With the grand final of Georgian Idol on New Year’s Eve, Georgia finally decided on their Eurovision 2020 singer. Tornike Kipiani won the contest and booked a spot at Eurovision this May.
Tornike’s victory unleashed a flood of feedback in Georgia and beyond. Amid all the applause one voice really stood out: that of Georgian-Greek superstar and Eurovision 2019 alum Tamta. The “Replay” hitmaker — who sang for Cyprus in Tel Aviv — has a strong connection to Tornike, as she served as his mentor during the 2014 edition of X Factor Georgia.
Tamta posted some throwback snaps of her with her mentee on Instagram, along with a very warm caption.
“Back in 2014, I had the pleasure of being his mentor as a judge of the X Factor Georgia! Well….He won it! So didI !”
“I’m just very proud of you Tornike Kipiani and happy to be a small part of your beautiful journey! Good luck Kipo!!!”
????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??????????? ???????????? ????????? ?? ?????????? ???????? 2020 ???? ???????????.
Posted by Eurovision Georgian fans on Friday, January 3, 2020
Meet Georgia’s Eurovision 2020 singer Tornike Kipiani
Tornike is a 32-year-old musician and the father of three children. He entered Georgian Idol after previously winning the 2014 edition of X Factor Georgia.
He’s got a real passion for Eurovision: Tornike previously tried to represent Georgia at Eurovision in 2017. He competed in Georgia’s national final with the industrial techno song “You Are My Sunshine”. You never know what you’re gonna get with this experimental artist.
When I chatted with him just moments after his win earlier this week, he seemed at a loss for words. “That’s great,” he said on stage inside the Tbilisi Concert Hall. “I have some ideas [for the song] and we will work,” he said of the internal selection that will choose his song. “I hope it will be a great song and all the people will like it.”
Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Georgia has enjoyed mixed fortunes at Eurovision in recent years. The decade started well, with Sofia Nizharadze and Eldrine each placing ninth in 2010 and 2011.
In the years since, however, Georgia has switched between non-qualifications and grand final placings on the right-hand side of the scoreboard. One exception was 2015, where the fierce Nina Sublatti placed 11th with her oximated electro-pop anthem “Warrior”.
More recently, Georgia has not qualified for the final over the past three years. Tamara Gachechiladze narrowly missed out on qualifying from an 11th-place semi-final finish, while 2018 act — the Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao — finished last in their semi-final.
Georgian Idol 2018 winner Oto Nemsadze also failed to qualify last year in Tel Aviv, so fans will be hoping that their new Idol will have better luck in Rotterdam.
What sort of song should Tornike perform in Rotterdam? Let us know in the comments below.
I can imagine both Tamar Kakalashvili (the runner-up) and Elvana of Albania, having a glass of wine and laughing their as*es out loud while watching the Eurovision Semifinals, with Tornike and Arilena not passing into the final. Now that would be amazing, and quite probable (karma) 😀
She won’t be that proud of him when he’ll fail to qualify.
I love Tamta, i adore Georgia, beautiful country, amazing people with big hearts, divine food and culture, good luck on Eurovision !
send my sincere greetings from Ukraine:))
Amazing Tamta <3
He is so kind in interview
Fingers crossed. Cant wait to listen his song.
Go Georgia!
He has amazing voice.
Go Kipo!
he would be lucky to get a place near tamtas result.
I wouldn’t call 32 points from the televotes a success.
13th place overall it is 😉
People are being pessimistic about Tornike but if he has a song that plays to his strengths Georgia could be onto something.
I don’t want Georgia writing a song that they think will work at Eurovision. They’re one of my favourite countries because the songs sound authentic and original. Get Tornike involved and put forward a song that he is happy with and I’m sure that I’ll love it, too!
Good luck
He looks so kind
You are amazing Tornike <3
He will rock! omg!
Can’t wait to listen his song
I am just curious: Tamta speaks fluent Georgian?
yeah I mean she lived there till her age of 18 or something
Yes she speaks like normal georgian
Apparently, he said that he wants to participate with a dance/pop song, which would be a totally new direction for Georgia and affect them possibly in a positive way.
Btw, Tornike looks quite good with long hair, so if I was him, I would nurture my hair, cause it makes him more attractive!!
Overall I have a good feeling about Georgia this year.. I think and hope that Tornike will surprise everyone in a positive way!!
Really? I can’t see him singing a dance song lol, more rock or indie pop.
Jesus it was joke , how can you imagine tornike with dance pop omg
Georgia was always true to itself, never cared about “what might work”. It really deserves to win, or a good result at least.