Male Artists

Theodor Andrei

About Quick Facts NameTheodor Andrei Born09 October 2004 Nationality🇷🇴 Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongD.G.T. (Off and on) (2023) Biography Theodor Andrei, born in Bucharest in 2004, is a Romanian singer. Theodor’s first success came in 2017, when he took part in Vocea Romaniei Junior (The Voice Kids Romania) and managed to reach the semifinals. Meanwhile, Theodor was performing many covers, which he placed on Youtube. His first original release came on 21 September 2017: “Young and sweet”. It was followed in October 2018 by a song in Romanian, “Și dacă azi zâmbesc”.  Theodor Andrei released many singles, all in Romanian. In 2020, Theodor participated in the X-Factor. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to survive the bootcamp. One year later, he had one of the main roles in the theatre play “Brainstorm”.  On 25 July 2022, Theodor released the single “Ţigări mentolate”, for which he teamed up with Valentina. On 15 October of the same year, his debut album “Fragil” was released. On 11 February, 2023, Theodor was chosen to represent Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “D.G.T. (Off and on)”. With the song, he unfortunately did not reach the final of the contest. Entries D.G.T. (Off and on) Country🇷🇴 Romania Year2023 LanguageEnglishRomanian LyricsTheodor AndreiMikail JahedLuca de MezzoLuca Udățeanu MusicTheodor AndreiMikail Jahed DancersDiana Colea Results Semi Points: 0Position: 15Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Bf3iPXU1RYU

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Reiley

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameRani Petersen Born24 November 1997 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionMelodi Grand Prix 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBreaking my heart (2023) Biography Rani Petersen (born in Tórshavn, at the Faroe Islands), known by the stage name Reiley, is a Faroese singer and influencer, currently living in the USA. He first published a song on TikTok in 2019. His TikTok range soon rose to over 10 million views worldwide.   On March 26, 2021, Reiley released his first single “Let it ring”. It was followed in September of the same year by the song “Superman”, a ballad. He also released an EP, “BRB, having an identity crisis”. On April 15, 2022, a new single and video came out: “Blah blah blah”. He teamed up with the famous K-Pop band AB6IX for the single “Moonlight” in September of that year. On February 11th, 2023, Reiley was chosen to represent Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Breaking my heart”. Unfortunately Reiley didn’t make it to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.  Entries Breaking My Heart Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsBård Mathias BonsaksenHilda StenmalmRani PetersenSivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet MusicBård Mathias BonsaksenHilda StenmalmRani PetersenSivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet Backings– Results Semi Points: 6Position: 14Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/XVZvzZF1JOk

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Remo Forrer

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameRemo Forrer Born2001 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWatergun (2023) Biography Remo Forrer lives in Hemberg, Switzerland. He has been involved with music since childhood; he began flute lessons before devoting himself to playing the accordion. He then began playing the piano and singing. He taught himself to play the piano and learned it purely by ear. He did an apprenticeship as a retail specialist in a sports shop. In 2020 he won the third season of The Voice of Switzerland with his coach Noah Veraguth. On April 17, 2020 he released his winning single Home, which was written by Veraguth. In July 2022 he appeared on the RTL television show Zeig uns deine Stimme!, in which he was introduced as a real estate agent. On February 20, 2023, it was announced that he would represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. His song, “Watergun”, was presented on 7 March. He reached the final with the song and became 20th. Entries Watergun Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsArgyle SinghAshley HicklinMikolaj Tribulec MusicArgyle SinghAshley HicklinMikolaj Tribulec DancersEllinea SiambalisKenny LantzLovisa BengtssonMarco Wihlborg Results Semi Points: 97Position: 7Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 92Position: 20Running order: 3 https://youtu.be/l4NDErv49mk

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Käärijä

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameJere Pöyhönen Born21 October 1993 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongCha-cha-cha (2023) Biography Käärijä (real name Jere Pöyhönen, born October 21, 1993 in Helsinki) is a Finnish rap artist who records for Monsp Records. Käärijä has spent most of his youth in Ruskeasanta, Vantaa. He played hockey for a long time and played the drums. The enthusiasm for making his own music started in 2014. In the beginning, Käärijä’s themes revolved very strongly around gambling, and the same theme is partly present in today’s productions as well. His stage name comes from a joke among friends and refers to winning money, or “rolling” in gambling. Käärijä published music on his own until the end of 2017, when Monsp Records released his first double single “Koppi tules” / “Nou roblem”. The A-side of the single was well received, and Käärijä signed an extension contract with Monsp Records. From the beginning, Aleksi Nurmi has been responsible for the production of Käärijä, who has also produced, for example, the music of Töölö Ketterä, Sonny and Adi L Hasla. In 2023, Käärijä won UMK, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. At the contest itself, he was one of the favourites for the victory. The televoting audience voted him to the first place. In the overall result Käärijä became 2nd. Entries Cha-Cha-Cha Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJere PöyhönenJohannes NaukkarinenAleksi NurmiJukka Sorsa MusicJere PöyhönenJohannes NaukkarinenAleksi NurmiJukka Sorsa BackingsAija Puurtinen DancersMatti MyllyahoKatri MäkinenEtel RöhrJesse Wijnans Results Semi Points: 177Position: 1Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: 526Position: 2Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/l6rS8Dv5g-8

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Marco Mengoni represents Italy

After he won the Festival Di Sanremo yesterday, Marco Mengoni confirmed today that he will go to Eurovision. He confirmed that during the winners press conference this afternoon. The signs that he would do the job were already there. Yesterday, he said in a BBC-interview that he would like to go. Marco Mengoni will sing the song “Due vite” in Liverpool. The song is written by Marco himself with Davide Pretella and Davide Simonetta. Italy is placed directly for the final.

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Victor Vernicos

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameVictor Vernicos Jørgensen Born24 October 2006 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWhat they say (2023) Biography Victor Vernicos Jørgensen is a Greek/Danish singer/songwriter. Already as a child, he started singing. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of the Eurovision winning song “Heroes”. On 25 June 2021, he released his first single, “Hope it’s heaven”.  A year later, in August 2022, Victor released a new single, called “Mean”. In the same year, he had his first solo perfomance on TV in a christmas show. On 30 January 2023, it was announced in the ERT News that Victor was going to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “What they say”. Unfortunately he didn’t manage to make it to the Grand Final in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Entries What They Say Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsVictor Vernicos Jørgensen MusicVictor Vernicos Jørgensen BackingsFanis Bouloukos Results Semi Points: 14Position: 13Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/gJSZA0Zh2xU

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Victor Vernicos to represent Greece

Victor Vernicos announced Victor Vernicos will represent Greece in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. That is what ERT announced today in their main news bulletin. The title of 16-year old Victor’s song is already known too: “What they say”. The full song, written and composed by Victor himself, is not yet published. However, a fragment was already released. Internally chosen Vernicos was internally chosen by a jury, consisting of public and professionals. Out of 106 songs, three were chosen, and now finally “What they say” becomes the entry for the contest in Liverpool. The other finalists were Melissa Mantzoukis with the song “Liar” and rumoured selected duo Antonia Kaouri and Maria Maragkou with “Shout out”. From “Heroes” to “Hope it’s heaven” Victor Vernicos Jørgensen is a 16-year old, half Greek, half Danish singer. He currently has a contract at PANIK Records. Already when he was 4 years old, Victor started to sing. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of Måns Zelmerlöw’s “Heroes”. In 2021 he released his first single, “Hope it’s heaven”.   

