The BBC continue to keep their lips tightly sealed about who will follow Sam Ryder and represent the United Kingdom on home soil at Eurovision 2023 – but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from turning.

What we do know is that the BBC will once again be working with TaP music – the company that’s worked with the likes of Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey and Ellie Goulding. Whilst the artist does not necessarily need to be signed to TaP (as was the case with Sam Ryder), they will be working closely with the music group to come up with the perfect act, in an effort to give the UK its first Eurovision win in over 20 years.

In recent weeks, the hottest rumour to surface is that BRIT-nominated pop songstress Rina Sawayama may have a go. Fans have noticed that she has a gaping hole in her busy schedule between February and June… exactly the period when she would be needed for Eurovision promo, rehearsal and competition duties. And then there’s her song “Frankenstein” – released conveniently just after the September cut off date – which rolls in at just over 3 minutes.

In this article we are going to highlight 5 reasons why this rumour makes us wet our knickers with excitement, and why Miss Sawayama would be an incredible representative of the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2023. 

The Radio Times has reported that Rina is NOT headed to Eurovision. But we can still dream…

1. Rina Sawayama is a big deal

One reason it would be a revelation sending Ms Sawayama to Eurovision is that the UK would be sending someone that’s actually relevant in the music industry today. Her 2022 album ‘Hold The Girl’ reached #3 in the UK charts, and she enjoys over 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify. She has embarked on 3 headline tours, and this year she has been nominated for a BRIT award for ‘Best New Artist’ – defying the rampant ageism in the pop industry. Our girl is 32 years young.

2. She’s a Japanese-British trailblazer

Rina Sawayama represents the UK’s multicultural make up, being born in Niigata, Japan, and moving to London at the age of five. She is not only an inspiration for immigrants to the UK – reaching such success after arriving with no knowledge of the English language – but someone who fights against systemic racism, singing about her identity as a Japanese Brit. All of the UK’s representatives in the past decade have been white. That’s unsettling given how culturally rich and diverse the U.K. is. 

 

3. She’s an authentic queen

Rina writes and produces her own music. She’s a hands-on creator who pours herself into her art. Authenticity is something that has become more and more valued at Eurovision in recent years, with the majority of top placing songs being written or co-written by the performers themselves. And let’s make it clear that it’s not just any old songs she writes… her music is really, really good.

4. She’s an LGBT icon

After coming out in 2017, Rina has solidified her status as a fully bonafide LGBT icon. She identifies as both bisexual and pansexual, and makes a point of openly writing about girls in her music. Continually fighting for LGBT rights, she signed an open letter to the British government to ban LGBT conversion therapy in 2020. We stan diversity, we stan freedom, and we stan a gay icon. Enough said.

5. She’s Eurovision-ready 

And her music isn’t just great – it’s also made for Eurovision. Albanian veterans would be envious of the sassy post-chorus guitar solos in “This Hell,” and the epic key change in her 2022 hit “Hold the Girl” gives Sanna Nielsen a run for her money. What’s more is that her costuming and staging are breath-taking. From Renaissance peasant to futuristic space girl, she knows how to make a spectacle – and she certainly would not go unnoticed at Eurovision. And we haven’t even mentioned those vocals yet!

 

In recent days the Co-founder of Tap music, Ben Mawson, has in fact responded to these rumours in an Instagram post, confirming that the UK’s Eurovision 2023 entry will indeed not be Rina’s “Frankenstein”. That said, he confirmed that the song is yet to be chosen – meaning that we cannot rule out the chance of Miss Sawayama representing the UK with a new song. There is still hope!

We still have no news as to when the BBC will be revealing their act for Eurovision 2023, although if it’s anything like last year, the song may be lingering around radio airplay before it gets confirmed – so keep your eyes and ears peeled. We’re waiting… and we hope to see Rina step out of the rumour mill and onto the Eurovision stage very soon. 

What do you think? Could Rina Sawayama bring the trophy home for the UK? Is there anyone else you suspect the BBC may choose? Let us know in the comments below!

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CagardiB
CagardiB
1 year ago

Saw her in concert in stockholm last week and SHE GAVE ME CHILLS OF HOW EFFING GOOD SHE’S LIVE. If she’s going I’d have to replace Loreen for her.

