Every weekday, between now and the contest in May, the team from wiwibloggs will round up the latest titbits from the world of Eurovision 2021. We trawl through Instagram, Twitter and elsewhere so that y’all don’t have to. In today’s Daily Digest Tix films his music video, Stefania plays on Big Brother and Victoria has a big interview. But first…
Eurovision news: 12 April
#ESPreParty hosts announced
Seventeen acts are already in for the party. And on Friday, EurovisionSpain – the #ESPreParty organisers – confirmed that Blas Cantó (Spain 2020 and 2021), Suzy Portugal 2014) and Victor Escudero (journalist at Eurovision.tv and RTVE) will host the show. Blas will welcome all the participating artists, Suzy will contribute with her humour and Víctor will present and comment in English on the show as it unfolds. Additionally, Karina is this year’s “maid of honour” and will get honorary recognition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her Eurovision participation representing Spain in 1971. (Jordi)
[ÚLTIMA HORA]@BlasCanto, Suzy y Víctor Escudero, maestros de ceremonias de la #PrePartyES21, cuya madrina será Karina
E-S homenajea los 50 años de la participación de Karina. Ya son 17 los representantes de Eurovisión que actuarán
Cartel provisional ?? https://t.co/hJm03Bj85q pic.twitter.com/cIe0vzZEIp
— Eurovision-Spain.com | PrePartyES (@eurospaincom) April 9, 2021
TIX films music video for “Fallen Angel”
Norwegian star TIX has revealed that he’s shooting a music video for his Eurovision song “Fallen Angel”. While the Norwegian version of the song already has a lyric video, it looks like “Fallen Angel” is getting something a bit fancier. As a hint, TIX shared a photo of a piano keyboard covered in feathers, suggesting he’ll be sticking with the theme of angel wings to some extent. (Robyn)
Daði Freyr wins Singer of the Year at Hlustendaverðlaun music awards
Daði Freyr was honoured in Iceland this weekend by winning two awards in the recent Hlustendaverðlaun FM957 — the FM957’s People’s Choice Awards. The awards are organised by Icelandic radio stations and let listeners vote for their favourite acts. Daði Freyr won Singer of the Year, while “Think About Things” picked up Video of the Year. Daði also performed at the awards, treating viewers to a new song. (Robyn)
Vasil performs medley of Eurovision favourites
North Macedonia’s singer Vasil has recorded a medley of some of his favourite Eurovision Eurovision songs. He starts off with a tribute to two iconic North Macedonia entries: Kaliope’s “Crno i belo” (2012) and Tamara Todevska’s “Proud” (2019). Then he mixes in a bit of Netta’s “Toy” (Israel 2018), changing the lyric to “Wonder human don’t you ever forget”. Vasil is sure to include a bit of his Eurovision 2021 entry “Here I Stand” then unexpectedly sings a bit of Spain’s 1990 entry “Bandido” by Azúcar Moreno. (Robyn)
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Roxen shows off a sparkling new look
Romania’s Roxen has taken to Instagram to share a new look with her followers. Wearing a brightly checkered bodysuit, the “Amnesia” hitmaker shows a new side of herself. While the look makes a lot of noise, the caption is rather simple: “☀️”. Will this be her Eurovision 2021 style? Or might she go for something darker like in her music video? (Renske)
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Samanta Tīna shares a behind the scenes moment
Latvia’s Samanta Tina has taken Instagram to show her fans a backstage photograph from her latest shoot. Dressed in a long glamourous evening dress, the “Moon is Rising” singer writes: “There are times when you really have nothing to say. Also don’t need to. Just Want to nod and wish good luck with smile. Behind the scenes.” (Renske)
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Efendi celebrates “Mata Hari” music video reaching 3,000,000 views
Azerbaijan’s Efendi is grateful. Her Eurovision 2021 music video has been watched by over three million people. To celebrate this milestone, the songstress uploaded a set of backstage pictures to her Instagram. Efendi writes: “Today the number of views of the Mata Hari music video on YouTube has exceeded 3.000.000 🔥 I am very grateful to each of you for your support and in this regard, I want to share with you the most interesting shots from the backstage of our video 🤩🎬”. (Renske)
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Manizha performs “Russian Woman” live on Russian game show
Manizha took “Russian Woman” to a new audience, performing her Eurovision song on a game show. Russia’s Eurovision 2021 was a guest performer on the long-running game show What? Where? When?. Manizha and her four backing singers performed “Russian Woman” during one of the show’s music breaks. In a change from her national final costume, Manizha was glammed up in a shimmering dark grey jumpsuit, bring a touch of eleganza to the intellectual game show setting. (Robyn)
Lesley Roy gets up early for breakfast TV
There was no Sunday morning lie-in for Lesley Roy this weekend. She was up bright and early for an interview on Ireland AM, Ireland’s only live breakfast TV show. The eight-minute segment covers a range of topics, from safety measures in Rotterdam to her rehearsals in Stockholm. The “Maps” popstar remains coy about her staging — “I’ll be shot”. But she does confirm that “It will be different for Eurovision. It will be different for Ireland. It will be different for me. I will have never performed anything like this on stage before. I’m very excited”. She also names Barbara Pravi’s “Voilà” as one of her 2021 favourites. You can watch Lesley Roy’s Ireland AM interview HERE.