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Gustaph

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameStef Caers Born5 July 1980 Nationality🇧🇪 Belgian National SelectionEurosong 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBecause of You (2023) Biography Stef Caers, born in Leuven in 1980, is a Belgian singer, musician, producer and singing teacher.He initially performed under the stage name Steffen and later as Gustaph. Caers followed secondary education at the Academie voor Muziek-Woord-Dans in Heist-op-den-Berg. He graduated as a producer at the music conservatory of Ghent. At the age of nineteen, still during his studies, he scored a hit in 2000 as Steffen with the song “Gonna Lose You”, which reached 22nd place in the Flemish Ultratop 50. Caers won a prize at Flemish Radio 2 in the subcategory “The debut” that year with the song. His next single, “Sweetest Thing”, was a more modest success: the song got stuck in the charts. Caers later noted that his songs like Steffen, which he wrote as a sixteen-year-old, are not entirely in line with his style. The music world made it clear to him that he should keep his homosexuality a secret so as not to undermine his popularity. It therefore remained with these singles under that name. Caers focused more on studio work and writing music. He also made jingles for Radio Donna and Q-music. However, he also remained active on stage, including as a pianist and background singer. With Mo Harcum, Sofie Verbruggen and Sandrine Van Handenhoven he paid homage to Marvin Gaye. With the latter two, he paid homage to Ella Fitzgerald in the 2021-2022 theater season, together with the VRT Bigband. He has been performing solo since 2008 under the name Gustaph. Four years later, under that name, he began singing and writing for Hercules & Love Affair, a group best known in the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, he performed at Pukkelpop, Glastonbury and Chanel shows, among others. Caers left the group in 2018. Caers is also a teacher at Hogeschool Gent within the jazz / pop course and at the pop and rock music course at Hogeschool PXL. Caers went to the Eurovision Song Contest twice as a backing singer. In 2018 with Sennek and in 2021 at Hooverphonic. He also was a voice coach for Geike Arnaert of Hooverphonic.  In January 2023, he took part in Eurosong, the Flemish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.  Gustaph won Eurosong 2023, which meant that he was chosen as the Belgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. He reached the final there and became 7th.  Entries Because Of You Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJaouad AlloulStef Caers MusicJaouad AlloulStef Caers BackingsMonique HarcumChantal KashalaSandrine van Handenhoven DancersPussCee West Results Semi Points: 90Position: 8Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 182Position: 7Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/U1xD14IMKtg

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Blast from the past: Cyprus 1984

We know a lot about Eurovision; this is knowledge we want to share with you. Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we have a look at 1984, when Andy Paul represented the country with the song “Anna Mari-Elena”. Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Cypriot entry entered the stage in 1981. Although Cyprus never won Eurovision, there were some huge successes. Cyprus was very close to winning back in 2018, when Eleni Foureira reached the 2nd place with her “Fuego”. National selection Official lists of the 1984 Cypriot national final are never published. Whether there was a live broadcast or an internal selection is not known. However, there are live recordings of several songs going on throughout the internet. We were able to distill a list of four songs, involved in the contest: *.”Anna Mari-Elena“, sung by Andy Paul, 1st*.”Htes”, sung by Lia Vissi-Piliouri, 2nd*.”Thimame“, sung by Yiannis Dimitrou, 3rd*.”Triantafila tou mai”, sung by Jimmy Makulis, 4th Jimmy Makulis had previously represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1961. Lia Vissi-Piliouri had to wait one more year; she was the 1985 Cypriot contestant. Yiannis Dimitrou and his song “Thimame” were supposed to represent Cyprus in 1988. The song was disqualified because it already took part in the 1984 national selection. Andy Paul Andy’s real name is Andros Pavlou. In the early 1960’s, he moved to the United Kingdom. As more Greek artists in the United Kingdom do (think about George Michael), Andros took a more English name: Andy Paul. His career as a singer started with performances in a pub, where he took part in a talent contest, he won with an Elvis imitation. It got him a contract at the pub. In 1983, Andy Paul released his first record: “Heartbreak situation”. The song was produced by the famous producers trio Stock, Aitken and Waterman. A year later he was chosen to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song can be found on his 1986 album “Andy Paul”. An international disco hit followed in 1988: “Now that I’ve found you“. He also released an album, “Andy Paul”, in the same year. In 1989 a new album was made. Andy Paul is still performing. He currently sings songs from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, especially on weddings and other parties. Some material can be found on his website. Anna Mari-Elena The song “Anna Mari-Elena” was an uptempo disco song written by Paul himself. At the Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg the song was not a hot favourite to win the contest. Greece, very often supportive for Cyprus (if not always), did not take part. However, there was a country that gave it’s 12 to Cyprus: Yugoslavia. Denmark awarded the song with 10 points, but only Sweden, Ireland (4 points) and France (1 point) had Cyprus in their top-10. The song ended up in a 15th place.    

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After the Eurovision Fame: Johnny Logan

