Mahmood and Blanco

From the moment they won Sanremo, Mahmood and Blanco have been firm favourites to take home the Eurovision 2022 trophy. But for now, Mahmood will be flying solo as he gets his on-stage bearings. According to local media, Blanco will not attend Italy’s first rehearsal on Thursday.

Italian news outlet La Stampa reported Blanco will miss his first rehearsal in Turin while he finishes up tour commitments elsewhere in Italy.

Blanco will not attend Italy’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2022

Mahmood and Blanco were set to rehearse “Brividi” on the PalaOlimpico stage for the first time on Thursday 5 May, ahead of the live Eurovision shows next week. 

While Blanco is still on tour, Mahmood will take to the stage without his singing partner. Although, it is unlikely Mahmood will have to sing alone.

Further details about a temporary replacement act are yet to be confirmed. However, it is likely the Italian delegation will use a stand-in performer to rehearse in place of Blanco, for the sake of confirming camera movements and stage spots. 

Stand-in performers are a vital part of the Eurovision rehearsal package, and are frequently used in scenarios such as these. In 2017, “Amar Pelos Dois” songwriter Luisa Sobral stood in for Salvador Sobral due to health issues

Additionally, in 2021, San Marino’s Senhit performed alongside rapper Don Jiggy while awaiting Flo Rida’s arrival. Meanwhile, a stand-in singer performed with Ukraine’s Go_A while lead singer Kateryna Pavlenko remained in isolation over a COVID-19 scare.

Mahmood and Blanco will reunite in time for their second rehearsal on Saturday 7 May, where they’ll perform “Brividi” together once again.

What do you think? Will Blanco missing out on the first Eurovision 2022 rehearsal hinder the Italian act’s performance? Let us know in the comments below.

107 Comments
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Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
1 year ago

It seems the rappers desease. Last year FloRida this year Blanco . As if this scheme of reherasals wasnt known before and hé couldnt.

escfan24
escfan24
1 year ago

people are using this just as an excuse to throw more hate on Italy, is it because they are second in the odds? is it because your country will be a nq? i smell jealousy from some people

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

No need to throw shade at innocent Eurovision fans!

nycforever
nycforever
1 year ago

Why do people overreact so much about everything. I honestly lost any desire to read any article here, especially comment section (yeah, I am waiting for responses like “don’t read then”). People erupt so much hatred, so much dissatisfaction. OMG, this is just the first rehearsal. They’ve sang this song million times together. The song doesn’t expect any special and extraordinary staging. They just need to come out and sing well, what they actually do brillantly. The person has commitments planned a year beforehand. It is not easy to change everything quickly, and especially cancel a concert (+ he’s probably… Read more »

jjyt76
jjyt76
1 year ago

Hm. Watch him get Covid.

potaxio
potaxio
1 year ago
Reply to  jjyt76

Ok hypochondriac

Sesil
Sesil
1 year ago

Does Italy even care about Eurovision? Italians seem to be more excited about Sanremo 2023 than Eurovision next week, if you care this little about the show, why even participate?

Vale
Vale
1 year ago
Reply to  Sesil

Actually it was EBU that asked Italy to return. Being one of the big 5, it increases the budget. First year return, audience was just 8 % in Italy for Eurovision. Slowly increasing over 20% audience in the last years. The same audience, before Italy left. The aim is to increase the Italian Eurovision fandom. But with the nastiness and hate of the other Eurovision fans, I have my doubts that this will happen. After all the attacks received this last year, starting with the drug taking allegations.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Vale

There’s no hate to see other than your own hate for us.

Vale
Vale
1 year ago

Pathetic. And from someone that always trash Italy.

Iamme
Iamme
1 year ago
Reply to  Sesil

Well: italians do care about Sanremo much more. The biggest majority of the people I know won’t even watch Eurovision final on Sat 15/05; they’ll simply go out.
It is a matter of numbers: the audience of Sanremo in Italy is huge, while Eurovision is still trying to increase its popularity.

Lorena
Lorena
1 year ago

I love Brividi, but seeing the organisation of this festival and that one of their contender does not take it seriously… really I don’t want them to win again.

ItaloV
ItaloV
1 year ago
Reply to  Lorena

Lorena, do you REALLY think that any of the artists in ESC only rehearse the time they have assigned on these days? do you REALLY think that they have not rehearsed in other stages many many many times before this?

And other than the sun, please tell me what you are seeing wrong with the organization, sitting from your house?

Seriously people: you can have all the opinions you want but before expressing them, think a bit. The level of nonsensery is way too much.

Memento_Amori
Memento_Amori
1 year ago

“Italy is not committed enough to Eurovision”, and yet in the last 10 years their representatives hit the top ten 8 times (1 third place, 2 second places and a victory). Maybe sending songs which are actually good is their sign of commitment? Go figure.

