Rumours first emerged on Saturday that he wouldn’t be back. And on Monday it became official. Broadcaster CyBC has confirmed that Sandro will not represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2021.
CyBC statement on Sandro and Cyprus at Eurovision 2021
The broadcaster broke the news on its social media channels on Monday afternoon. The brief statement reads:
Following a mutual agreement with Sandro and his management and taking into consideration his schedule of commitments, the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation wishes to inform that the said artist will not be representing Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
The Cyprus delegation would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Sandro for representing Cyprus at ‘Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light’ and to wholeheartedly wish him all the best in the future.
At the time of writing, neither Sandro or his team have issued a statement of their own.
This news makes Cyprus the first country not to reselect an internally selected act from 2020.
In fact, thus far, no other country has ruled out any artist for 2021.
Those which are returning to their annual national finals — including Sweden, Estonia, Norway, Finland, Lithuania and Denmark — have made it clear that 2020 artists are welcome to participate again. However, several acts including Norway’s Ulrikke and Denmark’s Ben & Tan have opted not to pursue this route for next year.
Sandro’s Eurovision journey
Sandro Nicolas is a German singer with Greek and American heritage. He found fame on The Voice of Germany in 2018 and also competed in the New Wave competition in 2019.
He had been due to represent Cyprus at Eurovision with his song “Running”, co-written with The Voice Australia star Alfie Arcuri. While the song was a heartfelt expression of Sandro’s emotions, the song itself was not as popular among Eurovision fans as recent Cypriot hits “Fuego” and “Replay”.
In a recent wiwibloggs poll asking readers their favourite act from Eurovision 2020, “Running” placed 30th. However, this was based on the studio version of the song.
Are you disappointed that Sandro won’t return for Cyprus? Do you hope to see him back at Eurovision in the future? Let us know in the comments.
I actually believe that Sandro did the best choice not to represent Cyprus in 2021. It seemed that the music industry that made Sandro’s song doesn’t actually know how Eurovision works. I even believe that he had no choice, but to sing that song. “Running” was a pretty mediocre song, a song that could never be in the finals. Hope to see Sandro represent Germany or Greece, where their national broadcasters have experience in Eurovision
I feel sorry for Sandro, there was no need to make this announcement at all. We don’t even need to know who’ll be singing in 2021 for another nine months. Unless it was his wish, why burden him with such unnecessary negative publicity at this difficult time?
2020: Sandro
2021: Christiana Loizu
I bet he gets approached by lots of “businessmen”…..
Sorry, it´s absolutely the right decision.
I’m looking forward to new year new contest. Yes it’s sad that we’ll be missing out on good artists from 2020, but maybe 2020 would have been their year and not 2021 so I’m pleased to see some new acts and artists.
Agree James, just worry that “returning artists” will reappear with minor modifications to their 2020 song for example Don’t Give Me A Nervous Breakdown. Maybe best if slate wiped clean?
I don’t think he helped himself when he basically dissed his own song during his interview with NikkieTutorials…
It seems to me like there was some kind of falling out between the broadcaster and Sandro’s team. It all seems so final especially the way it’s like he won’t represent them “again” not just in 2021.
I think something happened behind the scenes. Maybe Eleni wants to come back for revenge in 2021 and it’s already been decided long ago that she would do it for them next year.
I think he was always supposed to be the place-warmer nominee, someone in which they didn’t invest too much and did not expect to qualify before going back to a big name in 2021. After all, Cyprus is quite small and can’t handle sending a big name every year. But they were never going to stick two years in a row with someone from a foreign talent show – I think they may have decided on who the 2021 name will be even before they picked Sandro.
That’s a very good point. I didn’t read that much into the statement but you’re right. It sounds like it’s an indefinite exclusion. Ouch that must hurt the singer. Maybe come back singing for Germany.
Eleni had her time to shine. When I think of the four acts who made up the Switch Song last year, I think the reason they featured there was because they were so ubiquitous, so special for their one year (and, considering all but Verka had tried for Eurovision before, found the right song at the right time), they don’t need to compete again. There are no new layers to be found for Eleni the way there were for, say, Johnny Logan or Jahn Teigen, whose comebacks really did feel like making up for some unfinished business. Eleni Foureira had… Read more »
Let’s not forget though that Dima Bilan who came 2nd in 2006, then came back in 2008 to win the ESC…
With two very bad songs that shouldn’t have reached the top 20, let alone win.
i hope their 2021 representative will be cypriot
It’s up to Cyprus, “You know”
Now it is time for a local Cypriot act again. Maybe a Turkish Cypriot? I think we never had one, right?