Johnny Logan won the Eurovision Song Contest three times. Twice he did this as a performing artist; in 1980 in The Hague, The Netherlands with “What’s another year” and in 1987 in Brussels, Belgium with “Hold me now”. In 1992 he participated in Malmö, Sweden as a lyricist and composer of “Why me?” (Linda Martin). It earned him the nickname “Mr. Eurovision”.   Early life and career Johnny Logan was born as Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard in Frankston, Victoria (Australia), on May 13, 1954. He was the son of the famous Irish tenor Patrick O’Hagan. When he was three years old, the family moved back to Ireland. Sherrard had a musical childhood in which he learned to play the guitar at a young age. He composed his first songs when he was 13. After high school, he started working as an electrician. He also performed as a musician in clubs. He also starred in several musicals. Together with his brother Michael he was part of several bands. At the beginning of his professional music career, Sherrard took the stage name Johnny Logan. This name was taken from the main character from the movie Johnny Guitar. He then recorded his first single in 1978: “No, I don’t want to fall in love”. The song wasn’t a hit. In a quest for more success, he decided to register for the Irish national heat for the Eurovision Song Contest of 1979. With the song “Angie ” he finished behind winner Cathal Dunne in third place. Later that year his debut album, “In London” , was released. First Eurovision victory In March 1980, Logan made another attempt to go to the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland. In the Irish heat of that year he performed “What’s another year”, a song by Shay Healy. This time Logan easily won the national competition and was able to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest, on April 19, 1980 in The Hague. He was previously counted among the favorites for the final victory and turned out to be able to meet those expectations. Excluding Morocco and Turkey, he received points from every country and with a total score of 143 points he gave Ireland a Eurovision victory after ten years. “What’s another year” became a big hit in several European countries. In addition to Ireland itself, it also reached the number 1 position in Belgium and the United Kingdom, among others. Nevertheless, Logan failed to maintain his sudden international success. Successive singles flopped and the number of bookings was disappointing, in his own words due to poor management and his own inexperience. As a result, the singer got into financial trouble and also developed an alcohol problem. In 1984, however, Logan had another success as a writer of the song “Terminal 3”, with which Linda Martin finished second on behalf of Ireland at that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. He got the taste of the Eurovision song contest again and continued to write potential entries. For example, his brother Michael (Mike) Sherrard appeared in the Irish heat of 1985 with the song “Hearts” written by Logan, which ended up in last place. Mike (Michael Sherrard) In 1986, his song “If I can change your mind,” was re-performed by Linda Martin, became fourth in the Irish preselection. Second Eurovision victory In an attempt to get his career back on track, and to erase his predicate of one-day fly, Logan himself wanted to return to the Eurovision song contest to try to win the event again. In 1987 he wrote and composed the song “Hold me now”, which he submitted to the Irish national heat of that year. He managed to win the selection again and was thus allowed to represent Ireland again at the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held two months later in Brussels, Belgium. At the Eurovision song contest, where he received a lot of media attention as a former winner, Logan was again considered one of the favorites. The total points score of 172 was ultimately enough for the victory. It meant, after 1970 and 1980, the third Irish Eurovision victory, and the second for Logan personally. He thus became the first (and to date only) performing artist to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice. As with “What’s another year”, Johnny Logan also scored a big hit with “Hold me now” in several European countries. In addition to Ireland himself, he also reached the number 1 position in Flanders. The subsequent single “I’m not in love” was, as well as the released album “Hold me now”, a modest success. Third Eurovision victory After a few years, in which he made an international tour, Logan again occupied himself with the Eurovision Song Contest at the beginning of the nineties. For the 1991 Irish national heat he wrote the song “When do I get over you?” which put his brother Mike in sixth place. A year later he resumed his collaboration with Linda Martin and wrote for her the song “Why me?”, which would become the Irish entry at the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. The song caught on and ensured another victory for Ireland. Logan became the first (and to date only) person to win the Eurovision Song Contest three times.   Later career In the years that followed, Logan continued to write and release music. He became a much sought-after artist at events where the Eurovision Song Contest is central. His popularity stabilized especially in Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Live during ” Het Grote Songfestivalfeest” in Amsterdam in 2019 Logan remained involved in the Eurovision Song Contest in various ways over the years. For example, during the scoring in 2004 he passed on the Irish points and he wrote several songs for preliminary rounds, and he also regularly sat on professional juries during national selections. In both 2007 and 2009, Logan was approached by Irish broadcaster RTÉ to represent Ireland again at the Eurovision Song Contest, but in both cases the talks came to nothing. In 2010

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Theodor Andrei

About Quick Facts NameTheodor Andrei Born09 October 2004 Nationality🇷🇴 Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongD.G.T. (Off and on) (2023) Biography Theodor Andrei, born in Bucharest in 2004, is a Romanian singer. Theodor’s first success came in 2017, when he took part in Vocea Romaniei Junior (The Voice Kids Romania) and managed to reach the semifinals. Meanwhile, Theodor was performing many covers, which he placed on Youtube. His first original release came on 21 September 2017: “Young and sweet”. It was followed in October 2018 by a song in Romanian, “Și dacă azi zâmbesc”.  Theodor Andrei released many singles, all in Romanian. In 2020, Theodor participated in the X-Factor. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to survive the bootcamp. One year later, he had one of the main roles in the theatre play “Brainstorm”.  On 25 July 2022, Theodor released the single “Ţigări mentolate”, for which he teamed up with Valentina. On 15 October of the same year, his debut album “Fragil” was released. On 11 February, 2023, Theodor was chosen to represent Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “D.G.T. (Off and on)”. With the song, he unfortunately did not reach the final of the contest. Entries D.G.T. (Off and on) Country🇷🇴 Romania Year2023 LanguageEnglishRomanian LyricsTheodor AndreiMikail JahedLuca de MezzoLuca Udățeanu MusicTheodor AndreiMikail Jahed DancersDiana Colea Results Semi Points: 0Position: 15Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Bf3iPXU1RYU

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Reiley

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameRani Petersen Born24 November 1997 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionMelodi Grand Prix 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBreaking my heart (2023) Biography Rani Petersen (born in Tórshavn, at the Faroe Islands), known by the stage name Reiley, is a Faroese singer and influencer, currently living in the USA. He first published a song on TikTok in 2019. His TikTok range soon rose to over 10 million views worldwide.   On March 26, 2021, Reiley released his first single “Let it ring”. It was followed in September of the same year by the song “Superman”, a ballad. He also released an EP, “BRB, having an identity crisis”. On April 15, 2022, a new single and video came out: “Blah blah blah”. He teamed up with the famous K-Pop band AB6IX for the single “Moonlight” in September of that year. On February 11th, 2023, Reiley was chosen to represent Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Breaking my heart”. Unfortunately Reiley didn’t make it to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.  Entries Breaking My Heart Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsBård Mathias BonsaksenHilda StenmalmRani PetersenSivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet MusicBård Mathias BonsaksenHilda StenmalmRani PetersenSivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet Backings– Results Semi Points: 6Position: 14Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/XVZvzZF1JOk

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Remo Forrer

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameRemo Forrer Born2001 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWatergun (2023) Biography Remo Forrer lives in Hemberg, Switzerland. He has been involved with music since childhood; he began flute lessons before devoting himself to playing the accordion. He then began playing the piano and singing. He taught himself to play the piano and learned it purely by ear. He did an apprenticeship as a retail specialist in a sports shop. In 2020 he won the third season of The Voice of Switzerland with his coach Noah Veraguth. On April 17, 2020 he released his winning single Home, which was written by Veraguth. In July 2022 he appeared on the RTL television show Zeig uns deine Stimme!, in which he was introduced as a real estate agent. On February 20, 2023, it was announced that he would represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. His song, “Watergun”, was presented on 7 March. He reached the final with the song and became 20th. Entries Watergun Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsArgyle SinghAshley HicklinMikolaj Tribulec MusicArgyle SinghAshley HicklinMikolaj Tribulec DancersEllinea SiambalisKenny LantzLovisa BengtssonMarco Wihlborg Results Semi Points: 97Position: 7Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 92Position: 20Running order: 3 https://youtu.be/l4NDErv49mk