Voix
Voix
1 year ago
Reply to  Memento_Amori

If it wasn’t for San Marino they would flop, see 2014

Voix
Voix
1 year ago
Reply to  Voix

Damn San Remo*

AxV
AxV
1 year ago
Reply to  Voix

What do you want to prove with that? Italy is strong thanks to Sanremo, of course. Maybe the problem are other sending delegations that doesn’t find a right way to choose their representatives?

Sesil
Sesil
1 year ago
Reply to  Memento_Amori

So because they send good songs, that means they are free of sin and criticism? Okay, got it. Truth is Italians care more about Sanremo 2023 next year than Eurovision in Turin next week, so why even participate? It feels like Italy is treating Eurovision like a side thing, something they’re “forced to do.” They are not commited at all, not even to fix their stage

ItaloV
ItaloV
1 year ago
Reply to  Sesil

Not commited at all? It seems that the ESC is being planned in the middle of a square with two people clapping and a torch. C’mon now, seriously?

YEAH YEAH FIRE
YEAH YEAH FIRE
1 year ago

What in the flo rida ?

Im so fab
Im so fab
1 year ago

I have stopped supporting Italy since they proved how little they care about Eurovision with all these drama. Blanco just makes it easier.

Otis
Otis
1 year ago

Greeks love Eurovision! You are more than welcome to Athens or Thessaloniki!!! WE love to host it and we would love to give Amanda the hug that she deserves. She is passionate about Eurovision and she is so adorable! Her song is very sweet and we are looking forward to say Kalispera Eurovision to sunny Greece 😛 hohohoh

dimples
dimples
1 year ago

It’s been very interesting how a lot of people is trying to bully this year italian contestants. Afraid much of a second winning? It’s known for a fact that a lot of this year contestants don”t have an important, or any, discography career at all.

Hannah
Hannah
1 year ago
Reply to  dimples

Actually some of them do have their own discography and touring.

Voix
Voix
1 year ago
Reply to  dimples

Who defines what is an important discography or not and most importantly, who are you to judge

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  dimples

Shouldn’t they be at Eurovision, the BIGGEST stage in the world, promoting their song? It feels counter-intuative to go live anywhere else.

ItaloV
ItaloV
1 year ago

you all need to chill.. seriously. Wiwibloggs is covering this now, but it is not as this was not set from the very beginning, and as if Mahmood and Blanco haven’t rehearsed plenty before hand with this situation. Gosh, you are the worse fans in the world, just full of toxic energy, talking as if you know everything is going on and respecting no one. Shame on all of you. It is the same with the sun situation. Wiwibloggs shared something was said through the danish delegation, and not a real statement from the EBU. Reading other medias, it is… Read more »

Lion76
Lion76
1 year ago
Reply to  ItaloV

Completely agree with you. Well said

Helene
Helene
1 year ago
Reply to  ItaloV

This is what Some other media are reporting: ”La Stampa reports that there are technical issues with a key element of the stage for Eurovision 2022, the kinetic sun. The arches that form the kinetic sun element of the stage for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is experiencing technical issues according to La Stampa. Citing sources within the technical team, they report that the motorisation of the arches and circles has been discovered in the past day. The issue with the motors that are meant to enable the movement of the arches and circles, means that the kinetic sun is… Read more »

ItaloV
ItaloV
1 year ago
Reply to  Helene

but you see, we are not having the EBU statement. this is the problem, we can discuss about what some sources say here, others there. anyway, there is no need for so much hate and toxicity.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  ItaloV

I’m sorry, but you try to make excuses to hosting lapses that happened this year pretending everything goes on as normal.

ItaloV
ItaloV
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

It is not about making excuses, it is about people hating without all the facts.

sucof
sucof
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

professional haters like you should be banned

Friedenau
Friedenau
1 year ago

This Eurovision should become a Netflix movie. The amount of mishaps and messiness is just is just too good.

Milla
Milla
1 year ago

Money money money. Eurovision is just a hobby activity.

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

y’all making a huge fuss because of a rehearsal

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Jo.

Some people can be petty.

Jaz
Jaz
1 year ago

Am I the only one who thinks the less these two rehearse, the better the final performance will be?