Happy birthday Barbara!
France’s Barbara Pravi is the latest Eurovision 2021 star to celebrate a birthday in the run-up to Rotterdam. She turned 28 over the weekend. In a message thanking her fans for their well wishes, Barbara reveals that one of her birthday gifts was a guitar which she has named Céline.
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Elena Tsagrinou warms up for “El Diablo”
On Sunday, Cyprus’ Elena Tsagrinou shared a boomerang from a dance studio in Greece. In the caption, she confirms that she’s rehearsing for “El Diablo” and Eurovision 2021. She’s joined by choreographer Chali Jennings and three dancers.
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Stefania’s “Last Dance” makes Big Brother
The Dutch edition of Big Brother came to a close at the end of last week. And what better way to wrap up the season than a little bit of Stefania’s “Last Dance”?
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Victoria’s big interview
VICTORIA was a guest on Bulgaria’s Tursi Se (The Search) on Sunday. The interview, which lasts almost an hour, proved to be very emotional for the “Growing Up Is Getting Old” singer. “The last few months were really hard for me and my family”, she tells her Twitter fans. “I am speaking openly about the diagnosis of my father in order to raise awareness about ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in Bulgaria”. However, there were lighter moments — including when Victoria sings “Tears Getting Sober” after inhaling helium. You can watch the full interview below. It is in Bulgarian but there are English subtitles.
Additional contributions from Robyn, Renske and Jordi
Are you excited for the “Fallen Angel” music video? What did you think of Manizha’s live performance? Let us know in the comments.
didnt lesley roy say she wouldnt listen to any of competing songs but says France is her favourite
Btw Albania hosted a show about eurovision last saturday
Manizha’s backing vocalists are pure gold. She must take them with her to Rotterdam
I think that he’s singing in front of the wrong person. He doesn’t feel very comfortable there, his body language is so strange, the facial expression is intense… like he’s is trying to deliver his message for someone else who is not there with him, that’s why there is soooo much drama…. I don’t know why I’ve got that vibe, but however I don’t think that he is a bad singer. Good luck to him, and to all the participants!!!
Good for you!!!
It’s sad that Eurovision winner Shay Healy died on Friday. I think Johnny Logan’s 1980 win was the best of his three, I hope Shay enjoyed seeing it performed on Shine a Light last year.
The last songwriter to win in The Netherlands…until next month…
Sad indeed and I saw no article here marking Shay’s passing, instead silly articles like “Ava Max sends her love to Tiix” who really cares about rubbish like this. What’s Another Year is a classic, when I heard Shay saying he wrote it about his Dad after his Mum died it really struck a cord with me. Whatever song wins this year I doubt we’ll be listening to it in 40 year’s time.
I have a feeling Manizha will make top10.
Well, there’s only one KALLIOPI. And none will ever achieve her high note that sounds like me when I try to hit high notes lol (just kidding, that high note is one of my faves in the entire ESC history)
Suzy’s song on my opinion is one of the most underrated songs from the last decade. Recently I just listened for the first time the song and I’m still like ”Eu Quero Ser Tua Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh”. So happy that RTVE will have her as a host (if they have her sing her hit I will be more excited). Let’s hope that Stefania and Elena Tsagrinou will be part of the Pre-Party!
Everytime Lesley discusses her staging I get both excited and nervous in equal measure.
She’s the got my heart cross ways do she does.
Agggh bring on next month!!
Greece is in my top 3 but I must say I am a bit surprised to see how Dutch medias promote Stefania’s song more than the Dutch one….
It’s like the Netherlands have 2 entries this year.
Not really fair on Jeangu I think.
its not really suprising. Her fan base and home is the Netherlands after all. but ya i feel kinda bad for Jeangu
Yeah I know she’s residing in the Netherlands but in Eurovision she’s not representing them, they have their own act and should support him.
Let Greece support Stefania.
they dont really seem to be supporting her that much 🙁
Any article about Stefania, it seems to be Dutch related.
Like who is she representing?
I bet Jeangu is like “Hey I’m over here!” (Waves Dutch Flag).
They dont because Stefania isnt signed by a music label in Greece. Music labels are the ones who do the promo.
Same thning here in Greece. They promote the Cypriot song only. It plays on the radio all the time. The greek song no. Maybe cause the singer from Cyprus is Greek or cause it s from panic records? I don t know!
Well remember the support Helena Paparizou had from the Swedish medias. And by the way, last year there was also high support from Greece towards Athena Manoukian (much more support than for Cyprus, I even bet that Armenia would get the 12 points instead of Cyprus in 2020 if both reached the final)
Dutch media are promoting the song even more than the greek media. The song has 0 impact in Greece
Reading these is such a blast. It really gives me a feeling of who the artists are off-stage. I’m so excited for next month!