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Käärijä

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameJere Pöyhönen Born21 October 1993 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongCha-cha-cha (2023) Biography Käärijä (real name Jere Pöyhönen, born October 21, 1993 in Helsinki) is a Finnish rap artist who records for Monsp Records. Käärijä has spent most of his youth in Ruskeasanta, Vantaa. He played hockey for a long time and played the drums. The enthusiasm for making his own music started in 2014. In the beginning, Käärijä’s themes revolved very strongly around gambling, and the same theme is partly present in today’s productions as well. His stage name comes from a joke among friends and refers to winning money, or “rolling” in gambling. Käärijä published music on his own until the end of 2017, when Monsp Records released his first double single “Koppi tules” / “Nou roblem”. The A-side of the single was well received, and Käärijä signed an extension contract with Monsp Records. From the beginning, Aleksi Nurmi has been responsible for the production of Käärijä, who has also produced, for example, the music of Töölö Ketterä, Sonny and Adi L Hasla. In 2023, Käärijä won UMK, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. At the contest itself, he was one of the favourites for the victory. The televoting audience voted him to the first place. In the overall result Käärijä became 2nd. Entries Cha-Cha-Cha Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJere PöyhönenJohannes NaukkarinenAleksi NurmiJukka Sorsa MusicJere PöyhönenJohannes NaukkarinenAleksi NurmiJukka Sorsa BackingsAija Puurtinen DancersMatti MyllyahoKatri MäkinenEtel RöhrJesse Wijnans Results Semi Points: 177Position: 1Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: 526Position: 2Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/l6rS8Dv5g-8

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Marco Mengoni represents Italy

After he won the Festival Di Sanremo yesterday, Marco Mengoni confirmed today that he will go to Eurovision. He confirmed that during the winners press conference this afternoon. The signs that he would do the job were already there. Yesterday, he said in a BBC-interview that he would like to go. Marco Mengoni will sing the song “Due vite” in Liverpool. The song is written by Marco himself with Davide Pretella and Davide Simonetta. Italy is placed directly for the final.

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Victor Vernicos

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameVictor Vernicos Jørgensen Born24 October 2006 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWhat they say (2023) Biography Victor Vernicos Jørgensen is a Greek/Danish singer/songwriter. Already as a child, he started singing. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of the Eurovision winning song “Heroes”. On 25 June 2021, he released his first single, “Hope it’s heaven”.  A year later, in August 2022, Victor released a new single, called “Mean”. In the same year, he had his first solo perfomance on TV in a christmas show. On 30 January 2023, it was announced in the ERT News that Victor was going to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “What they say”. Unfortunately he didn’t manage to make it to the Grand Final in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Entries What They Say Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsVictor Vernicos Jørgensen MusicVictor Vernicos Jørgensen BackingsFanis Bouloukos Results Semi Points: 14Position: 13Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/gJSZA0Zh2xU

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Victor Vernicos to represent Greece

Victor Vernicos announced Victor Vernicos will represent Greece in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. That is what ERT announced today in their main news bulletin. The title of 16-year old Victor’s song is already known too: “What they say”. The full song, written and composed by Victor himself, is not yet published. However, a fragment was already released. Internally chosen Vernicos was internally chosen by a jury, consisting of public and professionals. Out of 106 songs, three were chosen, and now finally “What they say” becomes the entry for the contest in Liverpool. The other finalists were Melissa Mantzoukis with the song “Liar” and rumoured selected duo Antonia Kaouri and Maria Maragkou with “Shout out”. From “Heroes” to “Hope it’s heaven” Victor Vernicos Jørgensen is a 16-year old, half Greek, half Danish singer. He currently has a contract at PANIK Records. Already when he was 4 years old, Victor started to sing. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of Måns Zelmerlöw’s “Heroes”. In 2021 he released his first single, “Hope it’s heaven”.   

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Gustaph

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameStef Caers Born5 July 1980 Nationality🇧🇪 Belgian National SelectionEurosong 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBecause of You (2023) Biography Stef Caers, born in Leuven in 1980, is a Belgian singer, musician, producer and singing teacher.He initially performed under the stage name Steffen and later as Gustaph. Caers followed secondary education at the Academie voor Muziek-Woord-Dans in Heist-op-den-Berg. He graduated as a producer at the music conservatory of Ghent. At the age of nineteen, still during his studies, he scored a hit in 2000 as Steffen with the song “Gonna Lose You”, which reached 22nd place in the Flemish Ultratop 50. Caers won a prize at Flemish Radio 2 in the subcategory “The debut” that year with the song. His next single, “Sweetest Thing”, was a more modest success: the song got stuck in the charts. Caers later noted that his songs like Steffen, which he wrote as a sixteen-year-old, are not entirely in line with his style. The music world made it clear to him that he should keep his homosexuality a secret so as not to undermine his popularity. It therefore remained with these singles under that name. Caers focused more on studio work and writing music. He also made jingles for Radio Donna and Q-music. However, he also remained active on stage, including as a pianist and background singer. With Mo Harcum, Sofie Verbruggen and Sandrine Van Handenhoven he paid homage to Marvin Gaye. With the latter two, he paid homage to Ella Fitzgerald in the 2021-2022 theater season, together with the VRT Bigband. He has been performing solo since 2008 under the name Gustaph. Four years later, under that name, he began singing and writing for Hercules & Love Affair, a group best known in the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, he performed at Pukkelpop, Glastonbury and Chanel shows, among others. Caers left the group in 2018. Caers is also a teacher at Hogeschool Gent within the jazz / pop course and at the pop and rock music course at Hogeschool PXL. Caers went to the Eurovision Song Contest twice as a backing singer. In 2018 with Sennek and in 2021 at Hooverphonic. He also was a voice coach for Geike Arnaert of Hooverphonic.  In January 2023, he took part in Eurosong, the Flemish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.  Gustaph won Eurosong 2023, which meant that he was chosen as the Belgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. He reached the final there and became 7th.  Entries Because Of You Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJaouad AlloulStef Caers MusicJaouad AlloulStef Caers BackingsMonique HarcumChantal KashalaSandrine van Handenhoven DancersPussCee West Results Semi Points: 90Position: 8Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 182Position: 7Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/U1xD14IMKtg

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Blast from the past: Cyprus 1984

We know a lot about Eurovision; this is knowledge we want to share with you. Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we have a look at 1984, when Andy Paul represented the country with the song “Anna Mari-Elena”. Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Cypriot entry entered the stage in 1981. Although Cyprus never won Eurovision, there were some huge successes. Cyprus was very close to winning back in 2018, when Eleni Foureira reached the 2nd place with her “Fuego”. National selection Official lists of the 1984 Cypriot national final are never published. Whether there was a live broadcast or an internal selection is not known. However, there are live recordings of several songs going on throughout the internet. We were able to distill a list of four songs, involved in the contest: *.”Anna Mari-Elena“, sung by Andy Paul, 1st*.”Htes”, sung by Lia Vissi-Piliouri, 2nd*.”Thimame“, sung by Yiannis Dimitrou, 3rd*.”Triantafila tou mai”, sung by Jimmy Makulis, 4th Jimmy Makulis had previously represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1961. Lia Vissi-Piliouri had to wait one more year; she was the 1985 Cypriot contestant. Yiannis Dimitrou and his song “Thimame” were supposed to represent Cyprus in 1988. The song was disqualified because it already took part in the 1984 national selection. Andy Paul Andy’s real name is Andros Pavlou. In the early 1960’s, he moved to the United Kingdom. As more Greek artists in the United Kingdom do (think about George Michael), Andros took a more English name: Andy Paul. His career as a singer started with performances in a pub, where he took part in a talent contest, he won with an Elvis imitation. It got him a contract at the pub. In 1983, Andy Paul released his first record: “Heartbreak situation”. The song was produced by the famous producers trio Stock, Aitken and Waterman. A year later he was chosen to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song can be found on his 1986 album “Andy Paul”. An international disco hit followed in 1988: “Now that I’ve found you“. He also released an album, “Andy Paul”, in the same year. In 1989 a new album was made. Andy Paul is still performing. He currently sings songs from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, especially on weddings and other parties. Some material can be found on his website. Anna Mari-Elena The song “Anna Mari-Elena” was an uptempo disco song written by Paul himself. At the Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg the song was not a hot favourite to win the contest. Greece, very often supportive for Cyprus (if not always), did not take part. However, there was a country that gave it’s 12 to Cyprus: Yugoslavia. Denmark awarded the song with 10 points, but only Sweden, Ireland (4 points) and France (1 point) had Cyprus in their top-10. The song ended up in a 15th place.    