Johan
Johan
1 year ago
Reply to  Jaz

I agree. They will do just fine in the final regardless. Professionals, those two…

Jaz
Jaz
1 year ago
Reply to  Johan

The effortless vibe they have can only be helped by Blanco’s tour committments I reckon 😀

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

No, I haven’t been asked to stand in for Blanco. Best of luck to the person who does get the opportunity. You have both my admiration and my jealousy. 🙂

Adnama
Adnama
1 year ago

Didnt he know hes going to Eurovision? Lol
After all this mess this year Im praying Italy wont do a double, lets get this year over and move away from Italy asap. And hopefully Italy will go back to sending great entries and coming close to win but not win hah

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Adnama

He knows but it’s not that easy to simply clear off any scheduled commitments that have been booked by your management months in advance.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  James

Yes, it is. It is called priorities.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

The guy is only missing out the first run-through. There’s nothing to be so hanged up on, especially when they have more rehearsal days ahead of the final.

AxV
AxV
1 year ago
Reply to  Adnama

Blanco’s tour was scheduled months before he won Sanremo, there was several concerts scheduled in the days of Eurovision which, of course, his team managed to postpone. Probably this one was way too difficult to do, and considered that first-rehearsal is useful only for the shots, it is okay to be professionals with his fans and do the concert instead to cancel it definitely.

AxV
AxV
1 year ago
Reply to  AxV

there were*

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago

I mean, if Blanco didn’t want to represent his country at Eurovision he could’ve declined the offer. This is utterly disrespectful for both Mahmood and the rest of the Sanremo lineup that was eager to represent Italy this year

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  ete sech

Blanco will still be representing Italy this year. Jeff Bezos has not flown him to Mars, Blanco is just missing half an hour’s work. Work that can easily be done by somebody else.

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago
Reply to  ete sech

Shoot! I look like I took it too personally but the truth is I didn’t consider a lot of stuff that came out later :s

Ellie
Ellie
1 year ago

There being potential conflicts with his tour and Eurovision has been known about for months. He rescheduled his Bologna and Brescia dates just after winning Sanremo for that very reason. I don’t know why he didn’t think to move more.

Rehearsals are important not only to perfect the last touches after months of planning, but to spot any issues that can’t be foreseen until on the stage itself. We’re seeing this with a number of entries already. It’s a gamble not to take advantage of every minute on stage.

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Ellie

Its the posh attitude by many Italians towards eurovision, they do San Remo and Eurovision comes after and they clearly dont care. Nina Zilli is the perfect example of that, she trash talked eurovision the day after the final because she didnt like her 9th place

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

Can you really blame her for doing that in a year when the Russian grannies almost won the televote tho?

Essie
Essie
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

ok but the Russian grannies were adorable

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Essie

Obviously, I’m just glad we don’t have to suffer through the Russian delegation’s constant cynical BS anymore.

Fabian Schmidt
Fabian Schmidt
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

I think Mahmood çares about Eurovision but the other singer -Blanco- doesnt.

Ellie
Ellie
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

I don’t think it’s fair to say this is an Italian issue. It’s an individual one. Last year, Måneskin submitted an 88 page document covering every detail of their eventual winning performance. And judging by Achille Lauro’s staging this year, you cannot say a lot of thought and effort wasn’t put in. We get performers from every country who are more or less enthusiastic (and prepared) than others each year.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Ellie

Some performers might be more like Salvador Sobral, completely allergic to over-rehearsal. He could barely stick the half he was there for.

Voix
Voix
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Sobral had health issues, Blanco has attitude issues

schlageresque
schlageresque
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

ah yeah, that obnoxious, conceited a**hole.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Considering the guy was sick and due for life-saving surgery later that year, makes sense to lighten his workload.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  James

Yes, I know, but that was not at all what I was talking about. Even in good health, he finds it hard to do the same thing over and over again in exactly the same way. Even for the half he was there for, he sang the song differently every time. Full rehearsals would have been twice as hard for him. He only sang the song just as it was written for the final because his sister told him to.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Because not all artists are the same.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  James

That I also know. I am in no way complaining about Salvador Sobral.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

No, she did not. She said she loved the experience and that it was worth it.

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Yeah it was her hologram saying she was “zilli the 9th”, not her

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Ellie

Doesn’t an artist’s label or management who handles booking any shows? If anything though, it’s difficult to just outright cancel gigs that have been booked in advance. What’s important is that the week of Eurovision itself is cleared for him, and Blanco would have plenty of time to rehearse for the final.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

He will have hundreds and hundreds of concerts in his career, but he might do Eurovision once in his lifetime. That’s the thing. I wish Elisa won Sanremo this year.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Or Irama.

Clara
Clara
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Yep, Elisa actually really wants to do Eurovision too. I doubt she would skip rehearsals.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

Of course it made no sense to cancel his concert for a first rehearsal, cmon now. Artists live off their concerts, I’m sure they can find a stand-in artist like they did in 2017, 2021 etc
I am curious about the staging of Brividi. I absolutely think Italy will not be in top 3 despite what fans and bookies think but it should do fine in the top 10.

Will Mahmood interact with any ESC artists?? I’m wondering..

