Belgium are set to be the next country to choose their act for Eurovision 2023, with national final Eurosong 2023 taking place on 14 January. Now broadcaster VRT has revealed the names of the 15 people who will sit on the selection’s professional jury and contribute part of the final result.

The winner of Eurosong 2023 will be decided by both the public and also an expert jury. This jury is composed of national and international personalities, ranging from past Eurovision contestants, radio hosts, authors and Eurovision bloggers.

Eurosong 2023 jury members

  • Alexander Rybak (Norway Eurovision 2009 and 2018)
  • Laura Tesoro (Belgium Eurovision 2016)
  • Jérémie Makiese (Belgium Eurovision 2022)
  • Nikkie De Jager, aka NikkieTutorials (Eurovision 2021 co-host)
  • Laura Govaerts (MNM Radio)
  • Ann Reymen (Radio2)
  • Korneel De Clercq (Radio 1)
  • Thibault Christiaensen (StuBru Radio)
  • Francicso Schuster (#LikeMe)
  • Leslie Cable (Head of Delegation for RTBF at Eurovision)
  • Jasper Van Biesen (Author of 65 jaar België op het Songfestival)
  • Stephan Monsieur (Chair OGAE Beglium)
  • André Vermeulen (Journalist and Eurovision specialist)
  • Els Germonpré (Music coordinator at Eén)
  • Manu Lammens (Music manager at MNM)

Duncan Laurence, winner of Eurovision 2019 for the Netherlands, will also be present at Eurosong 2023. He’ll perform his winning song “Arcade” on the Paleis 12 stage.

Nikki De Jager

Best known as NikkieTutorials, Nikki De Jager is a makeup artist from the Netherlands. Her YouTube channel, where she posts lifestyle and makeup videos, has over 14 million followers and she’s worked with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. But Nikkie is also a self-professed Eurovision fanatic, and she co-presented the contest in Rotterdam in 2021.

“What really stuck with me is the magic you felt in Ahoy Rotterdam when Måneskin did their rehearsals. Whether it’s your music genre or not, you felt something happening in the venue. I hope to experience that feeling at Eurosong 2023 as well. I’m looking for a full package, where everything comes together perfectly… that’s what I’m going to pay attention to! It was already a dream come true that I could present Eurovision. The fact that I can now help determine who will represent Belgium, I consider it such a big joy. What confidence… I’m looking forward to it!”

Alexander Rybak

One of the most iconic Eurovision figures, Alexander Rybak enchanted the audience with his violin and song “Fairytale” back in 2009, when he brought victory to Norway. He returned in 2018 when the contest was held in Lisbon, representing Norway with the song “That’s How You Write A Song”. In addition to judging Eurosong 2023, Rybak will also perform his legendary song “Fairytale” on Paleis 12’s stage during the national final.

“I love starting the new year exploring new music. Belgium has a lot of musical talent. I myself have many Belgian fans on TikTok and Instagram, so I’m excited to visit you!”

Jérémie Makiese

Former contestant of The Voice Belgique in 2021, Jérémie Makiese represented Belgium at Eurovision 2022 in Turin, finishing 19th in the final. His Eurovision song, “Miss You”, also climbed to the top of the Flemish music charts.

“It is an honour that this year, together with Flanders, I can determine who will succeed me as a Belgian candidate for the Eurovision Song Contest. I myself like all kinds of different music styles and that is exactly what Eurosong 2023 will bring: the songs of the candidates are very diverse in terms of genres. I can’t wait to see how they will perform their song live on the big Eurosong stage.”

Laura Tesoro

Laura Tesoro represented Belgium in Eurovision 2016 with her song “What’s the Pressure”. Winning the audience’s hearts, she finished in tenth position during the grand final. Her Eurovision song remained in Belgian charts for 22 weeks.

The Belgian star has continued her success since then, collaborating with Loïc Nottet (who represented Belgium at Eurovision 2015) on the song “Strangers”. Laura already has skills in selecting talented artists as she carries the experience of being a judge for several years on The Voice van Vlaanderen.

About Eurosong 2023

Seven contestants will participate at Eurosong 2023 — Loredana, Chérine, Ameerah, Gustaph, gala dragot, The Starlings and Hunter Falls.

Each of them has prepared two songs. During a series of introduction shows from 9 January, they’ll select which song they want to take forward to the live grand final on 14 January.

The grand final will be held in Brussels at Palais 12, where one act will be chosen as Belgium’s representative for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool.

What do you make of the jury panel for Eurosong 2023? Who do you think they’ll vote for? Let us know in the comments below.

