2022

Ochman

©EBU About Quick Facts NameKrystian Jan Ochman Born19 july 1999 Nationality Polish🇺🇸 American National SelectionTu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hit na Eurowizję! 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin SongRiver (2022) Biography Krystian Jan Ochman is an American-Polish singer and composer who combines the sound of classical singing with entertainment repertoire. He was born in Melrose, Massachusetts and grew up near Washington. In the last year of high school, he started singing and played the role of a prince in the school musical “Cinderella”. At the age of 18 he returned to Poland and started studies at the Academy of Music in Katowice in the class of classical vocal music. In 2020, Ochman took part in auditions for the 11th edition of the talent show The Voice of Poland. Having joined the team of Michał Szpak, he successfully passed the next stages of the competition and finally reached the final, where he gained the greatest support from viewers. After the final, he released his debut single, “Światłocienie”. In the following months, he released the singles “Wielkie tytuły”, “Wspomnienie” and “Ten sam ja”. In September 2021 he received the Audience Award in the concert “Premiery” at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole, in which he performed the song “Prometheusz”. In November of the same year, he released his debut album, simply “Ochman”. On February 19, 2022, he was chosen to represent Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “River”. Entries River Country Poland Year2022 LanguageEnglish LyricsAshley HicklinKrystian Ochman MusicAshley HicklinKrystian OchmanAdam WiśniewskiMikołaj Maciej Trybulec BackingsJulia AdamczykKateryna NesterovaMartyna PrzybyłowskaPaulina Przestrzelska Results Semi Points: 198Position: 6Running order: 14 Results Finals Points: 151Position: 12Running order: 23 https://youtu.be/jRVDZ6446eM

Chanel

© EBU, Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameChanel Terrero Martinez Born28 july 1991 Nationality Spanish National SelectionBenidorm Fest 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin SongSloMo (2022) Biography Chanel Terrero, also known as Chanel, is a Spanish actress, singer and dancer. Chanel was born in Havannah. At the age of three her family moved to Spain, settling in Olesa de Montserrat (Barcelona). From the age of nine, she received singing and acting classes, and ballet classes according to the Royal Academy system. In 2010 Chanel moved to Madrid to start her acting career. She became known throughout the 2010s participating in different musicals, highlighting some well-known ones such as “Mamma Mia!”, “Flashdance”, “The Bodyguard” and “The Lion King”. Her career knows numerous performances on the small and big screen nationally and internationally. In 2015 she participated in “El rey de La Habana” by Agustí Villaronga. As a dancer she has collaborated with different artists. In 2010, she danced with Shakira at the singer’s performance at the MTV Europe Music Awards. She was part of the dance corps of the program “Your face sounds to me” on Antena 3. She appeared at the castings for the musical West Side Story in Spain, being among the three finalists for the character of Anita. She was also among the five finalists for the same character in the new film version of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg. , for which she went to New York. She participated in the Benidorm Fest 2022, the Spanish final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “SloMo”. She managed to win the contest and thus represented Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest. She became third. Entries SloMo Country Spain Year2022 Language English, Spanish LyricsIberê FortesLeroy SánchezMaggie Szabo MusicArjen ThonenIberê FortesKeith HarrisLeroy SánchezMaggie Szabo DancersPol SotoExon NarcosMaría PérezJosh HuertaRaquel Caurín Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 459Position: 3Running order: 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSQYTt4xg3I

Cornelia Jakobs

©EBU/Nathan Reinds About Quick Facts NameAnna Cornelia Jakobsdotter Samuelsson Born9 march 1992 Nationality Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2011, 2012, 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin SongHold me closer (2022) Biography Cornelia Jakobs is a Swedish singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of Jakob Samuel, singer of the Swedish rock band The Poodles. Cornelia grew up in Stockholm and attended the music high school Rytmus musikgymnasium.At the age of 16 she took part in the Swedish talent show Idol (Pop Idol) in 2008, but did not get past the first round. While in high school, she became a member of the band Love Generation. The band was formed in 2010 on the initiative of music producer RedOne. Samuelsson was accepted into the group after another member dropped out. The group took part in Melodifestivalen 2011 and Melodifestivalen 2012,the Swedish preselectionfor the Eurovision Song Contest. Her debut single as a solo artist was the song “Late Night Stories”, released in January 2018. As a songwriter, she was involved in the song “Best of Me”, with which Efraim Leo took part in Melodifestivalen 2021. With her song Hold Me Closer she won Melodifestivalen 2022 and thus represented Sweden in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. Entries Hold me closer Country Sweden Year2022 LanguageEnglish LyricsCornelia JakobsDavid ZandénIsa Molin MusicCornelia JakobsDavid ZandénIsa Molin Backings– Results Semi Points: 396Position: 1Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 438Position: 4Running order: 20 https://youtu.be/i777psA2gP4

Sam Ryder

© EBU About Quick Facts NameSam Ryder Robinson Born25 june 1989 Nationality British National SelectionInternal selection In Eurovision2022 SongSpaceman (2022) Biography Sam Ryder is an English singer, songwriter and social media personality. Ryder was born in Essex, England. He made his debut as a singer in the band The Morning After, which he co-founded. In 2010, he became a member, and later the leadsinger, of the band Blessed By A Broken Heart. The band split up in 2013. With the American rock band Close Your Eyes he released an album. In 2016, Ryder decided to start a solo career. He recorded an album in Nashville with producer Bryan Wilson. However, the album was never released. Ryder went to Hawaii, running a vegan café there. His real breakthrough came when, due to COVID-19, there was a lockdown. In this first lockdown Ryder started to post covers of songs on TikTok. That cought the attention of artists like Justin Bieber, Sia, Elton John and Alicia Keys. He became the most-followed artist from the UK on TikTok. It resulted in a record contract. An EP, “The sun’s gonna Rise” was released, followed by a tour. “The sun’s gonna rise” was streamed no less than a 100 million times. Sam Ryder was chosen by the BBC to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest of 2022. He became 2nd in the contest. Entries Spaceman Country United Kingdom Year2022 LanguageEnglish LyricsSam RyderAmy WadgeMax Wolfgang MusicSam RyderAmy WadgeMax Wolfgang BackingsJay VermaAdam WadeLewie Allan Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 466Position: 2Running order: 22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ0hqX_92zI

Kalush Orchestra

©EBU About Quick Facts MembersIhor DidenchukOleh PsiukTymofii MuzychukVitalii DuzhykOleksandr SlobodianykVlad Kurochka Established2019 Nationality Ukrainian National SelectionVidbir 2022 In Eurovision2022 SongStefania (2022) Biography Kalush is a Ukrainian rap band founded in 2019. The band was named after Kalush, soloist and founder of the group Oleg Psyuk’s hometown. The band’s first music video for the song “Ne marynuy” was released on their official YouTube channel on October 17, 2019. The video was shot on the streets of Kalush. After the release of the second music video “Ty honysh” in November 2019, the band Kalush signed a cooperation agreement with the American hip-hop label Def Jam, which is part of the Universal Music Group. On December 9, 2019, a video for the song “Hory” was released. In 12 days, the video garnered 1.2 million views on YouTube. In 2021, the band’s debut album, “Hotin”, was released. On July 23 of that year, Kalush and rapper Skofka released their second album, “Yo-yo”. In 2021 a parallel project was started – KALUSH Orchestra. Unlike the main band, this band will focus on rap with folk motifs and Ukrainian authenticity. Both groups have common members. Multi-instrumentalists Tymofiy Muzychuk and Vitaliy Duzhyk joined Oleg Psyuk (vocals, lyrics) Kilimmen (DJ) and Johnny Divny. Another musician, Igor Didenchuk, has played in Kalush from the beginning and went on to focus on the Kalush Orchestra. Kalush Orchestra competed in Vidbir, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Stefanai”. IThe band took a second place. However, the band got a chance to represent the country in the competition due to the disqualification of the winner of the final – Alina Pash. At the moment when Russia invaded Ukraine, the band became the hot favourite to win the contest. They won the contest with a landslide. Entries Stefania Country Ukraine Year2022 LanguageUkrainian LyricsIvan KlimenkoOleh Psiuk MusicIhor DidenchukTymofii MuzychukVitalii Duzhyk Backings– Results Semi Points: 337Position: 1Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 631Position: 1Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/F1fl60ypdLs

Our prediction for the 2nd semifinal

Two days ago we made a prediction for the first semi-final. Okay, no Albania and Latvia, but Moldova and Iceland instead. But don’t forget: we got no less than eight countries right! That’s why we’re taking the risk for another prediction tonight, this time for the second semifinal. We think that these are the countries that will advance to the final tomorrow: Finland: Who doesn’t know The Rasmus? These rockers have a huge fan base all over Europe. They will vote en masse. Finland makes it to the final. Serbia: The bookmakers are even predicting that Serbia will finish in the top-10. The act with washing hands will be appreciated by enough people for a place in the final. Unfortunately, Britain’s Prince Harry lives in the US. He would definitely vote for this song that mentions his wife. Azerbaijan: This country almost always makes it to the final according to a fixed recipe: a foreign team writes a song. A strong act is built around it. A guarantee for success! Australia: This song is one you either love or hate. There are plenty of people who really appreciate the act with the mask and feathers. The message also gets across. Sheldon is also a very good singer. Cyprus: A surprising song in Greek. Cyprus is not necessarily high on all lists, but it is just such a number that still gets enough appreciation to reach the final tomorrow evening. Estonia: This song makes people happy. And if there’s one thing we need right now, it’s hope, and what’s this song about….? Stefan will be in the final on Saturday. Romania: Spain votes in this semi-final and that helps, but in the meantime WRS also puts on a slick show. We think there is a good chance that it will be a final place. Poland: This is one of two entries on which our entire team is unanimous: Poland goes to the final with the rock-solid, well-sung ballad. Welcome back in the final, Poland! Belgium: The Belgian gospel song is one of a kind, well sung and therefore stands out in a positive way. Although the Belgians themselves seem to have doubts, we are convinced of a place in the final for Jérémie Makiese. Sweden: If Sweden doesn’t go to the final, nobody will. Even when everything went wrong, Cornelia Jacobs remained professional. The bookmakers are still predicting a very high position. But are we right? We’ll know in about 24 hours!