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After the Eurovision Fame: Johnny Logan

Johnny Logan won the Eurovision Song Contest three times. Twice he did this as a performing artist; in 1980 in The Hague, The Netherlands with “What’s another year” and in 1987 in Brussels, Belgium with “Hold me now”. In 1992 he participated in Malmö, Sweden as a lyricist and composer of “Why me?” (Linda Martin). It earned him the nickname “Mr. Eurovision”.   Early life and career Johnny Logan was born as Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard in Frankston, Victoria (Australia), on May 13, 1954. He was the son of the famous Irish tenor Patrick O’Hagan. When he was three years old, the family moved back to Ireland. Sherrard had a musical childhood in which he learned to play the guitar at a young age. He composed his first songs when he was 13. After high school, he started working as an electrician. He also performed as a musician in clubs. He also starred in several musicals. Together with his brother Michael he was part of several bands. At the beginning of his professional music career, Sherrard took the stage name Johnny Logan. This name was taken from the main character from the movie Johnny Guitar. He then recorded his first single in 1978: “No, I don’t want to fall in love”. The song wasn’t a hit. In a quest for more success, he decided to register for the Irish national heat for the Eurovision Song Contest of 1979. With the song “Angie ” he finished behind winner Cathal Dunne in third place. Later that year his debut album, “In London” , was released. First Eurovision victory In March 1980, Logan made another attempt to go to the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland. In the Irish heat of that year he performed “What’s another year”, a song by Shay Healy. This time Logan easily won the national competition and was able to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest, on April 19, 1980 in The Hague. He was previously counted among the favorites for the final victory and turned out to be able to meet those expectations. Excluding Morocco and Turkey, he received points from every country and with a total score of 143 points he gave Ireland a Eurovision victory after ten years. “What’s another year” became a big hit in several European countries. In addition to Ireland itself, it also reached the number 1 position in Belgium and the United Kingdom, among others. Nevertheless, Logan failed to maintain his sudden international success. Successive singles flopped and the number of bookings was disappointing, in his own words due to poor management and his own inexperience. As a result, the singer got into financial trouble and also developed an alcohol problem. In 1984, however, Logan had another success as a writer of the song “Terminal 3”, with which Linda Martin finished second on behalf of Ireland at that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. He got the taste of the Eurovision song contest again and continued to write potential entries. For example, his brother Michael (Mike) Sherrard appeared in the Irish heat of 1985 with the song “Hearts” written by Logan, which ended up in last place. Mike (Michael Sherrard) In 1986, his song “If I can change your mind,” was re-performed by Linda Martin, became fourth in the Irish preselection. Second Eurovision victory In an attempt to get his career back on track, and to erase his predicate of one-day fly, Logan himself wanted to return to the Eurovision song contest to try to win the event again. In 1987 he wrote and composed the song “Hold me now”, which he submitted to the Irish national heat of that year. He managed to win the selection again and was thus allowed to represent Ireland again at the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held two months later in Brussels, Belgium. At the Eurovision song contest, where he received a lot of media attention as a former winner, Logan was again considered one of the favorites. The total points score of 172 was ultimately enough for the victory. It meant, after 1970 and 1980, the third Irish Eurovision victory, and the second for Logan personally. He thus became the first (and to date only) performing artist to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice. As with “What’s another year”, Johnny Logan also scored a big hit with “Hold me now” in several European countries. In addition to Ireland himself, he also reached the number 1 position in Flanders. The subsequent single “I’m not in love” was, as well as the released album “Hold me now”, a modest success. Third Eurovision victory After a few years, in which he made an international tour, Logan again occupied himself with the Eurovision Song Contest at the beginning of the nineties. For the 1991 Irish national heat he wrote the song “When do I get over you?” which put his brother Mike in sixth place. A year later he resumed his collaboration with Linda Martin and wrote for her the song “Why me?”, which would become the Irish entry at the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. The song caught on and ensured another victory for Ireland. Logan became the first (and to date only) person to win the Eurovision Song Contest three times.   Later career In the years that followed, Logan continued to write and release music. He became a much sought-after artist at events where the Eurovision Song Contest is central. His popularity stabilized especially in Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Live during ” Het Grote Songfestivalfeest” in Amsterdam in 2019 Logan remained involved in the Eurovision Song Contest in various ways over the years. For example, during the scoring in 2004 he passed on the Irish points and he wrote several songs for preliminary rounds, and he also regularly sat on professional juries during national selections. In both 2007 and 2009, Logan was approached by Irish broadcaster RTÉ to represent Ireland again at the Eurovision Song Contest, but in both cases the talks came to nothing. In 2010

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Theodor Andrei

About Quick Facts NameTheodor Andrei Born09 October 2004 Nationality🇷🇴 Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongD.G.T. (Off and on) (2023) Biography Theodor Andrei, born in Bucharest in 2004, is a Romanian singer. Theodor’s first success came in 2017, when he took part in Vocea Romaniei Junior (The Voice Kids Romania) and managed to reach the semifinals. Meanwhile, Theodor was performing many covers, which he placed on Youtube. His first original release came on 21 September 2017: “Young and sweet”. It was followed in October 2018 by a song in Romanian, “Și dacă azi zâmbesc”.  Theodor Andrei released many singles, all in Romanian. In 2020, Theodor participated in the X-Factor. Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to survive the bootcamp. One year later, he had one of the main roles in the theatre play “Brainstorm”.  On 25 July 2022, Theodor released the single “Ţigări mentolate”, for which he teamed up with Valentina. On 15 October of the same year, his debut album “Fragil” was released. On 11 February, 2023, Theodor was chosen to represent Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “D.G.T. (Off and on)”. With the song, he unfortunately did not reach the final of the contest. Entries D.G.T. (Off and on) Country🇷🇴 Romania Year2023 LanguageEnglishRomanian LyricsTheodor AndreiMikail JahedLuca de MezzoLuca Udățeanu MusicTheodor AndreiMikail Jahed DancersDiana Colea Results Semi Points: 0Position: 15Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Bf3iPXU1RYU

