Last week Hooverphonic surprised their global fan base by announcing that Geike Arnaert was returning to the group and replacing Luka Cruysberghs. Almost immediately, broadcaster VRT confirmed that Geike would join Alex Callier and Raymond Geerts at Eurovision 2021.
Well now Luka has explained a bit more about the news. Speaking on Belgian radio, she said she was told she had to leave the band during a Zoom call.
“Because of Corona there was no physical meeting,” she said during her spot on Click like on MNM. “It was a bit of a shock, but I understand. The past few days were a bit overwhelming…In the meantime, I have been able to give it a place.”
The 19-year-old singer also shared her parents’ reaction to this unexpected news. “My parents are sorry, but they are also happy that I am going my own way,” she said. “They are curious about how I am going to perform and my own style.”
Luka is determined to continue as a solo artist. She has the option to release a single with Hooverphonic’s record label Universal.
“Now we are going to write songs with as many different people as possible, so we have a lot of choices. We will then choose the best single. It will be busy in the coming weeks.” When asked how this music will sound, Luka responds soberly: “Just like Luka — I can’t say much more about it yet.”
After the unexpected news about Luka’s departure last week, the singer responded almost immediately on Instagram, making it clear she’s ready to embrace the future.
“After 3 years with Hooverphonic, it’s time to go my own way. I am very gratefull for all the chances, lots of tours, amazing experiences and memories ive got. I wish @hooverphonicoff and @geike_official all the best. Stay tuned for my next steps!
RU YOU READY FOR ME?
@universalmusicbelgium”
View this post on Instagram
What do you think about Luka’s departure? Are you looking forward to her solo releases? Let us know in the comment section down below!
In the comment section under the previous article on this situation, there was Luka’s relative saying that Zoom call happened just one hour before the official announcement on social media. Meaning the photoset, the promotional video and the song’s re-recording was done all before that. I think these are important details. Maybe the most important ones for understanding why all this situation doesn’t sit right. He was rushed enough to make the decision to give up on Luka the next second he spoke to Geike, but not enough to announce it to her beforehand so she wasn’t so shocked? He… Read more »
It really seems like so many people don’t even read the articles anymore. She said she was shocked, but she also said that she and her parents are happy that she can go her own way now. So what is the big deal? All parties want this. On the fact that she is not going to eurovision, I feel like because of the succes the band has and has had, eurovision is probably going to be a little less important for them than for a less experienced artist. That is the reason why it really wouldn’t make sense for them… Read more »
The fans are outraged by something that happens all the time with musical groups. They just want a villain and they’ll judge anyone about the slightest thing.
It’s disgusting. Regardless of the song they put out I will not be supporting my country next May, that’s for sure.
I even hope they don’t go to the final.
I am absolutely repulsed.
These men denied to do a group song in the Europe shine a light, we already had a clue that they are toxic
I wish her all my luck. Seems kind of like a shoddy way to drop her, but I feel like she’d be better off without a group that was so flaky on her
Not a good start for Eurovision. They just offended her followers.
This is certainly poor form on Alex and Raymond’s part, but I wonder if more fans would defend them if they looked like Mans and Sergey…we seem to bring up their looks a lot?
Anyway, at least Luka can do her own thing and become a success in her own right.
Literally not a single person in this comment section has talked about their looks.
People have in the comment sections of other Hooverphonic related articles.
Well no one cared about Mans’ homophobic comments (and his poor attempt at saying “Oh yeah my bad, I would date a guy” two days before the contest), so I guess the vast majority of people won’t care either about a lineup change that seems to be welcomed by literally all parties involved.
Well, this is pure bs, and honestly appalling. I hope Luka gets selected for Belgium in the next few years so that she has her chance to go to Eurovision, and I hope she has a successful career away from Alex and Raymond.
I just don’t understand the attitude of those commenters who are defending Hooverphonic over this.
Luka is 19 years old and regardless of her situation with the band, Eurovision was a HUGE opportunity for her. She missed out on this opportunity in 2020 due to the virus but unlike in some other countries where the broadcaster has discarded their artist for 2021, she has had her opportunity taken away from her by HER OWN BAND, people that previously, she was going to compete alongside.
The more I hear about hooverphonic, the more difficult it becomes for me to support them.
Wow, pardon my language, but this band seems like a bunch of a$$holes
i love that Luka still can talk about it with calm and isn’t mad or something.
i would be
Luka, you will rise like a phoenix.
First they don’t take part in Europe Shine A Light and now they do this. I don’t think they deserve to qualify because they clearly don’t care much about the contest or their own band members.
Sorry, but I don’t know how I should support such an act at Eurovision. I’m not even excited for their entry anymore. I honestly feel sorry for Belgium, but no, it won’t work for me this year..
Old Belgian eurofans are celebrating this because they love Geike but I only feel my disgust for this group grow more and more.
Not great, but there’s no good way to say these things. In-person meetings are not possible right now anyway because of the healthcare restrictions, but would it have been better received even if it had been shared in person? I don’t think so.
It’s like people complaining of being dumped or laid off by text/phone call/email: I don’t think they’re upset about the medium, but mostly about the message which is the same regardless.
All the best to her!
Oh my, I hadn’t read the comments yet… Not sure why people are so angry (again) when she seems to take it very well herself.
so true…they are actully more offended than luka! judging by her reactions, i assume luka herself WANTED a solo carrer
It’s not that that’s the problem. It’s the fact she was dumped so suddenly just before the band participates in something she’s dreamed of.
Welcome to the entertainment industry.
um…relax a bit! the fact that she claims it, doesn’t mean that it’s true..
As if we don’t know Alex’s behaviour..
Do you know him, personally?
I don’t see this as a problem, they were going to fire her and considering the corona virus situation this was a good way to do it.
What a shame. Letting go of someone over Zoom is maybe mildly less cold than letting them go over the phone, but still.
(And for what it’s worth, I agree more with what Agumon and just an esc fan are saying above – I think Luka was getting ready to move on anyway, and you could already tell her vibe was different from the rest of the group. Doesn’t make it much better, but she seems to be taking it on the chin.)
Never understood the hype about them. And their attitude is trash.
This just proves Hooverphonic is a heartless band. No wonder all they do is to make Eurovision fans upset.
You’re upset over nothing
this is such a shameful situation for the band, I wish Luka all the best and hope she will come back to represent Belgium in future
She will slay as solo artist and will return in 2022. Such a beautiful voice
She wouldn’t -2022 is a Wallonia year.
2023 then.
2021 is a Wallonia year and they’ve chosen Hooverphonic
No Wallonia gave 2021 to Flanders so 2022 is Wallonia
So sorry for her! I hope that a great career is waiting for her and I really hope that one day we will see her at the ESC stage.