S10 prefers the small theaters in Paris and Berlin

Today we had the opportunity to talk to Stien den Hollander. You know her better as S10, the Dutch candidate for the festival in Turin. “We’ve been keeping an eye on it from the start, of course, and we really just wanted to see all of your faces too,” S10 explains why she’s so curious about the fan media.

Not a lot of choreogrography

The conversation soon came to the rehearsals: “Of course there are some problems with the sun, I think everyone suffers from that. So do we, but not too much because our act was also quite intimate and small.”, says S10 light-hearted. “We’ve actually built the show in a way that I’m very free in where I look and stand,” the singer explains about the act. “So there’s not a lot of choreography in terms of looking. When the camera is very close to me, I look into it and that feels nice to me. Then I enclose myself completely and I actually do things for the people at home. Not like Now I have to look here and oh yes, now I have to look there, that would really be a bit too much for me.”

I couldn’t wait

“I also saw the stand-in rehearsal”, the singer said, “That was crazy. They pick out someone who looks a bit like you, so it was a blonde girl too, but she was pretty sultry and pretty sexy. She had quite a sexy interpretation of “De diepte”, which I really liked, because it was something different. It was good to see because then you really see: oh yes, we made this and now she is performing it there.”

“I wasn’t nervous at all for the first rehearsal. It was also nice because it was still quite private. It just felt really good. The very first rehearsal went really well for me. We could just really do some stuff. I am of course completely in my own focus. I look into the camera and i don’t see what’s happening behind me. We had the first rehearsal on Saturday and the second rehearsal on Wednesday and I couldn’t wait for Wednesday. I really wanted to get on that stage again.”

Small theaters

S10 also looked ahead, because she possibly can end up high in the contest. So, what would be next? “It is quite difficult to estimate that. Thinking: the higher you finish, the bigger your career i think can be or become abroad. I would like, if I finish high, for example to do a tour through Europe end of this year, but especially the small theaters in Paris or Berlin, for example, a bit underground. I wouldn’t fly to LA to sign a contract there.”

Music first and rock and roll never dies

And who does she think, will win? “If there is someone I would really like to see win, it is Sam Ryder. I just think he is so nice and so sympathetic and such an appearance. Still find it quite difficult to place all Eurovision candidates in a sort of ranking. I feel like there were about five artists last year who we thought: yes, they can all win. I think i can really see Sam Ryder winning.”
And if S10 would win herself, what would she say? “I still don’t really have a plan for that. Maybe I’ll just say ‘Music first’ and ‘Rock and roll never dies’, just a copy of the other artists who won.”

 

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Greece

Road to Vienna: Greece. We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Greece. Akylas: Emerging Greek Pop Artist Making Waves Akylas Mytilinaios, known as Akylas, is a fast-rising Greek pop artist from Serres. Born in 1999, he transformed a challenging upbringing into creative motivation. He developed his sound through formal training at the Music School of Serres and early theater experience. He later gained international stage experience as a cruise ship singer, performing across multiple regions. This helped him refine both his voice and stage confidence. In 2021, he reached a wider audience on The Voice of Greece. Although he didn’t win, the show significantly boosted his visibility in the Greek music scene. Building a strong online presence, Akylas gained momentum through TikTok, where his viral cover songs attracted thousands of fans. His debut track “Fthinókrasso” introduced his storytelling style. The real breakthrough came in 2024 with the indie-pop hit “Atelier,” produced with Papazó. Ferto: A Bold Take on Ambition and Modern Luxury Culture Akylas’s track Ferto explores ambition, excess, and the constant drive for success. Drawing inspiration from pop and hip-hop, the song highlights wealth, luxury, and visibility as modern symbols of achievement. At its core, Ferto focuses on materialism and status. It celebrates success and indulgence while revealing a deeper truth—the endless desire for more. This contrast exposes the tension between outward confidence and the emptiness linked to overconsumption. Ultimately, the track captures the dual nature of ambition. It feels both empowering and, at times, unfulfilling. Through this lens, Ferto delivers a sharp and relevant commentary on how identity and success are shaped in today’s image-driven, material world. Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 44 times since its debut in 1974. The country achieved its sole victory in 2005 with Helena Paparizou‘s “My Number One.” In recent years, Greece has experienced varying results, with a notable return to the final in 2024 when Marina Satti’s “Zari” placed 11th, and a 6th place last year in Basel, with Asteromata, performed by Klavdia The Bookmakers Akylas Mytilinaios’ Ferto climbs to 5th place  in the bookmakers’ ranking. Could this rising Greek pop star be heading for the win?   

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Greece

Road to Vienna: Greece. We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Greece. Akylas: Emerging Greek Pop Artist Making Waves Akylas Mytilinaios, known as Akylas, is a fast-rising Greek pop artist from Serres. Born in 1999, he transformed a challenging upbringing into creative motivation. He developed his sound through formal training at the Music School of Serres and early theater experience. He later gained international stage experience as a cruise ship singer, performing across multiple regions. This helped him refine both his voice and stage confidence. In 2021, he reached a wider audience on The Voice of Greece. Although he didn’t win, the show significantly boosted his visibility in the Greek music scene. Building a strong online presence, Akylas gained momentum through TikTok, where his viral cover songs attracted thousands of fans. His debut track “Fthinókrasso” introduced his storytelling style. The real breakthrough came in 2024 with the indie-pop hit “Atelier,” produced with Papazó. Ferto: A Bold Take on Ambition and Modern Luxury Culture Akylas’s track Ferto explores ambition, excess, and the constant drive for success. Drawing inspiration from pop and hip-hop, the song highlights wealth, luxury, and visibility as modern symbols of achievement. At its core, Ferto focuses on materialism and status. It celebrates success and indulgence while revealing a deeper truth—the endless desire for more. This contrast exposes the tension between outward confidence and the emptiness linked to overconsumption. Ultimately, the track captures the dual nature of ambition. It feels both empowering and, at times, unfulfilling. Through this lens, Ferto delivers a sharp and relevant commentary on how identity and success are shaped in today’s image-driven, material world. Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 44 times since its debut in 1974. The country achieved its sole victory in 2005 with Helena Paparizou‘s “My Number One.” In recent years, Greece has experienced varying results, with a notable return to the final in 2024 when Marina Satti’s “Zari” placed 11th, and a 6th place last year in Basel, with Asteromata, performed by Klavdia The Bookmakers Akylas Mytilinaios’ Ferto climbs to 5th place  in the bookmakers’ ranking. Could this rising Greek pop star be heading for the win?   

Read More »
Follow Us: