Earlier this month, we published a list of some of the potential artists being looked at by CyBC/RIK to possibly represent Cyprus at Eurovision next year. The list is part of the broadcaster’s plan to work with an established act for the 2021 contest. Now, yet another Greek star has expressed interest in potentially representing Cyprus.
As reported by Eurovision Fun, Greek pop star and Miss World 2005 representative Katerina Stikoudi has expressed interest in Eurovision participation. In a recent interview with HELLO! Cyprus, when asked if she would do Eurovision, she said the following:
My biggest motivation to go to Eurovision would be a very good and strong song.ย The music stars, and then the rest.
‘A very good song’ could be around the corner, having just released a new hit single “ฮฮนฮฑฯฮญฯฯ” (Differ) last month. The song is already becoming a summer hit, amassing over 500k views and gaining traction on Greek radio.
‘Exploratory discussions’ begin next month
However, there has not been any negotiations with any one singer, and they are still open for proposals.ย
RIK has accepted proposals from both artists and composers and will not take hasty action but will proceed rationally in order to make the best possible choice.
Spokesperson from RIK
As weโve seen from Panik Records with Eleni Foureira and Minos EMI/Universal with Tamta, record label backing is an important component for the Cypriot representative at Eurovision.ย Notably, Katerina is signed to the same labels as Tamta (Minos EMI/Universal).
The source also said exploratory discussions will commence in August, with the aim of publicly announcing the artist/act in November. Following that, the song, clip and stage concept will be developed.
Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest
Cyprus made their Eurovision Song Contest debut 37 years ago, back in 1981. The island nation has participated in every contest since, with the exception of 1988, 2001 and 2014. Prior to 2018, Cyprusโ best results had come in the form of three fifth place finishes. These came courtesy of Anna Vissiโs โMono i agapiโ in 1982, Hara & Andreas Constantinouโs โMana mouโ in 1997 and Lisa Andreasโ โStronger Every Minuteโ in 2004.
While Cyprus secured seven top 11 finishes in the 1990s, the nationโs form dipped as the contest entered its semi-final era. Cyprus failed to qualify in six out of eight occasions between 2006 and 2013, withdrawing in 2014 for financial reasons.
In 2018, following a string of three qualifications, Eleni Foureira brought them to second place for the first time with the iconic โFuegoโ. The following year, Tamta brought them their fifth consecutive qualification with โReplayโ.
In 2020, CyBCย selected โSandroโ to represent Cyprusย at the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song โRunningโ. Sandro was set to perform 13th in the first semi-final of the 2020 contest, which was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Would you like to see Katerina represent Cyprus? Who else would you like CyBC consider? Let us know!ย Beย sure to stay updated by followingย @ESCXTRA on Twitter,ย @escxtra on Instagramย and liking ourย Facebook pageย for the latest updates!ย Also, be sure to subscribe toย our YouTube channelย to see our reactions to the over the coming months.