And this is what we know about the following order

Tonight, during the winners’ press conference, every artist had to draw a ballot for the final. Will they perform in the 1st or in the 2nd half? Last week, the Big 5 already had their draw. However, there is one exception. The organizing country, in this case Italy, had already drawn for the 9th place on an earlier stage. As you notice, most of the countries drew a place in the first half. That means, next Thursday there will be a lot of places available in the 2nd half. 1st half: Armenia France Germany Italy (9th place) Norway Portugal Spain Switzerland The Netherlands Ukraine 2nd half: Iceland Lithuania Moldova United Kingdom

Sietse Bakker: no plan in case Ukraine wins

The EBU has no plan yet, in case Ukraine wins the Eurovision Song Contest. Normally, the country with a high winning probability is already preparing for the organization of the next festival. Because of the war in Ukraine, it is by no means certain that this country will also be able to take on the organization in case they actually win. That is what Sietse Bakker, member of the EBU reference group, says to Dutch news agency ANP. “That might be a bit premature. After all, the competition has only just begun” says Bakker. “I do think it is important that the Reference Group comes together very quickly if Ukraine wins and thinks about what the ‘point of no return’ is: at what moment you can still decide whether or not it is possible in Kiev” , Baker explains. According to him, organizing the Eurovision Song Contest can easily take a year. “It doesn’t look good at the moment. It is still a dangerous situation. And it is highly uncertain how that will develop in the coming period.” There are several options if the winning country cannot organize the contest. “What EBU could do is go to a country that recently organized it. After all, the country can act quickly. Or one can say: we are going to a country that recently organized the Junior Song Contest, for example Poland. They did very well and they also have the ambition to organise Eurovision. The third option is to go to one of the Big Five countries.” Since 1981, the winning country has always organized the Eurovision Song Contest. Even when Ireland won three consecutive times, they always took on the organization. In 1980 the Netherlands organized the contest. The previous year’s winner, Israel, won twice in a row and was unable to cope financially. It is, of course, a bit early to speculate on this. Ukraine hasn’t won yet. However, the chances of that happening are high. In recent years, the number 1 has always won at the bookmakers. The last time that didn’t happen was in 2016. Russia was the number 1 at the bookmakers that year. Who did win in 2016? Ukraine… source: AD

Our predictions for the first semifinal

Tomorrow, the moment is there. We will have the first semifinal for the Eurovision Song Contest. What does the team of Eurovision Universe think? You will read it here. In fact, we are convinced of a final place for these countries: Albania, after all the fuzz around the act. Song and act are strong, Rona will qualify! Latvia: A song about veggies and (….). Cheerful, colourful and with a very modern topic. Lithuania: The act might not be what Monika wished for, but the song will stand out. Switzerland: The swiss song is in the style of Duncan Laurence and Gjon’s Tears, but less strong. It’s gonna be hard for Switzerland, but it is possible. Ukraine, because…. it’s Ukraine. The country is the hot favourite to even win the final. The Netherlands, S10 manages to tell the people where she sings about. Even in Dutch! Portugal: You can’t explain “Saudade” in any other language. MARO explains it by music. Not a sure qualifier, but we think it will. Greece; there is no such a song in Eurovision this year. It is unique and the act is strong. Norway, because every year needs an act like this. People vote for yellow masked wolves. Armenia: The song is strong, the singing is strong, the act is strong….. it has written final all over! But of course, we wish all the artists good luck. Tomorrow, by this time, we will know more….

Don’t mess with a flag in North Macedonia

You probably haven’t even noticed, but a small thing during the red carpet event yesterday turned into a lot of hassle in North Macedonia. Because contestant Andrea wanted her hands free for the photo, she threw away the flag of North Macedonia. That caused her a big problem. Last night, the national broadcaster MRT came with a statement, in which the broadcaster called the throwing disrespect to the flag. It would even be a violation of North Macedonian law. MRT seriously considered withdrawing Andrea and thus North Macedonia from the competition: “MRT expects Andrea to apologize to the citizens for such behavior. The public service is considering the possibility of her withdrawal from Eurovision, although care will be taken not to cause more damage to MRT. All legal possibilities for the strictest sanctioning for this scandal will be taken against those responsible in the Macedonian delegation”. It ended well in the end: Andrea apologized on national television. This turned this story into a storm in a teacup. A year before there was also a big fuzz in in the country. Participant Vasil’s video showed three paintings, in the colors of the Bulgarian flag. Besides North Macedonian, Vasil also has Bulgarian ancestors. Nationalist North Macedonians demanded another participant. In the end, the video was taken off the internet and a new version, without the Bulgarian colors, was put online.