On Wednesday morning Eurofans woke up to some very big news from Serbian tabloid Blic. The paper is reporting that Hurricane will represent Serbia at Eurovision 2021.
Citing unnamed sources, the tabloid claims that the Serbian broadcaster will choose the act internally rather than staging its national selection Beovizija. Like so many broadcasters across Europe, RTS faces financial strain brought on by Covid-19 and the re-allocation of resources associated with that. Blic claims that the announcement will be made in the coming weeks.
Will Hurricane return to Eurovision 2021 for Serbia?
Wiwibloggs have now reached out to Hurricane and the picture isn’t as clear as the tabloid would have you believe. The group’s publicist tells us:
“We do not yet have official information about this from our state public service broadcaster. We won’t know until September or October.”
That suggests a decision isn’t yet final. Understandably, RTS and the people who control its purse strings are pre-occupied with other matters. These include the coronavirus pandemic — and related initiatives to raise awareness and promote public health — and parliamentary elections, which take place on Sunday, June 21. The elections were originally scheduled for April 26, but had to be rescheduled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Internally picking Hurricane would make a lot of sense. Hurricane is an immensely popular group at home and their participation could re-invigorate the local music industry’s perception of Eurovision as something fresh and modern.
As a sign of their growing clout, the women of Hurricane recently performed “Hasta la vista” alongside Serbian icon Jelena Karleuša during her YouBox online concert. Her invitation suggests that she approves of what the group would have brought to Eurovision in 2020.
Jelena has long been rumoured as a potential representative of Serbia at Eurovision. At various points she’s expressed her willingness to sing at the contest, though she hasn’t been a fan of RTS’ handling of the contest in recent years. Hurricane may well mark a turning point in her thinking.
What do you think? Should RTS internally select Hurricane for Eurovision 2021? What sort of song should they sing? Tell us your thoughts below!
I just noticed now that Hurricane will be the second girl group to represent Serbia after Nevena’s group Moje3 in 2012. Hope they will kill it it 2021 and qualify!
Serbia stay in semi 2009 (10), 2013 (11), 2017 (11). I will love to break the curse, and see Serbia in final 2021
Girls are amazing!!!! Yas Yas
Hurricane 2021 yes, but with better song.
Imagine if Jelena Karleusa end up being selected internally instead of Hurricane haha
I don’t think so. Karleusa is banned on RTS.
I would imagine it’s more of a financial issue. Most of the broadcasters in the region seem to be in a “will they, won’t they” every year whether they’d participate at all. This year, moreso than any other year, will probably come down to if Eurovision is affordable.
I’d put it this way, if Serbia are competing next year, I fully expect Hurricane to be the representatives.
no one has to pay another participation fee..its still the 65th eurovision.
If I were RTS then I just wouldn’t say anything until March. Keep everyone guessing like Russia do every year. Of course tell Hurricane & co in good time, just don’t make the news public.
They should, but it’s such a shame that we wont get to hear Hasta La Vista in Eurovision…
They should send Hurricane again next year and bring back Beovizija in 2022
Eurofans: We are ready for Hurricane at ESC 2021
Serbian broadcaster: Hasta La Vista baby, I have a new plan….
Well if Tijana, Sanja, were internallalyy selected and Huricane not it would be crime, but hey there is still Montenegro so ….
As i say, it’s still open that RTS would select them internally. As said in article, the broadcaster put more focus into pandemic as well and elections.
Overall, this article was not about RTS, but Serbian tabloids who wrote lies.
Don’t believe anything Blic says. They are known in Serbia to write nothing but lies most of the time. RTS still didn’t confirm anything, but I do hope that RTS makes a right decision and brings them back! Girls deserved it!
Oh I just hope they will represent Serbia in 2021.
I’m not the biggest fan of Hasta la Vista, but Hurricane NEED to come back. I like Serbia send ethnic songs but it’s boring now
Fingers crossed to see Hurricane on the big stage in 2021!
As a Serb I can confirm that this tabloid “Blic” (which wrote this fake news) is only writing pure lies. Last year they wrote that the singer Senidah would represent Slovenia at the 2020 contest, which proved to be completely incorrect. Pure lies.
Every country’s got one. Personally, I think it’s reasonable to assume Hurricane will be coming back, seeing as they’re not only willing to do it but hugely popular in Serbia now. I wasn’t a huge fan of “Hasta la Vista” so I’d love to see what they’d be able to do now.
Well, not selecting Hurricane internally for me would be a dumb decision, knowing the fact that they are currently one of the most popular acts in Serbia.
but they were right about sanja in 2016
They’re about as accurate as a broken clock.
Me too, I confirm that “Blic” is pure clickbait trash.