David Wilson
David Wilson
1 year ago

This Hell would be good for Eurovision. A real banger!!

vetrina
vetrina
1 year ago

She doesn’t need ESC. She is doing great already. Taking part in the contest would be a step backwards for her career. She already has BRIT and VMA noms and maybe a Grammy nom in the near future.

Jess
Jess
1 year ago
Reply to  vetrina

She is but her fans think she’s Harry Styles when she’s relatively unknown in the mainstream pop world.

Well known Japanese
Well known Japanese
1 year ago

Another Japanese for Eurovision 2023.Tokimeki(from Estonia),Umami Tsunami(from Norway),Sayonara(from Spain)

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

Rumouring Rina Sawayama might still be a bit of a stretch, but I’d be over the moon if it turns out to be true

Moonstar
Moonstar
1 year ago

“Frankenstein ” is boring.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

This ain’t gonna happen, her career hasn’t even peaked yet.

Remember the Jessie J participation speculation last year? Well, this is just version 2.0.

Filler
Filler
1 year ago

I don’t know if she is going to be the one but if you watch the Frankenstein live version from Brixton Academy is amazing. The crowd would go wild and she can be a definitely top 5 at least

Danni
Danni
1 year ago

Speaking of speculation, I am pretty sure Delta Goodrem is representing Australia this year!!! She is on a European tour in the first half of this year and it ends in Manchester on May 2, so surely Eurovision will follow??? They would have definitely cancelled Australia Decides for her ?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Danni

I hope it’s something like “Wings”, and not a heartfelt slow song with impressive vocals.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

I don’t know if she’ll actually be the UK representative, but she could attend as an interval act.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

I like her, but she only released her first album in 2020. Interval acts usually have done more to earn that spot.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
1 year ago

I’d like to point out that nobody is too big to be UK eurovision entrant considering Sam got to host the London NYE party which is usually reserved for total legends. Most artists should jump at the chance. The only embarrassment can come from having a weak entry, bad voice and no budget for things such as staging. Put the effort in with a real talent and there should be only positive outcomes.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
1 year ago
Reply to  Trocatroc

And by positive outcomes I mean impact on future career.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
1 year ago

Why must you do this to us wiwibloggs??!

Robert
Robert
1 year ago

After hearing Frankenstein and knowing her abilities she would be perfect for Eurovision and the UK.. here’s hoping

Maybush
Maybush
1 year ago

I would love it to be Rina. Tap music have sent 2 of the UKs best Eurovision songs so far (spaceman and Lose my Head) so whoever they choose I am sure it will be good. I am hoping though that as this Eurovision will be extra high profile in the UK this year that the will send someone extra special. For me Rina would fit the bill

BlueZone
BlueZone
1 year ago
Reply to  Maybush

TaP weren’t involved with Junior. Lose My Head was chosen by HoD Lee Smithurst and the CBBC JESC team. Freya was chosen by the songwriters, Dan Shipton (creative director) and Annabelle Williams (vocal coach).

Panna
Panna
1 year ago

The gap in her tour is most likely related to the release of John Wick: Chapter 4, where she has a role in.

Alice
Alice
1 year ago
Reply to  Panna

She doesn’t have a gap in her tour. Her tour ends in February. Then she had a single festival appearance planned.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago
Reply to  Alice

Just quoting this article, have not checked the tour dates myself.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago

rina sawayama is aiming for an international career as a critical darling. no one who has that ambition would ever consider esc lmao.

Jonny B
Jonny B
1 year ago

She said in an interview that she ‘stans’ Eurovision. It may well be something she ends up participating in bc she’s interested in it and wants to enjoy the experience.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonny B

Or she could be an interval act for Eurovision. With the UK hosting Eurovision, it would be perfect timing.

Jess
Jess
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

No, she won’t be an interval act.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonny B

Everybody’s a ‘stan’ in this article. The doors that Eminem has opened.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Anyone with that aim is a pretentious fake, which doesn’t sound like her.

Bela
Bela
1 year ago

And why exactly is it a good reason to do ESC if someone is LGBT? I’m tired of expecting someone to participate just because they are gay, I don’t think someone’s sexuality adds anything to a song or a performance, unless it’s overly sexualized which doesn’t seem to be the case here. And they can be just as uninterested in ESC as anyone else.