Voix
Voix
1 year ago

Italians and the production doesn’t even try to hide their disinterest for the contest. The sun doesn’t work? whatever. Blanco has a concert in the middle of rehearsals? Whatever. Reminds me of a toxic ex who made zero effort and when I called him out he was like whatever that’s all I can do, if you don’t like it leave.

P.S I left immediately

12points
12points
1 year ago

Can we just let Sweden or Spain win? These two countries actually want to host

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  12points

Yes please

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
1 year ago
Reply to  Jghtl

Or even the UK it’s about time they had a win and this year they deserve it. Or even Greece, I’ll happily pack my bags for a few weeks in Thessaloniki. Not so sure on Sweden or Spain but, still happy to see either Gothenburg or Barcelona take the reigns of the contest for a year.

jana
jana
1 year ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

exactly!

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Yeees, that would be cool

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

These people have jobs. Playing concerts and going on tour is what they do for a living. Don’t get triggered and stop bullying them.

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

oh so the other artists who flew from their countries and dedicate two weeks of their lives on location and months of preparation are rich. Tell us more, we listen

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

Blanco did not need to fly from another country, which makes it easier not to disappoint the people who paid money to see him. Blanco would only have been a small part of the first rehearsal, it is not all about the performers. Everything that needs to be done will still be done.

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

The one half of the duet is a small part of the first rehearsal? Who is gonna sing his parts, the cameraman? Are you serious???

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

Vocal rehearsals don’t need to be done on camera.

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

This is not a vocal rehearsal but a stage rehearsal that is also filmed and reviewed in the green room, come up with better excuses these are very cheap

voix
voix
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

thats the kind of cheap excuses I said when I didnt study for an exam lmao

Lion76
Lion76
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

And also have fans that won’t be disappointed

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago

Treating eurovision as the side gig because they wanted to promote their career in San Remo is just sad, yeah we get it you dont wanna win, you dont even reschedule a concert, you dont even build a stage that works, sorry for bothering you lol

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

I just hope Italy won’t win again this year. And if Ukraine wins, I would love to see UK as a host

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
1 year ago
Reply to  Jghtl

UK as host I am here for but, the UK can still win this outright you know, it’s not that unfeasible.

Fabian Schmidt
Fabian Schmidt
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

I think Mahmood cares about eurovision song contest as he also participated in 2019. But the other Italian singer isn’t interested.

sam
sam
1 year ago

sorry but this is disrespectful to the all of the other sanremo artists who wanted so badly to represent italy on home soil. showing up for rehearsals are a part of representing your country, obviously if you have health problems it is an exception but blanco is actively making the choice to not show up. he could’ve canceled those concerts because representing your country is one thing, but doing so on home soil makes this an even bigger insult

Fabian Schmidt
Fabian Schmidt
1 year ago
Reply to  sam

I think the schedule of rehearsals were announced last week. If these concerts were already scheduled; that’s why they couldnt postpone it. But you are right; this is disrespectful

schlageresque
schlageresque
1 year ago
Reply to  Fabian Schmidt

Ehrm.. announced last week maybe, but scheduled months ago and participating artists were aware of that, so that’s no excuse. Just another lame example of how the contest is treated by our hosts this year.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  sam

I don’t know why they even accepted the offer. Elisa or Irama would have appreciated it much more.

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

I think the problem here’s Blanco, I see Mahmood fully committed. But yeah, Elisa and Irama would’ve appreciated the experience way more than Blanco does

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  sam

It’s only first rehearsals. They’d have a stand-in to accomodate Blanco’s absence. What matters is he shows up on the rehearsals where he and Mahmood are most needed.

Hannah
Hannah
1 year ago

I wonder if the juries will put these two in 11th spot because of the stage issues for their delegations.

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Hannah

they better, there shouldnt be even the slightest possibility of Italy hosting next year

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

it’s not a contest about the best host but the best song in case you forgot..

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

Songs need a stage to be performed. Should we be thankful that Italy is not hosting it on a parking lot?

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

A parking lot sounds great compared to this year’s stage

Chessguy99
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

If it was a contest about who would be the best host, Sweden would regularly win and place high. Oh, wait…

Jack
Jack
1 year ago

His stans trying to excuse this is pathetic, rules apply for everyone, he could reschedule but again, RAI could have also fix the sun and leave the led side in front. Hope the duo give some of their precious time for us european peasants and show up in the final

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack

If they don’t show up, even better

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

The most random news we could have gotten this night, haha.

Branko86
Branko86
1 year ago

priorities

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I would like to volunteer as stand-in, no charge.

Alaska
Alaska
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I would like to volunteer as stand-in for Mahmood in case he wants to stay in the hotel (with you) and skip the second rehearsal. No charge!