would be good. They send this and they’re back on the bench after last years triumph. (But hey, same semi as Moldova, who knows how they’d score if they sent a Romanian?)
So, instead of a song that reflects what your country actually is listening to these days, you’d rather they send your sorry little number? Tell you what, when her song is chosen, you can listen to them side by side and let us know which one sounds more like something people want to listen to.
A conversation between Aly Ryan and MIHAI should be funny. A battle of egos. Maybe that way they would stop being a bad joke of themselves and stop acting like the superstars they think they are. MIHAI could be the most experienced artist in Romania, something I doubt, but he is just an XL-sized bag of annoying arrogance and his songs are bland, cheesy and uninspired. He got stucked in 2006. Even though he is trying to sound modern it doesn’t feel right, like a grandma who still dress like she is in her 20s. He’s out place and produce… Read more »
So true, this comment.
San Marino should send a duet of Mihai and Aly Ryan. San Marino 2021
San Marino 2021!
I have nothing against people who compete many times like Aiste, Ruta and Markus Riva etc. But this guy i dont like. Sorry. That song was really bad to
What a bell end
He’s clearly mentally unstable, or in a bad place at the moment. It’s sad to see…
Oh this man has no self-awareness… It is sad…. He obviously shouts before thinking and then expects the Romanian broadcaster to forget about it the following year… Also his songs get worse every year. There is no chance anyone is going to accept his songs nowadays….
This Mihai character is bipolar and embarassing….
Shut up!
I agree. There’s nothing embarassing about bipolar disorder even if he did have it. Bipolar is not a pejorative.
I agree, Una. Criticize his attitude, but don’t use mental illness as some kind of insult.
That’s what I said? At least that’s what I meant.
I feel like he’s the romanian gordon xD, fellow dutchies know what’s up
Here we go again!
The yearly 5 minutes of Mihai, fishing for attention.
He was great in 2006, no doubt, but he shouldn‘t act like he is the answer for Romania every year.
Didn’t he finish fifth though? But I’m pretty sure fourth place is wrong.
Nevermind, it’s actually right. Weird, I always thought he finished fifth.
He needs a doctor
he’s a talented vocalist who has managed to turn himself into a complete joke no one takes seriously… feeling sad for him.
The broadcaster is never going to want to work with him again. He’s burned that bridge. The comeback was already unlikely, but stuff like this might as well seal the deal.
He should just focus on his onlyfans…
Mihai: “I’ve been yelling all the time, send experienced acts to Eurovision, not some random kids”
Me: *Laughs in Destiny Chukunyere and Zena*
Also me: *Laughs in Sandra Kim*
Mihai: OMG who is she? She wont even win because she isn’t famous.
Duncan Lawrence: *Laughs in unknown before ESC*
He also said having radio hits doesn’t matter.
I’m pretty sure the only acts in recent years with any significant degree of popularity in their home nation that won were Mans and maybe Jamala.
I’m afraid he’s right. The 2 Billie Eilish from Romania and Bulgaria will not bother anybody in semi.
Billie Eilish will come from Lithuania also haha
His song is horible omg,even worst than Montenegro in 2019 ….
And Ovi, don’t forget Ovi!
Anyway, he’s just salty because he doesn’t win anymore, move on already
Either quit trying or better, get a more positive attitude
Roxen was chosen, wish her some luck and a few warm words, even if you think pro singers should go to Eurovision
In my opinion, as long as the act is good, you will do well, no matter the experience the singer has
Mihai: She’s a child they shouldn’t send her they should send me.
Also Mihai: Oh wait she was awarded my prestigious Mihai Traistariu award by ME, she’s actually okay.
God, what an ego.
Mihai criticizes the Romania selection around this time every year, there’s nothing new here.