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Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago

Cherine sounds like she is 11 years old, and looks like it as well…. Armenia in Junior Eurovision sounds like an adult act compared to Cherine… In other words – i do not like this juvenile sound at all. I prefer more mature songs, songs for adults and not just for children…

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago

My favourites are Ameerah and a little bit Cherine.But this preselection is very average.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Germany knows how to select their entries. They always have wonderful national finals with great winners and top placements in the contest. I have full faith in Germany : )

In all seriousness, I really hope those songs have variety and interest and that the selection process won’t be as busted as it was last year and in 2019. It’s hard to do worse than those so Germany, step it up and stop wasting a grand final spot. UK & Spain stepped up so we are all waiting for Germany.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

🙂

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago

Could simply mean “this person at least knows the rules of this contest”. Often it’s a lot to ask for

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  Dawid

Nah, but if you memorised it and was able to use it when needed, then yeah

Dawid
Dawid
1 year ago
Reply to  Dawid

Do they? Do they want to win or send the most talented person? It’s not always the same thing.

Maxim
Maxim
1 year ago

I think the songs will be revealed in full form on January 13! One day before the final …

Sam
Sam
1 year ago
Reply to  Maxim

From 9 January to 13 January, vrt will reveal the 14 songs during some pre shows where they will introduce the 7 artists, so we get to know them better. Each artist will sing both of their songs in front of the other 6 participants, who will then give feedback to the peformer. At the end of each episode, the artists who sang their 2 songs will pick 1 song to participate with in the grand final on 14 January :))

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Asking the practical questions.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

Cherine is winning this easily

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Would the Flemish pick a song in French tho is my worry

Euros
Euros
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

They picked 2014 singer though. So no worry!

TD303
TD303
1 year ago
Reply to  Euros

A Walloon singer with a song in English is different than a French song though. Chérine’s my favorite too so I really hope so

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Euros

Considering what 2014 was I am guessing that was more of a “Well we have nothing better so let’s send this meme entry instead”

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

The who and what now?! Ruslana said that “Moustache” was gonna win ESC?!

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

OMG why was I thinking France. Wait that doesn’t make it better “Mother” was an even worse entry!

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Am I the only one who has Moldova as their 2009 ESC winner?

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Germany should have won 2011 as well as 2010.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

It’s still quite baffling Azerbuyjan won 2011.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Yup. No other explanation for it. That dreadful cheesy and sugar overdosey entry did not deserve ish.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Wow.

potaxio
potaxio
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Indeed! It isn’t even their best song ever. In fact, I think it’s one of their worst ones. 2012 was the best imo and them winning with that song would’ve looked way less suspicious.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Did you clap like you were told? That doesn’t seem very you.

potaxio
potaxio
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Why did you stop attending ESC? I’m curious

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

That is pretty comical.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Looking forward to The Carnival & Ça M’ennuie Pas

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

I’m glad Nikki is actively choosing to stay in the Eurovision bubble.

She could’ve easily said no to being a juror and stayed in her LA home making big money, but she has a real passion for Eurovision which I love to see.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago

The photos chosen do not look flattering. No one looks happy, more like forced to do it.Only Rybak looks genuinely happy. But mind you, he has gone through a lot of stuff so he has reason to be happy now..

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

You don’t gotta look happy and smiley in every picture…doesn’t mean you’re depressed. They look beautiful and serious. Nothing wrong about it.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Never said they are depressed. You can not see that from a picture. Although happy people often suffer from depression

Colin
Colin
1 year ago

This is resembling a professional jury I want for ESC to have for each country. 15 people from different backgrounds, most of them in the music industry, and the rest closely associated with Eurovision as a contest, assessing the entries. A point for Belgium! I still can’t believe that ESC itself only has 5 jurors per country. And yes, even San Marino could afford 15.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

They really need to strategically mark down Tom Dice, to stop the public from sending him again just based on his name.

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

I guess it’s why he is taking part as part of a duo that goes by its own name.

Gilles
Gilles
1 year ago
Reply to  James

That duo has been an item for years now, and Kato is his wife.

Little Miss Sassy
Little Miss Sassy
1 year ago

Omg… Nikkie looks like Ronela

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

Nikki isn’t photoshopped, if you watch her videos you’ll see she’s pretty flawless.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

Nikkie is striking : )

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

I agree that she looks too tan in this picture but it’s far from blackfishing.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

I know

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Because you gotta look smiley and happy in every picture you’re in…You’re being rude…

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Not disagreeing with that with the statement on the beauty industry.

Maxim
Maxim
1 year ago

As a Belgian myself I think the jury is ok. It is good that they chose for a big jury and not a small one. Although I think there should be more international jurors.

TD303
TD303
1 year ago

Good that they have 15 jurors and not 5 as in Eurovision! I do wonder how that’s going to equal out with the televote. Knowing the Flemish public though, they’re gonna vote in droves for the most famous name, i.e. The Starlings. Don’t think, however, they would be the best choice.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  TD303

I think the starlings would be the decent and safe choice, if they go with Oceanside. I admit they wouldn’t be my first choice for Belgium, but I wouldn’t mind them at eurovision.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  TD303

Do the Walloons even watch VRT? I don’t know if Cherinne is a notable enough name to grab votes.