Bela
Bela
1 year ago
Reply to  Bela

Not to mention that your song can be horrible, no matter if you are straight or not.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Bela

Well it’s a box ticked and would save her making a “shock announcement” in the run- up to the contest, which has been done sooooo many times before.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Bela

Why is that the reason you dispute? The other reasons are just as thin. This is just fun, relax, we know gay people frighten some people. This will not be going to government for cabinet deliberation.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Bela

To answer your question further, the article says that Rina “makes a point of openly writing about girls in her music”… which we’ve never had before. Boy/boy or girl/girl. After 67 years, it’s about time.

Ian Fowell
Ian Fowell
1 year ago

I agree that Rita would be a great choice for Eurovision. I always thought her song ‘Hold The Girl’ would have been a great Euro song. Unfortunately, that one is too old now.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago

Off topic. Have you noticed Tuesdays handover ceremony on BBC2 has only allocated 30mins! Previous ceremonies shown on Eurovision.tv have lasted approximately 1 hour. If live with ceremonial visit from Turn and the draw can all this be accommodated in 30 minutes therefore is it really live or edited.

BlueZone
BlueZone
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

I saw that, and checked previous years on YT, and actually they were around 40 mins, not an hour. When you take into account that Rylan and AJ have English as a first language, and therefore will speak it ever so slightly faster than presenters from other countries, coupled with a likely overrun of a few minutes, this 30 min slot does make more sense. More likely to be 35-37 mins in reality.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

We are lucky to be getting it at all

TMay
TMay
1 year ago

LMAO it wont be her. And i know i cant tryst the article as Ben Mawson confirmed Rina’s Frankenstien won’t be the entry

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

Who?

AndersP
AndersP
1 year ago

Really?

Jess
Jess
1 year ago
Reply to  AndersP

Umm if you asked 99% of people in the UK they would not know her.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jess

Yeah, but after reading a whole article about her they probably would.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

That’s the difference between knowing of someone and knowing them.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Neither being a reflection of their worth, of course.

Robert
Robert
1 year ago

People sound so stupid when they say Who?

Yannis
Yannis
1 year ago

But even its her which are going to be very exciting news. I don’t think she would go with a song that release as a single 2 months ago. By that time I’m sure they would had start negotiations

Andy
Andy
1 year ago

And Tkay Maidza for Australia

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

She already declined that she will go so not sure why you have put this article out.

Nancy G
Nancy G
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

When did she decide? The Radio Times just said “it understands that…” she isn’t going. But there is no source or anything. I feel like she’s still on the table.

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

Well even Ulrikke said she wouldnt come back to MGP this year, the evening BEFORE she was announced! They have to oblige to host broadcasters rule so until BBC says something anything is possible, even with Rina.

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

She has never talked about going to Eurovision recently.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

Never recently, but not never ever.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago

I mean the radiotimes article doesn’t rule out anything . It just says the gap is not specifically intended for eurovision and last time TAP made a statement they said they were still looking for their act.

Nancy G
Nancy G
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Exactly! And all Ben Mawson said was that “it’s not Frankenstein” — not that it’s not Rina.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

It’s time for the UK to send a song in a language other than English; so a song in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Irish, or Cornish — your pick.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Only if they can find a song that has something going on for itself beside the language. Language should not be the main criteria. I’d love for the Netherlands to send a good song in Frisian but artists that make good songs in frisian that would not be considered a joke act do not exist.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

There are serious artists who make good music in British languages other than English, and in Irish too, of course.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Why Irish? That’s unlikely. Yes, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, but unionist hate the Irish language and for years refused to even recognize it. Anybody who speaks Irish there would likely much rather represent Ireland.

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Hûnekop would be funny.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

I agree I don’t think the rest of the country could appreciate it though xD

Dennis Kinghorn
Dennis Kinghorn
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Let’s not forget Manx

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

The Isle of Man is not a part of the UK.

Escfan
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

But why would the UK send a song in Irish?

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Escfan

Because Northern Ireland is a constituent country of the UK.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Makes the Jack In The Box saga back in 1971 sound like the Teddy Bears’ Picnic (not that sort of bears).

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Yes, where the Irish language has been stamped out as hard as possible. Obliterated by law.