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, Tusse reveals his costume designer, The Roop release merchandise and Blas Cantó gives a farewell concert. But first…
Eurovision news: 6 May
Senhit receives OGAE Appreciation and Success Prize
A collection of OGAE national clubs from Australia, Argentina and beyond today awarded Senhit with their new Appreciation and Success Prize. The groups founded the award “in order to appreciate the artist’s great efforts and the brilliant #FreakyTripToRotterdam project which kept the Eurovision spirit alive during the darkest times”. The “Adrenalina” songstress posed with her award on Instagram, writing: “I wanna thank each and everyone of you and of course all the OGAE National clubs for this amazing award. You made my day.” (Oliver A)
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Vogue Global Network highlight Manizha
Vogue Russia recently sat down for an interview with Manizha. Although the interview was conducted and written-up in Russian, the fashion and lifestyle magazine’s international Instagram account highlighted the article to their 1.7 million followers. In the interview, the Eurovision 2021 singer discusses self-love, internal conflicts and the message of her entry “Russian Woman”.
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The Roop release “Discoteque” merchandise
Fans of The Roop now have even more ways to show their support for the Lithuanian group. The “Discoteque” hitmakers have unveiled new merchandise linked to their Eurovision 2021 entry. This new merch was created by Deimantė Litvinaitė, the partner of The Roop’s lead vocalist Vaidotas Valiukevičius. In a press release, the group explains more about the fashion line and accompanying photoshoot:
“The theme for the pictures was skewed mirror room effect, which used to excite us in theme parks. During the photoshoot, there a lot of laughter, joy, and improv. Tumas and Ignė, fans of the group, were excited to meet Vaidotas for the first time and felt like becoming celebrities after the photoshoot. The Roop merchandise does not limit movement; thus, wearing them is an excellent opportunity to dance, while the group constantly reminds everyone that dance is the best therapy. It is scientifically proven that movement and dance have a positive impact on mental health, no matter the age. Dance can happen with yourself, at home, when everyone sees or doesn’t; however you like”.
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Elena Tsagrinou performs cover of “Mono i agapi” on The 2Night Show
Elena Tsagrinou appeared on one of the latest episodes of late night talk show The 2Night Show. There, she sang a cover of Cyprus’ Eurovision 1982 entry “Mono i agapi” by Anna Vissi. Elena performed alongside the show’s in-studio band. In addition to sitting down for an interview, Elena also gave another acoustic performance of her Eurovision 2021 entry “El Diablo”, accompanied by acoustic guitar.
Blas Cantó’s backing singers confirmed
Spanish broadcaster RTVE has confirmed the five backing singers that will join Blas Cantó at Eurovision 2021 – Alba Gil, Irene Alman, Daira Monzón, Dangele and Hector Artiles. These are the same five singers who performed with Blas at the national final Destino Eurovisión earlier this year. Fans may know Alba Gil from Spain’s Junior Eurovision 2004 national final. Meanwhile, Dangelo Ortega was a co-writer of Blas’ Eurovision 2020 entry “Universo” and has previously been nominated for a Latin Grammy.
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Blas Cantó gives farewell concert
Before heading off to Rotterdam for Eurovision 2021, Blas Cantó has also given a farewell concert. The show was filmed at the Teatro Monumental (Monumental Theatre) in Madrid, though only Blas’s team and accredited press were able to attend. In order to share the concert with fans, videos have been posted online. Blas performed a variety of songs, including some of his previous hits and his Eurovision 2021 entry “Voy a Quedarme”. You can watch the full videos on RTVE’s website.
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Tusse reveals Eurovision costume designer
The stage outfit that an artist wears at Eurovision is an important final touch to their performance. Sweden’s Tusse has now revealed that the outfit he will be wearing in Rotterdam has been designed by Julian Hernandez. The “Voices” singer doesn’t give away any further details, but looks forward to when he’s finally able to show it off to viewers.
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Additional contributions from Oliver A.
What do you think of Blas Cantó’s farewell concert? Do you agree that Senhit deserved the OGAE prize? Let us know in the comments.
Thought it is Samanta Tina modelling for The Roop merch
Even before the contest starts I feel the need to thank team wiwibloggs for going us such unending coverage for free. BBC Eurovision ought to be reporting some of this news, instead of repeating their tired look backs at the moments from the contest we all remember anyway.