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Reiley

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameRani Petersen Born24 November 1997 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionMelodi Grand Prix 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBreaking my heart (2023) Biography Rani Petersen (born in Tórshavn, at the Faroe Islands), known by the stage name Reiley, is a Faroese singer and influencer, currently living in the USA. He first published a song on TikTok in 2019. His TikTok range soon rose to over 10 million views worldwide.   On March 26, 2021, Reiley released his first single “Let it ring”. It was followed in September of the same year by the song “Superman”, a ballad. He also released an EP, “BRB, having an identity crisis”. On April 15, 2022, a new single and video came out: “Blah blah blah”. He teamed up with the famous K-Pop band AB6IX for the single “Moonlight” in September of that year. On February 11th, 2023, Reiley was chosen to represent Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Breaking my heart”. Unfortunately Reiley didn’t make it to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.  Entries Breaking My Heart Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsBård Mathias BonsaksenHilda StenmalmRani PetersenSivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet MusicBård Mathias BonsaksenHilda StenmalmRani PetersenSivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet Backings– Results Semi Points: 6Position: 14Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/XVZvzZF1JOk

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Remo Forrer

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameRemo Forrer Born2001 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWatergun (2023) Biography Remo Forrer lives in Hemberg, Switzerland. He has been involved with music since childhood; he began flute lessons before devoting himself to playing the accordion. He then began playing the piano and singing. He taught himself to play the piano and learned it purely by ear. He did an apprenticeship as a retail specialist in a sports shop. In 2020 he won the third season of The Voice of Switzerland with his coach Noah Veraguth. On April 17, 2020 he released his winning single Home, which was written by Veraguth. In July 2022 he appeared on the RTL television show Zeig uns deine Stimme!, in which he was introduced as a real estate agent. On February 20, 2023, it was announced that he would represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. His song, “Watergun”, was presented on 7 March. He reached the final with the song and became 20th. Entries Watergun Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsArgyle SinghAshley HicklinMikolaj Tribulec MusicArgyle SinghAshley HicklinMikolaj Tribulec DancersEllinea SiambalisKenny LantzLovisa BengtssonMarco Wihlborg Results Semi Points: 97Position: 7Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: 92Position: 20Running order: 3 https://youtu.be/l4NDErv49mk

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Käärijä

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameJere Pöyhönen Born21 October 1993 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongCha-cha-cha (2023) Biography Käärijä (real name Jere Pöyhönen, born October 21, 1993 in Helsinki) is a Finnish rap artist who records for Monsp Records. Käärijä has spent most of his youth in Ruskeasanta, Vantaa. He played hockey for a long time and played the drums. The enthusiasm for making his own music started in 2014. In the beginning, Käärijä’s themes revolved very strongly around gambling, and the same theme is partly present in today’s productions as well. His stage name comes from a joke among friends and refers to winning money, or “rolling” in gambling. Käärijä published music on his own until the end of 2017, when Monsp Records released his first double single “Koppi tules” / “Nou roblem”. The A-side of the single was well received, and Käärijä signed an extension contract with Monsp Records. From the beginning, Aleksi Nurmi has been responsible for the production of Käärijä, who has also produced, for example, the music of Töölö Ketterä, Sonny and Adi L Hasla. In 2023, Käärijä won UMK, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. At the contest itself, he was one of the favourites for the victory. The televoting audience voted him to the first place. In the overall result Käärijä became 2nd. Entries Cha-Cha-Cha Country🇫🇮 Finland Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJere PöyhönenJohannes NaukkarinenAleksi NurmiJukka Sorsa MusicJere PöyhönenJohannes NaukkarinenAleksi NurmiJukka Sorsa BackingsAija Puurtinen DancersMatti MyllyahoKatri MäkinenEtel RöhrJesse Wijnans Results Semi Points: 177Position: 1Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: 526Position: 2Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/l6rS8Dv5g-8

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Marco Mengoni represents Italy

After he won the Festival Di Sanremo yesterday, Marco Mengoni confirmed today that he will go to Eurovision. He confirmed that during the winners press conference this afternoon. The signs that he would do the job were already there. Yesterday, he said in a BBC-interview that he would like to go. Marco Mengoni will sing the song “Due vite” in Liverpool. The song is written by Marco himself with Davide Pretella and Davide Simonetta. Italy is placed directly for the final.

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Victor Vernicos

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameVictor Vernicos Jørgensen Born24 October 2006 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWhat they say (2023) Biography Victor Vernicos Jørgensen is a Greek/Danish singer/songwriter. Already as a child, he started singing. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of the Eurovision winning song “Heroes”. On 25 June 2021, he released his first single, “Hope it’s heaven”.  A year later, in August 2022, Victor released a new single, called “Mean”. In the same year, he had his first solo perfomance on TV in a christmas show. On 30 January 2023, it was announced in the ERT News that Victor was going to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “What they say”. Unfortunately he didn’t manage to make it to the Grand Final in the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Entries What They Say Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsVictor Vernicos Jørgensen MusicVictor Vernicos Jørgensen BackingsFanis Bouloukos Results Semi Points: 14Position: 13Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/gJSZA0Zh2xU

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Victor Vernicos to represent Greece

Victor Vernicos announced Victor Vernicos will represent Greece in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. That is what ERT announced today in their main news bulletin. The title of 16-year old Victor’s song is already known too: “What they say”. The full song, written and composed by Victor himself, is not yet published. However, a fragment was already released. Internally chosen Vernicos was internally chosen by a jury, consisting of public and professionals. Out of 106 songs, three were chosen, and now finally “What they say” becomes the entry for the contest in Liverpool. The other finalists were Melissa Mantzoukis with the song “Liar” and rumoured selected duo Antonia Kaouri and Maria Maragkou with “Shout out”. From “Heroes” to “Hope it’s heaven” Victor Vernicos Jørgensen is a 16-year old, half Greek, half Danish singer. He currently has a contract at PANIK Records. Already when he was 4 years old, Victor started to sing. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of Måns Zelmerlöw’s “Heroes”. In 2021 he released his first single, “Hope it’s heaven”.   

