Irish tabloid The Irish Mail on Sunday today report that The Saturdays member, Una Healy, is RTÉ’s first choice for next year’s contest.
After this year’s entrant, Ryan O’Shaughnessy successfully reached the grand final with the ballad Together, the report claims that the broadcaster is eager to repeat or better still, improve on his success. The tabloid’s source goes on to reveal why they believe Una is their perfect candidate.
‘We know from Nicky Byrne that a profile doesn’t guarantee a good result but she has honed her craft as a solo singer over the past two years and we feel that she would be the perfect choice. ‘
Will Una grace the Eurovision stage for a second time?
The 37 year old is no stranger to the Eurovision bubble. In 2006 she took to the stage in Athens, performing as a backing singer for Brian Kennedy. Every Song Is a Cry for Love was successful for the nation, finishing in 10th place with 93 points.
The insider references her previous Eurovision experience and time as a member of British pop group The Saturdays as a further reason as to why she is RTE’s number one choice.
‘She has an amazing voice and has years of experience performing live in front of thousands of people so nerves wouldn’t be a problem for her.
It is thought that the broadcaster has already been in touch with Una. The well placed source went on to reveal that ‘it all depends on her schedule and whether she’d be up for the gig‘.
‘I’m not going to say no’
Earlier this year, she told The Irish Mirror that she watches the contest every year and wouldn’t say no to the job.
’Ive been there done that and ticked the bucket list. I’ve done Eurovision. It is such an amazing experience to be there. it is something out of this world and I still watch the Eurovision all the time so.
The Irish Mirror (April 2018)
I don’t know, maybe. I’m not going to say no because you never know.”
Career Highlights: The Saturdays success and debut solo album release
In 2007, Una found success as one fifth of pop group The Saturdays. The group enjoyed success in the UK & Ireland before storming the US Billboard charts in 2013 with the single What About Us?. After their sixth album release the following year, the five piece announced a hiatus.
Una’s involvement with RTE began in 2014 when she was commissioned her own series, Una’s Dream Ticket. Later that year, she was confirmed as a mentor on the fourth series of The Voice of Ireland, which she went on to win with her act Patrick James Donoghue.
In February 2017, she released her debut solo album The Waiting Game. Earlier this year, she released latest single Never See Me Cry.
Do you agree with RTE, is Una Healy the perfect candidate for Tel Aviv? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or by tweeting us at @ESCXTRA.
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