Shirma Rouse throws her hat into the ring for Lisbon

The rumour mill in The Netherlands is starting to hit top speed like it does every year. Avrotros announced that they would reveal their entrant in the next month a few days ago and acts are throwing their name into the ring to be on the shortlist. In an interview today, soul singer Shirma Rouse did the same.

Who is Shirma Rouse?

Shirma Rouse is not unfamiliar with the Eurovision Song Contest. Back in 2013, she was one of the three backing vocals supporting Anouk in Malmö. In an annual voting by The Eurovision Times, Rouse won the award for the best backing vocal of the year.
Soon after Malmö, she auditioned for The Voice of Holland. It was her time to shine and she reached the semifinal there. Her version of Boyz II Men’s End of the road was seen as one of the most impressive moments in the season.
After The Voice, Rouse gained a lot of attention in the Netherlands. She did a few tours, released an album and started a food/entertainment combination, Shirma’s Soul Kitchen, where guests would come to a pop-up restaurant for soul food and soul music.

But… what to expect with Shirma?

It’s hard to tell what we’d need to expect from Shirma. Back in 2013, Anouk suggested she could write Shirma a great song for the contest. Maybe that offer still stands?
All in all, it remains to be seen if Shirma has a chance of representing her nation in Lisbon. Reports say that the big stars are not that interested in going to Eurovision this year and Shirma Rouse thinks she’d be a good fit. She’s happy to admit she’s not in that ‘premier league’ of Dutch hit machines, but she can hold a good tune and deliver a song.
It would be a surprise if Shirma Rouse will actually get the ticket. One wouldn’t expect a possible act, who’s in talks with Avrotros, to publicly state a wish like this in an interview. In 2016 and 2017, both Douwe Bob and OG3NE firmly denied all sorts of interest and contest…
Nevertheless, what do you think, would Shirma be a good candidate to represent The Netherlands in Lisbon? Let us know below or on Facebook!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0x6JlKdXsk