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Gustaph

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameStef Caers Born5 July 1980 Nationality🇧🇪 Belgian National SelectionEurosong 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBecause of You (2023) Biography Stef Caers, born in Leuven in 1980, is a Belgian singer, musician, producer and singing teacher.He initially performed under the stage name Steffen and later as Gustaph. Caers followed secondary education at the Academie voor Muziek-Woord-Dans in Heist-op-den-Berg. He graduated as a producer at the music conservatory of Ghent. At the age of nineteen, still during his studies, he scored a hit in 2000 as Steffen with the song “Gonna Lose You”, which reached 22nd place in the Flemish Ultratop 50. Caers won a prize at Flemish Radio 2 in the subcategory “The debut” that year with the song. His next single, “Sweetest Thing”, was a more modest success: the song got stuck in the charts. Caers later noted that his songs like Steffen, which he wrote as a sixteen-year-old, are not entirely in line with his style. The music world made it clear to him that he should keep his homosexuality a secret so as not to undermine his popularity. It therefore remained with these singles under that name. Caers focused more on studio work and writing music. He also made jingles for Radio Donna and Q-music. However, he also remained active on stage, including as a pianist and background singer. With Mo Harcum, Sofie Verbruggen and Sandrine Van Handenhoven he paid homage to Marvin Gaye. With the latter two, he paid homage to Ella Fitzgerald in the 2021-2022 theater season, together with the VRT Bigband. He has been performing solo since 2008 under the name Gustaph. Four years later, under that name, he began singing and writing for Hercules & Love Affair, a group best known in the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, he performed at Pukkelpop, Glastonbury and Chanel shows, among others. Caers left the group in 2018. Caers is also a teacher at Hogeschool Gent within the jazz / pop course and at the pop and rock music course at Hogeschool PXL. Caers went to the Eurovision Song Contest twice as a backing singer. In 2018 with Sennek and in 2021 at Hooverphonic. He also was a voice coach for Geike Arnaert of Hooverphonic.  In January 2023, he took part in Eurosong, the Flemish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.  Gustaph won Eurosong 2023, which meant that he was chosen as the Belgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. He reached the final there and became 7th.  Entries Because Of You Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2023 LanguageEnglish LyricsJaouad AlloulStef Caers MusicJaouad AlloulStef Caers BackingsMonique HarcumChantal KashalaSandrine van Handenhoven DancersPussCee West Results Semi Points: 90Position: 8Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 182Position: 7Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/U1xD14IMKtg

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Blast from the past: Cyprus 1984

We know a lot about Eurovision; this is knowledge we want to share with you. Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we have a look at 1984, when Andy Paul represented the country with the song “Anna Mari-Elena”. Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Cypriot entry entered the stage in 1981. Although Cyprus never won Eurovision, there were some huge successes. Cyprus was very close to winning back in 2018, when Eleni Foureira reached the 2nd place with her “Fuego”. National selection Official lists of the 1984 Cypriot national final are never published. Whether there was a live broadcast or an internal selection is not known. However, there are live recordings of several songs going on throughout the internet. We were able to distill a list of four songs, involved in the contest: *.”Anna Mari-Elena“, sung by Andy Paul, 1st*.”Htes”, sung by Lia Vissi-Piliouri, 2nd*.”Thimame“, sung by Yiannis Dimitrou, 3rd*.”Triantafila tou mai”, sung by Jimmy Makulis, 4th Jimmy Makulis had previously represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1961. Lia Vissi-Piliouri had to wait one more year; she was the 1985 Cypriot contestant. Yiannis Dimitrou and his song “Thimame” were supposed to represent Cyprus in 1988. The song was disqualified because it already took part in the 1984 national selection. Andy Paul Andy’s real name is Andros Pavlou. In the early 1960’s, he moved to the United Kingdom. As more Greek artists in the United Kingdom do (think about George Michael), Andros took a more English name: Andy Paul. His career as a singer started with performances in a pub, where he took part in a talent contest, he won with an Elvis imitation. It got him a contract at the pub. In 1983, Andy Paul released his first record: “Heartbreak situation”. The song was produced by the famous producers trio Stock, Aitken and Waterman. A year later he was chosen to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song can be found on his 1986 album “Andy Paul”. An international disco hit followed in 1988: “Now that I’ve found you“. He also released an album, “Andy Paul”, in the same year. In 1989 a new album was made. Andy Paul is still performing. He currently sings songs from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, especially on weddings and other parties. Some material can be found on his website. Anna Mari-Elena The song “Anna Mari-Elena” was an uptempo disco song written by Paul himself. At the Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg the song was not a hot favourite to win the contest. Greece, very often supportive for Cyprus (if not always), did not take part. However, there was a country that gave it’s 12 to Cyprus: Yugoslavia. Denmark awarded the song with 10 points, but only Sweden, Ireland (4 points) and France (1 point) had Cyprus in their top-10. The song ended up in a 15th place.    

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After the Eurovision Fame: Johnny Logan

Johnny Logan won the Eurovision Song Contest three times. Twice he did this as a performing artist; in 1980 in The Hague, The Netherlands with “What’s another year” and in 1987 in Brussels, Belgium with “Hold me now”. In 1992 he participated in Malmö, Sweden as a lyricist and composer of “Why me?” (Linda Martin). It earned him the nickname “Mr. Eurovision”.   Early life and career Johnny Logan was born as Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard in Frankston, Victoria (Australia), on May 13, 1954. He was the son of the famous Irish tenor Patrick O’Hagan. When he was three years old, the family moved back to Ireland. Sherrard had a musical childhood in which he learned to play the guitar at a young age. He composed his first songs when he was 13. After high school, he started working as an electrician. He also performed as a musician in clubs. He also starred in several musicals. Together with his brother Michael he was part of several bands. At the beginning of his professional music career, Sherrard took the stage name Johnny Logan. This name was taken from the main character from the movie Johnny Guitar. He then recorded his first single in 1978: “No, I don’t want to fall in love”. The song wasn’t a hit. In a quest for more success, he decided to register for the Irish national heat for the Eurovision Song Contest of 1979. With the song “Angie ” he finished behind winner Cathal Dunne in third place. Later that year his debut album, “In London” , was released. First Eurovision victory In March 1980, Logan made another attempt to go to the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland. In the Irish heat of that year he performed “What’s another year”, a song by Shay Healy. This time Logan easily won the national competition and was able to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest, on April 19, 1980 in The Hague. He was previously counted among the favorites for the final victory and turned out to be able to meet those expectations. Excluding Morocco and Turkey, he received points from every country and with a total score of 143 points he gave Ireland a Eurovision victory after ten years. “What’s another year” became a big hit in several European countries. In addition to Ireland itself, it also reached the number 1 position in Belgium and the United Kingdom, among others. Nevertheless, Logan failed to maintain his sudden international success. Successive singles flopped and the number of bookings was disappointing, in his own words due to poor management and his own inexperience. As a result, the singer got into financial trouble and also developed an alcohol problem. In 1984, however, Logan had another success as a writer of the song “Terminal 3”, with which Linda Martin finished second on behalf of Ireland at that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. He got the taste of the Eurovision song contest again and continued to write potential entries. For example, his brother Michael (Mike) Sherrard appeared in the Irish heat of 1985 with the song “Hearts” written by Logan, which ended up in last place. Mike (Michael Sherrard) In 1986, his song “If I can change your mind,” was re-performed by Linda Martin, became fourth in the Irish preselection. Second Eurovision victory In an attempt to get his career back on track, and to erase his predicate of one-day fly, Logan himself wanted to return to the Eurovision song contest to try to win the event again. In 1987 he wrote and composed the song “Hold me now”, which he submitted to the Irish national heat of that year. He managed to win the selection again and was thus allowed to represent Ireland again at the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held two months later in Brussels, Belgium. At the Eurovision song contest, where he received a lot of media attention as a former winner, Logan was again considered one of the favorites. The total points score of 172 was ultimately enough for the victory. It meant, after 1970 and 1980, the third Irish Eurovision victory, and the second for Logan personally. He thus became the first (and to date only) performing artist to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice. As with “What’s another year”, Johnny Logan also scored a big hit with “Hold me now” in several European countries. In addition to Ireland himself, he also reached the number 1 position in Flanders. The subsequent single “I’m not in love” was, as well as the released album “Hold me now”, a modest success. Third Eurovision victory After a few years, in which he made an international tour, Logan again occupied himself with the Eurovision Song Contest at the beginning of the nineties. For the 1991 Irish national heat he wrote the song “When do I get over you?” which put his brother Mike in sixth place. A year later he resumed his collaboration with Linda Martin and wrote for her the song “Why me?”, which would become the Irish entry at the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. The song caught on and ensured another victory for Ireland. Logan became the first (and to date only) person to win the Eurovision Song Contest three times.   Later career In the years that followed, Logan continued to write and release music. He became a much sought-after artist at events where the Eurovision Song Contest is central. His popularity stabilized especially in Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Live during ” Het Grote Songfestivalfeest” in Amsterdam in 2019 Logan remained involved in the Eurovision Song Contest in various ways over the years. For example, during the scoring in 2004 he passed on the Irish points and he wrote several songs for preliminary rounds, and he also regularly sat on professional juries during national selections. In both 2007 and 2009, Logan was approached by Irish broadcaster RTÉ to represent Ireland again at the Eurovision Song Contest, but in both cases the talks came to nothing. In 2010

