Two more acts have been announced for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Blanche will represent Belgium, whilst Jana Burceska will represent Macedonia. They follow already confirmed acts, Cyprus’ Hovig, and the Netherlands’ O’G3NE. Eurovision 2017 is going to be the event of the year.
All the acts that have been announced have been chosen internally. Their songs that they’ll be singing will be chosen at a later date. A total of 43 countries will be taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
Eurovision 2017: Belgium Entrant – Blanche
The Belgium entrant, Blanche, was chosen by RTBF (Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française). The two broadcasters take it in turns to choose the entrant. Last year, VRT (Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisate) chose Laura Tesoro, who placed 10th. However, it was the previous year, when RTBF last chose a representative, where Belgium came fourth. That was with Loïc Nottet.
Blanche, real name Ellie Delvaux, has previously been on Belgium’s TV screens before. She took part in the fifth series of The Voice Belgique, where she reached the semi-finals. She was then contacted by Pierre Dumoulin, lead singer of the band Roscoe, who wanted to work with her. The pair have been penning tracks, and have written her Eurovision song together; which will be released at a later date.
For the time being, check out her videos on her YouTube channel.
Eurovision 2017: FYR Macedonia Entrant – Jana Burceska
As for the Macedonia entrant, Jana Burceska was chosen by Macedonian broadcaster MKRTV (Macedonian Radio Television). The country hasn’t qualified for the Grand Final since 2012. The entrant of which returned last year, Kaliopi, but didn’t do as well as she did in 2012. Clearly, “Dona” wasn’t the right song. Maybe, Jana Burceska will be the one to stop the streak and manage to get into the Grand Final. If the song is good enough, she could win.
Jana Burceska has previously taken part in various contests, including the first season of Macedonian Idol in 2011, where she came fifth. Surprisingly, one of the judges was last year’s entrant Kaliopi. The following year, she participated in Skopje Fest with the song “Bi bila tvoja“. The contest is one of the country’s biggest musical events and has previously been used as a national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Her song will be announced at a later date; for now, you can search for her Idol performances on YouTube.
Eurovision 2017: Netherlands Entrant – O’G3NE
The Netherlands announced their entrant on 29 October 2016. Chosen by broadcaster AVROTROS. They follow after Douwe Bob, who managed to get 153 points placing this country 11th in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.
O’G3NE are a three-piece pop group consisting of sisters Lisa Vol, Amy Vol, and Shelley Vol. Quite well known in the Netherlands; they first hit fame by winning Junior Songfestival 2007, which then lead to them competing in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007. Back then, they were known as Lisa, Amy & Shelley, where they came 11 out of 17. They went on to release two albums before a short hiatus. They then returned, now known as O’G3NE, on The Voice of Holland season five. All four coaches turned during their audition. The sisters went on to win the show, being the first group to do so. They released a third album which went on to hit the number one spot on the Netherlands’ MegaCharts.
The song they’ll be singing will be announced at a later date, but with their confidence and awesome vocals, the Netherlands might have quite the shot, come Eurovision 2017.
Listen to O’G3NE sing The Pussycat Dolls’ “Buttons” on The Voice of Holland:
https://youtu.be/i853kwusjiM
Eurovision 2017: Cyprus Entrant – Hovig
Cyprus were the first country to announce their act for Eurovision 2017. Hovig was chosen internally by CyBC (Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation). His song will be written by popular Eurovision Swedish composer Thomas G:son.
Read more about Hovig being selected as the Cyprus entrant here:
Hovig Has Been Selected To Represent Cyprus In The Eurovision Song Contest 2017
It looks like Eurovision 2017 is shaping up to be an amazing contest already; with only four acts announced so far, who will be next?
Have you got a favourite so far? Let us know on Twitter @CelebMix.
(Photos: RTBF & Erina Bogoeva)