For the ones judging Tusse’s vocals:
You keep forgetting that he overcame a surgery and because of that he must not hurt his voice for no reason. I believe that he will be just fine live on stage
Yes, and it is advised after any surgery, even minor ones, to rest and not overdo since that might hurt you. By the time ESC occurs, in two weeks, I am sure his voice will be back full strength.
That OGAE award is a joke lol.
Blas looks so angry every time i see his photos!!
Don’t judge Blas for that though 🙂 People can’t help their faces (although I find him pretty). He seems kind and decent and that’s what matters.
I mean I look stoned in all my pictures but it wasn’t what I was going for 😀
He’s giving you an as*hole vibes on photos but he actually has very nice personality and he’s such a sweetheart.
Off-topic
Tusse uploaded a live performance today on his channel, you can check it out. If the actual performance will sound like this, Sweden may be close to Non Qualification or even Not qualify again, his vocals were terribile. I hope they will use the Live on Tape performance, since it looks like he had a surgery and for now he is not able to sing well like in Mello 🙁
This video? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ebVC3BNNowI
Not this one, the video I am talking about was released today
Well even with great vocals Sweden is a NQ. I just don’t think it deserves to go to the finals.
I agree. This is a strong semi with other songs that are much more deserving but are considered “borderline” right now.
Sweden will qualify if you want it or not it will qualify Juries are gonna put him in top 3 and Televote 7-10 place that is enough to qualify.
LOL,, you wish. Whether you want it or not, Tusse is one of few 100% guranteed qualification in the first semifinal
Tusse is among my finalists, much better than Cyprus or Malta for me, but he relies on big jury support, so if the vocals are terribile, he might possibly be out with them like in 2010 or at least be borderline and not a sure qualifier.
All singers have their bad moments. I do not know when that performance was recorded, but I am sure he is currently resting his voice for rehearsals.
In a stronger year, I’d say the same, but even if the song is lackluster, I love Tusse as a performer just like Destiny and Eden and I find at least 6 songs worse than Sweden, like North Macedonia, Australia, Croatia, Cyprus, Azerbaijan and Lithuania.
He did have a minor surgery on the vocal cords after all so he still has to save his voice and not hurt it which is easily done after a operation. By the time ESC occurs , in two weekend, I am sure he will have it back..
Apart from a great singer, Elena is an amazing person. Her boyfriend got cancer last year, stood by his side everyday and now he is healthy and fine. Such a sweetheart
That’s love ♡
I’ve just been catching up with the new videos on the Eurovision YouTube channel. Loved the interviews with Jeangu, Gjon, Lesley and Tusse. It’s emotional to think that we’ve spent ~2 years with this cohort, seeing their disappointments after last year, the agony and uncertainty as they waited for confirmation of re-selection, or were newly selected in the midst of the pandemic, and still their camaraderie, their enduring spirits, and now the final moment is upon us. It’s on my mind that in 3 weeks, it will all be over—Eurovision 2021 will be such a massive joy but there will… Read more »
Wait rehearsal start Saturday are any of the artist apart from the Netherlands and Stefania in Rotterdam yet
All artists who will rehearse tomorrow will arrive through out today
Senhit fully deserves the awards and recognition—she’s been such a joy and creative delight. Keep it freaky!
Julian Hernandez = super cute.
Elena sounds really good….Thankfully we won’t get another Tamta…
The comments about Tamta can stop now. Her vocal wasn’t bad. She’s 40 years old, and she looked fantastic, moved quite a lot, and sustained all the way through. No way is she some kind of example for a bad performance. Ok she’s not JLo, but she did Cyprus proud.
How is her age relevant to her voice? what a dumb comment.
Age is relevant to stamina, and the ability to dance and sing at high energy.
Engage your brain before calling others dumb, Alex.
Of course there are exceptions, JLo can sing and dance better at 50 than Luca Hanni can in his 20s.
But I agree with you that Elena sounds really good…I’m gay and yet I find her somewhat attractive…she’s stunning and I can’t wait for her performance in *less than 2 weeks!!*
Ima say it, Tamta gave one of my favourite performances of the last few years.