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Theodor Andrei

About Quick Facts NameTheodor Andrei Born09 October 2004 Nationality🇷🇴 Romanian National SelectionSelecția Națională 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongD.G.T. (Off and on) (2023) Biography Theodor Andrei, born in Bucharest in 2004, is a Romanian singer. Theodor’s first success came in 2017, when he took part in Vocea Romaniei Junior (The Voice Kids Romania) and managed to reach the semifinals. Meanwhile, Theodor was performing many covers, which he placed on Youtube. His first original release came on 21 September 2017: “Young and sweet”. It was followed in October 2018 by a song in Romanian, “Și dacă azi zâmbesc”.  Theodor Andrei released many singles, all in

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Reiley

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameRani Petersen Born24 November 1997 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionMelodi Grand Prix 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBreaking my heart (2023) Biography Rani Petersen (born in Tórshavn, at the Faroe Islands), known by the stage name Reiley, is a Faroese singer and influencer, currently living in the USA. He first published a song on TikTok in 2019. His TikTok range soon rose to over 10 million views worldwide.   On March 26, 2021, Reiley released his first single “Let it ring”. It was followed in September of the same year by the song “Superman”, a ballad. He

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Remo Forrer

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameRemo Forrer Born2001 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWatergun (2023) Biography Remo Forrer lives in Hemberg, Switzerland. He has been involved with music since childhood; he began flute lessons before devoting himself to playing the accordion. He then began playing the piano and singing. He taught himself to play the piano and learned it purely by ear. He did an apprenticeship as a retail specialist in a sports shop. In 2020 he won the third season of The Voice of Switzerland with his coach Noah Veraguth. On April 17, 2020 he

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Käärijä

© EBU/Chloe Hashemi About Quick Facts NameJere Pöyhönen Born21 October 1993 Nationality🇫🇮 Finnish National SelectionUuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongCha-cha-cha (2023) Biography Käärijä (real name Jere Pöyhönen, born October 21, 1993 in Helsinki) is a Finnish rap artist who records for Monsp Records. Käärijä has spent most of his youth in Ruskeasanta, Vantaa. He played hockey for a long time and played the drums. The enthusiasm for making his own music started in 2014. In the beginning, Käärijä’s themes revolved very strongly around gambling, and the same theme is partly present in today’s productions as well. His stage name

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Marco Mengoni represents Italy

After he won the Festival Di Sanremo yesterday, Marco Mengoni confirmed today that he will go to Eurovision. He confirmed that during the winners press conference this afternoon. The signs that he would do the job were already there. Yesterday, he said in a BBC-interview that he would like to go. Marco Mengoni will sing the song “Due vite” in Liverpool. The song is written by Marco himself with Davide Pretella and Davide Simonetta. Italy is placed directly for the final.

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Victor Vernicos

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameVictor Vernicos Jørgensen Born24 October 2006 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionInternal selection 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongWhat they say (2023) Biography Victor Vernicos Jørgensen is a Greek/Danish singer/songwriter. Already as a child, he started singing. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of the Eurovision winning song “Heroes”. On 25 June 2021, he released his first single, “Hope it’s heaven”.  A year later, in August 2022, Victor released a new single, called “Mean”. In the same year, he had his first solo perfomance on TV in a christmas show. On 30 January 2023,

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Victor Vernicos to represent Greece

Victor Vernicos announced Victor Vernicos will represent Greece in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. That is what ERT announced today in their main news bulletin. The title of 16-year old Victor’s song is already known too: “What they say”. The full song, written and composed by Victor himself, is not yet published. However, a fragment was already released. Internally chosen Vernicos was internally chosen by a jury, consisting of public and professionals. Out of 106 songs, three were chosen, and now finally “What they say” becomes the entry for the contest in Liverpool. The other finalists were Melissa Mantzoukis with the

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Gustaph

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameStef Caers Born5 July 1980 Nationality🇧🇪 Belgian National SelectionEurosong 2023 In Eurovision2023 Liverpool SongBecause of You (2023) Biography Stef Caers, born in Leuven in 1980, is a Belgian singer, musician, producer and singing teacher.He initially performed under the stage name Steffen and later as Gustaph. Caers followed secondary education at the Academie voor Muziek-Woord-Dans in Heist-op-den-Berg. He graduated as a producer at the music conservatory of Ghent. At the age of nineteen, still during his studies, he scored a hit in 2000 as Steffen with the song “Gonna Lose You”, which reached 22nd place

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Blast from the past: Cyprus 1984

We know a lot about Eurovision; this is knowledge we want to share with you. Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we have a look at 1984, when Andy Paul represented the country with the song “Anna Mari-Elena”. Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Cypriot entry entered the stage in 1981. Although Cyprus never won Eurovision, there were some huge successes. Cyprus was very close to winning back in 2018, when Eleni Foureira reached the 2nd place with her “Fuego”. National selection Official lists of the 1984 Cypriot national final are never published.

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After the Eurovision Fame: Johnny Logan

Johnny Logan won the Eurovision Song Contest three times. Twice he did this as a performing artist; in 1980 in The Hague, The Netherlands with “What’s another year” and in 1987 in Brussels, Belgium with “Hold me now”. In 1992 he participated in Malmö, Sweden as a lyricist and composer of “Why me?” (Linda Martin). It earned him the nickname “Mr. Eurovision”.   Early life and career Johnny Logan was born as Seán Patrick Michael Sherrard in Frankston, Victoria (Australia), on May 13, 1954. He was the son of the famous Irish tenor Patrick O’Hagan. When he was three years old, the family

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