Slovenia: Seventh Heat of Misija Evrovizija

The seventh heat of Misija Evrovizija was held tonight. Eight contestants took part, still singing well known songs to convince the juries and the audience that they are the right choice to represent Slovenia in Baku. The jury members (Raay, Darja Švajger, Tina Marinšek, and Jonas Žnidaršič) chose six contestants out of eight, and then televoting saved one of the two contestants left, to make it seven who qualify to the next heat.

Klemen Slakonja, who is the host, opened the show once again – this time singing Toto Cutugno’s “Insieme: 1992” with Slovenian lyrics, about the eight finalists.

Tonight’s participants were:

1. Manuela Brečko - she sang “Like A Prayer” by Madonna

Manuela was the first one to sing tonight. Right after the very start of the song, she took off her shoes. Vocally she was very good. Darja said everything was wonderful, joyful, and that she enjoyed this performance and liked to see her enjoy being on stage so much. Tina said it was nice, but she had small vocal lacks on the start. Jonas also said this performance was great. Raay said she was herself, she sang exactly how she should have, and he loved this performance.

On the start of the show, Manuela was placed 1st in RTV Slo poll with 24.2% of the votes.

2. Flora Ema Lotrič - she sang “Think Twice” by Celine Dion

Flora Ema has the biggest support by the audience in the studio. This was a very nice and very simple performance, but vocally very good. Tina said she looks beautiful, but says that she should enjoy and show emotions much more when she sings a ballad. Jonas said this was a good performance, very elegant, but something was still missing. Raay liked that she sang Celine’s song differently than Celine does. Darja agreed with the other jury members, and added that it was not enough.

On the start of the show, she was placed 2nd in the poll with 22.45% of total votes.

3. Gašper Rifelj - he sang “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You” by Heart

Gašper suited-up for the occasion, and gives a very nice and elegant performance of this song. His vocal is good, but his English could get a little bit better. He is the only guy left in the contest, so will this bring him some extra points with the jury and the audience? This is what the jury said – Jonas said he expects always more and more of him after each show, and that this was a really good performance. Raay said that he was singing a little bit like if he was forced, and that he must be relaxed. Darja said this was better than the last time, and congratulated him on that. Tina said it is good when he concentrates on the song, and not so much on the stage performance, and also said this was a very nice performance.

On the start of the show, he was placed 3rd in the poll, with 14.19% of the total votes.

4. Eva & Nika Prusnik - they sang “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio

The twins are next on the stage. They didn’t manage to do the rap part of the song well, but the chorus was quite good. The camera was concentrating on both of them through the entire performance. Raay said that their performance is always a lot of fun, that they are both equally good now, and he’s looking forward to seeing more from them. Darja said this was great, and she’s happy that they “showed” more range of their voices now. Tina liked how everything worked well. Jonas says the performance was “super, nice, etc…”, and that he likes how they improve together, and they always become better and better.

On the start of the show they were placed 5th in the poll with 10.32% of the total votes.

5. Nika Zorjan - she sang “Would I Lie To You” by Charles & Eddy

Nika gives a nice performance vocally, but she appears to be left without breath at some points. She also interacts with the audience a little bit. Darja said it was nice seeing and listening to her, there were problems with intonation, but nothing too serious, but she didn’t give her 100%. Tina congratulated her, and says this was her best performance so far. Jonas said he was missing the confetti, feathers, and dancers, which would make this performance a fine 90s video clip. Raay said even though this seems an easy song, it is quite hard to sing, and she did it well.

On the start of the show, she was placed 6th in the poll with 9.69% of the total votes.

6. Nadja Irgolič - she sang “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette

She starts the song sitting, and gets up as the chorus starts. She gives a very nice performance, and even though she is only 16, her voice suits the song very well. Tina said she is happy that she saw a rock version of Nadja, and she loved the performance. Raay says that she sung Alanis’ song differently than Alanis, and this difference was really good. Jonas says that she mustn’t be happy with being just “a little bit different”, he expected something else, but it’s still very good. Darja says she loved this performance, and loved her voice and interpretation of this song.

On the start of the show, Nadja was placed 7th, with 6.79% of the total votes.

7. Brina Vidic - she sang “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World” by Prince

Brina’s voice is very clear, and she gives a good vocal performance of this song, and she has also prepared a small choreography and a special dress for this show. Jonas enjoyed very much this performance, and says everything was very good. Tina complimented her for the looks, that she performed Prince’s song in a good way, but she couldn’t understand all the time what she was singing. Darja was enjoying this performance a lot, and everything she put together was good. Raay likes her different appearance, but says that this performance could have been a bit more dynamic.

On the start of the show, Brina was placed last in the poll, having only 1.53% of total votes.

8. Eva Boto - she sang “Any Man Of Mine” by Shania Twain

Dressed up all country-style, Eva gives a great vocal performance of this song, with a nice dance, and flirting with the camera. Raay says this was magnificent, full of energy, and that she has no competition here when it comes to energy. Darja congratulated her, says that country is a very risky music style, but this was a perfect performance. Tina says everyone was dancing, and that it was really amazing. Jonas said he hated country music, but she gave an energetic performance, such as Maja Keuc usually gives.

On the start of the show, she was placed 4th in the poll, with 10.82% of the total votes.

In the break at the half of the show, Maja Keuc performed Christina Aguilera’s “Tough Love” joined by dancing group Maestro.

The six contestants chosen by the jury to proceed to the next heat of Misija Evrovizija are (in random order):

•  Nadja Irgolič
•  Nika Zorjan
•  Brina Vidic
•  Eva Boto
•  Eva & Nika Prusnik
•  Manuela Brečko

That means that televoting decides between Flora Ema Lotrič and Gašper Rifelj. The one who wins the televoting will qualify for the next round (Top Seven), and the other one leaves the Contest tonight. They are singing again.

1. Flora Ema Lotrič - she sang “Stuck” by Caro Emerald

Televoting numbers for Flora Ema: land line – 089 33 01, mobile phones: *303*1#

2. Gašper Rifelj - he sang “Bed Of Roses” by Bon Jovi

Televoting numbers for Gašper: land line – 089 33 02, mobile phones:  *303*2#

Klemen Slakonja, dressed up as Chris Martin (lead singer of Coldplay) sang in the interval part of the show “Viva La Vida Corrida“, with lots of censured lines in the song (not the right lyrics of the song, as usual).

Televoting lasted 10 minutes, and the one to proceed to the next round is Flora Ema Lotrič. Gašper Rifelj got eliminated.