You do know that Cyprus considers turkish-cyprus an occupation? So you won’t see an artist from there representing Cyprus.
Doesn’t stop Turkish Cypriots from crossing the border to take part in the national selection whenever possible. Reportedly, one actually did the deed.
They ignored him, he got the message.. mutual indeed.
‘the said artist’ XD
A sensible decision and at least gives some hope of cyprus qualifying next year. nothing is certain but some hope is better than none. On a personal level you kinda feel bad,hes a nice guy,and I am sure the busy schedule etc is a face saving statement for all involved.It must rank as one of the worst internal selections particulary the song I can remember.Cybc need to get there act together and learn lessons from this,people expect something from an internal selection. 2018 proved people can pick up the phone and vote for cyprus if the song and performance is… Read more »
I get the impression the Cyprus delegation did not want to work with Sandro again. I imagine his “busy schedule” may suggest he hadn’t been particularly interested in spending his time in Cyprus for production and promotion.
Such a shame. He’s so god damn sexy, like OMG. I literally salivate every time I see a photo of him. I mean, my God he is absolutely gorgeous!
Um ok calm down, drink some water if you’re that thirsty
Maybe you need Margaret to Cool You Down Adele, failing that Set Fire To The Rain.
This is Eurovision, not Mr. Universe..
I haven’t seen the interview of Sandro by Nikkie, but I asume he didn’t mind Eurovision 2020 being canceled since his song wasn’t much of a favourite. One thing I’ve understood he would like to try once again, but maybe with a better song
He has a nice voice and I hope he could maybe represent perhaps Germany some year?
Other commitments? In one year’s time? During (hopefully after) a pandemic?
Not kidding anyone but that’s how they tend to word these things.
2021 is going to be such a weird year. Are us fans going to respect the fact that some countries are not going to select their 2020 artist. Will we refuse to like their entry or artist on purpose because deep down we all think they should have changed their mind (the artist or broadcaster). Personally, I think that ALL artists who were internally selected should have the obligation to return next year.
Will we refuse to like their entry or artist on purpose ….WTF!!!Get a life…
Obligation?!! It should be mutally agreed between the broadcaster and the artist, not something forced upon either of them.
If a song is good I will like it and probably vote for it. No matter if the artist is the one of 2020 or not. BUT I sure keep in mind that some broadcasters have been disrespectful with their artist (hello Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania and others). If the singer doesn’t want to compete again I’m okay with that. But seeing broadcasters throwing them away makes me uncomfortable. And don’t talk about: “some national selections are traditions”. Eurovision is a tradition too! Ukraine, Slovenia, Latvia, Malta, etc… chose to select their artist from 2020. Was it difficult… Read more »
Easier said than done, Nicola. What if contracts had already been signed for 2021 internal selections? I have a feeling that it is true in at least one case.
For most people watching next year 2020 will be a distant memory. So many tumultuous events taking place this year we will be fortunate to remember anything.
As with every year the fan bubble will over analyse and on the big night the majority watching will react to the performance they seen and vote accordingly.
it was pretty clear based on interviews and such that he wasn’t that into his song or the contest in general. he basically admitted to nikkietutorials that he didn’t like the song and when they asked how he’d feel if the contest got cancelled, he pretty much felt indifferent about it. there was also talk of him being a pain in the a** to work with (just rumors). probably best to find a Cypriot act who truly want to be there.
to promote himself lol
Cyprus lost any self identedy and respect.very sad from country that gave us mono i agapi,aspro mavro,sos,and a lot of great songs with citizen singers.
Lost any self identity and respect why?
They haven’t sent a Cypriot since 2017.
I agree with you, I hate Sandro with this stupid generic-english-language song. In the past Cyprus was one of my favorit country so many good songs and ethnic music, some of the better of Cyprus was 1987, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2011 and 2013 but since 2015 its just all rubbish even Portugal’s victory didnt helped to change it.
fuego was great.
It’s sad news. I like his voice and i liked his song. But good for him, that he has such a busy schedule.
Best to select someone from Cyprus/has a connection to the island or known in the Cypriot audience. Nobody knew him in Cyprus and the song had zero impact in Cyprus. Plus his attitude at the Nikki tutorial videos showed he was not respectful at all.
