Rumours are swirling as to who will represent Belgium

Popular Belgian TV magazine Telepro has suggested that RTBF (Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française) are to internally select their artist for Eurovision 2017 and that artist will be one of two participants that competed in the fifth season of The Voice Belgique which took place earlier this year. The two contenders are said to be Pierre Lizée and Olivier Kaye.
Pierre Lizée has been the hot favourite to become Belgium’s 2017 Eurovision representative for several weeks now after reaching the semi-finals on The Voice back in April. Telepro describes his unique musical style as reminiscent of popular British artists such as Jake Bugg, Noel Gallagher and Coldplay with his mix of pop, rock and the use of a British accent. In January 2015, prior to his participation on The Voice, Pierre released a self-written song titled I’m Just A Ghost which showcases this unique style and you can listen to this below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jpVina5lIs
The other contender to fly the flag for Belgium in Ukraine next year is Olivier Kaye. Considered to be the outsider of these two potential representatives, Olivier actually went one step further in The Voice than Pierre did by reaching the final. His musical style is described as commercial pop, but with a noticeable electronic influence. Olivier recently uploaded a cover of Usher’s Slippin’ which you can listen to below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCV-qvVmy0g
Telepro reports that songs are already being written with these two artists in mind, and that an announcement of their chosen artist is likely to be made before the end of this year. This isn’t the first time RTBF have selected a past participant of The Voice Belgique to become their Eurovision representative as 2013’s Roberto Bellarosa (who won season 1) and 2015’s Loïc Nottet (runner-up in season 3) both rose to prominence via this talent show. Both Roberto and Loïc reached the Eurovision final, with Love Kills and Rhythm Inside achieving 12th and 4th place respectively.
RTBF, the broadcaster for the Walloon region of Belgium, alternates Eurovision responsibilities on an annual basis with the broadcaster for the Flemish region of Belgium: VRT (Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie). Therefore, VRT were in charge of the Eurovision selection process for Belgium this year, in which Laura Tesoro was victorious with her energetic performance of What’s The Pressure?. Laura continued Belgium’s recent good form in the contest securing a top 10 finish in Stockholm and becoming the country’s third qualifier within the last four years. Prior to this, Belgium had managed just one qualification in the previous eight years when Tom Dice finished in 6th place in 2010 with Me and My Guitar.

Belgium’s best result at Eurovision remains their victory in 1986 with Sandra Kim and J’aime la vie, perhaps Pierre or Olivier could come close to matching that feat?