Pictures: itsseppe (Wikimedia Commons), Spotify

On Saturday, VRT announced that it would revive its Eurovision selection Eurosong for 2023. Since then Belgian Eurovision fans have been on the hunt to find potential candidates for the show. Unfortunately, Flemish starlets Pommelien Thijs and Camille have come out to say they will not be taking part in the national final.

Although we recently named them in our Five Fresh Flemish acts article, both Pommelien Thijs and Camille will not be taking part. In a reaction to a question posed by Songfestival.be, Camille’s manager William Vaesen said: 

“If VRT asks us, we would consider a Eurovision participation, but at this moment, it does not fit in Camille’s busy schedule. If she ever takes part, she wants to prepare well and be properly equipped. Eurovision is something for the future for us.”

Pommelien’s manager Lester Williams was rather short and told Songfestival.be: “Pommelien won’t take part in Eurosong, but there will be plenty of nice music coming up.”

Who is enthusiastic to do Eurosong 2023? 

Pat Krimson and Loredana, formerly known as 2 Fabiola, took part in Eurosong 2014. They told VRT that they are preparing a bid for the selection. After all, their entry from almost a decade ago “She’s After My Piano” became a huge summer hit in Flanders, even though the jury dragged it down and wrote it off as kitsch and camp during the show. 

Other big names have been more reluctant. 

Stijn Peeters — who manages both Eurovision 2016 alumna Laura Tesoro and local star Natalia — told Songfestival.be that their management company is not ruling out Eurosong 2023, but have their doubts about it. He said:

“VRT has contacted us indeed. There is careful interest, but we will wait for the concept and format. Natalia is an established name, she won’t take part in slaughterhouse show. The same counts for Laura. If we feel it’s fitting, we want to put in effort to find an appropriate song for Eurosong.”

Flanders’ most successful Eurovision contestant Tom Dice has very specific criteria if he is to take part with The Starlings, a duet he has with his wife Kato Callebaut. He told Songfestival.be

“With The Starlings, we will only take part if we have the feeling we can win Eurovision or at least do better than my sixth place in Oslo. We don’t just want to promote a new single. We work really hard on new music, if there is a suitable song coming from [our work], we will not rule it out.”

Are you hoping any of your favourite artists will take part in Eurosong? Who is on your wishlist? Let us know in the comments down below!

26 Comments
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Geens Rudy
1 year ago

Watch out for Rudge S. Feat Neela Quinn. The proove that unknown talent can surprise !!! If you like a lyric that stay in your head, if you like up tempo or if you like to dance just keep an eye !!!

DarkSideStan
DarkSideStan
1 year ago

I’d love to see Luka Cruysberghs, Charles and Apashe take part

Pablo
Pablo
1 year ago

VRT doesn’t know how to eurovision, they’ve demonstrated it time and time again. I have zero trust in them and their eurosong concept. What they should do is find a talented artist and give them full creative control over song creation and staging.

apollinischesprinzip
apollinischesprinzip
1 year ago

well…

hopefully ibe/bazart will apply.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Loic nottet needs to do it again

Cocooo
Cocooo
1 year ago

I think in the initial phase of the contest, they’d be better off selecting a varied amount of acts, like 7-10 different songs and artists, and just choose a winner during a single evening, a bit similar to UMK and MGP before 2020. That would encourage more famous singers to compete, I think.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

Well the enthusiasm is not here unfortunately. Eurovision still needs to change its image in some countries in order to attract more artists. Ask to some non eurofans what they think about Eurovision and you will hear the words, useless,circus, oldschool, tacky, too political, biased, bad songs and more. Of course now Eurovision is a way to be known worldwide and to sell more music, we know that well, it’s a modern show with good music but there’s still so much work to change its reputation…

motopapi
motopapi
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

And Ukraine having a landslide win this year isn’t helping xd

Bart
Bart
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Every year i hope it improves a bit with good vocals and good songs so people can see it is a really good show. But it depends on every country dicision how they want to select artists, but thats also the fun part of it

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

We need K3 in the national final.

Samira
Samira
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

You realize they specialize in making kids’ music right? It’ll make Belgium return to the 2007-2009 era

Sofie
Sofie
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Hahaha, if we want to end up last, we should.

Mari
Mari
1 year ago

I keep thinking this was a terrible idea, I have zero trust in VRT and the music taste of people who watch Flemish programs. Please somehow prove me wrong, my country.

Geens Rudy
1 year ago
Reply to  Mari

Watch out for Rudge S. Feat Neela Quinn

Meckie
Meckie
1 year ago

Why not search for unknown musical talents instead of some established artists mixed with some comebacks?

Geens Rudy
1 year ago
Reply to  Meckie

Thats a good idea. We participate for 2023 as unknown. So i hope this time i can proove there is more then only Top Artists in Belgium. Check out later Rudge S Feat Neela Quinn. And thanks for this comment. Its a support for all those who wanna show their work for this event.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

The format they had last time worked decently. The key will be not relying too much on in-studio jurors. Trust in the jurors voting on behalf of each country. The artists don’t need the additional stress of immediate feedback. That could be the key to getting more artists interested.

But I like that the reason artists are hedging is because they want to make sure they can compete with a song they’re confident in. That means they actually DO take Eurovision seriously and understand that you can’t send just anything, no matter how famous you are.

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

That’s not good news for thé VRT! Because I think they thought both would be participants

Sofie
Sofie
1 year ago
Reply to  Stephanie

I doubt that this is real as Camille recently said on TV that she would love to represent Belgium.

Geens Rudy
1 year ago
Reply to  Sofie

She won’t participate

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago

I wonder how they will make it a 5 week show. I can’t imagine them finding that many qualitative songs. Maybe shows focusing on 2/3 artists with them battling out for one spot in the final?

Geens Rudy
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

A whole show with only 3 artists? In 2014 they had 203 candidates. I think there is more possible. They want Top Artists for more people to watch of course so i wonder what they will do if they wont participate. If they only want Top Artist then why they should organise Eurosong again. Most of that Top Artist dont participate also because it can damage their imago if they score bad. So we as unknown artist have nothing to fair. Its good or bad . Simple

Geens Rudy
1 year ago
Reply to  Geens Rudy

I mean nothing to fear !!!

beccaboo1212
1 year ago

Turns out Camille and Pommelien are too busy filming new episodes of #LikeMe. It’s like Glee, but they cover Flemish classics rather than international hits with the exception of the winning song from Eurovision 1986.

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
1 year ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

As if 1986 winner was a hit internationally?

TD303
TD303
1 year ago
Reply to  TheDrMistery

No, as in J’aime la vie not being Flemish, you sarcastic fool