Shame on them… You would have expected the internally selected artists to be internally selected again for 2021
I mean, even Eden Alene was chosen and she won a national final…
I wish him the best and I wish the next Cypriot artist the best of luck!
We should be happy for Sandro that his schedule was too busy to do Eurovision 2021 rather than being angry at him for not cancelling all his other projects in order to make space.
Busy? Really? He is not Bruno Mars or Justin Biever
CyBC just didn’t wanted him
Of course that if he is indeed busy, then it’s fine
But I wish he got his shot anyway
Now that Sandro will not represent Cyprus next year, it’s time for Josephine, Sophia Pathsalides, Christina Loizu, or Elena Tsagkrinou to represent Cyprus next year.
Meaning Sophia Patsalides who represent Cyprus in the Junior Eurovision 2014! Not bad candidate
Please remember that Portugal keeps its national selection for next year, Elisa won’t represent Lusitans in 2021
Portugal also had internal selection in the past, u never know ….Portugal is not Italy, Norway, Denmark or Sweden. Portugal don’t have a money. Still broadcaster did not said anything about participation 🙂 If Latvia, Slovenia choosed the same artists, there is still hope for Portugal, Iceland, Moldova, Italy and others …and yes i know festival di cancao is tradition which happen every year, but ESC was also tradition ….and was cancelled
Well, I suspect Fuego 3.0 or Eleni.
a-la Sergei Lazarov!
LOL
Yes, Fuego 2.0* was Chameleon and She Got Me, plus Glorious by Cascada in 2013
Cascada and fuegoo ? WTF ? Yes her performance was fuegooo but song not really
Chameleon and Fuego are alike?
It says on the Instagram post that CyBC was taking into account Sandro’s “schedule of commitments”, which perhaps suggests that Sandro is going to be busy next year and thus unavailable for Eurovision 2021. Perhaps in another year after 2021 they’ll choose Sandro again and he’ll finally get the chance to appear on the Eurovision stage. I also wonder who Cyprus will choose for 2021 instead. In a previous article, it stated that CyBC were looking to select either an artist popular in Greece and Cyprus or a artist of Cypriot heritage for 2021 so based on that I wonder… Read more »
He can sing though. he mostly lacks strong personal direction though, he’s more of an impressionist.
Im actually suprised that it was mutual. He said in nikkiecallings that he would like to go in 2021 if the Cypriot broadcaster would invite him
“by mutual agreement” is just a courteous way for the effected to save some face. It’s rarely actually true.
Mutual agreement my pillon. He was saying he wants to be back before they announced they dropped him. What can he do when they already decided? He won’t change anything even if he wants to. Only difference is that he won’t be called a crybaby in media. Shame on you Cyprus, shame on you
He implied in interviews he didn’t want to go in 2021.
What interviews?
What Esc2021rotterdam wrote: “He said in nikkiecallings that he would like to go in 2021 if the Cypriot broadcaster would invite him” You can find it on youtube.
What interviews are you talking about?
I-
What responsibilities or scheduled events could he have that are more important than Eurovision? I sense that there’s some fishy business going on, but if the agreement was mutual, then fine by me. I’m just very surprised as to why an internally selected artist wouldn’t want to come back (or isn’t invited back!!) Oh well…
Sad for him but the best of luck to him ! I’m a bit doubtful about the “mutual agreement”, though.
Best of luck to Sandro !
Best of luck to my lovely Cyprus next year !!!
Well I’m sad for him but happy for me if u know what I mean haha. I love his voice, but I don’t think he really knows yet what genre to pick and hasn’t really developed into an artist. Hope for another banger from Alex P. Maybe again with Ivi, Eleni or Josephine. Missed his song this year! But I expect Cyprus to be back on track next year!
I agree with everything but the Alex P bit. Guy’s a one-trick pony. Cyprus needs to do something other than a straightforward banger if they want to stay relevant at Eurovision.
Joe.you know how to say the things.loud and clear.
I wasn’t huge on “Running” either but I at least respected that they weren’t doing “Fuego 3.0.” Cyprus used to be pretty varied at Eurovision and I wish they could do that again. I’d love another rock act in the Minus One vein!
Hmm. Though I was slightly put off by him on Europe Shine A Light the guy is undeniably hot and I personally liked the song. I suppose that’s the patriarchal society for you. (Cyprus) pound to a Euro we’ll get a nubile young lady next year.
Cyprus are in the EU. Would they not also use the Euro?
Yes, sure!