🇭🇷 Dino Jelušić would consider future Eurovision participation

In a recent podcast interview, Dino Jelušić, the winner of the inaugural Junior Eurovision Song Contest, has said that he has received offers in the past to represent Croatia at the adult contest. Although he has previously turned offers down in the past, Måneskin may well have changed his mind for the future…

Speaking on the Večernji List Podcast, Dino Jelušić revealed that he had received offers from HRT to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest before, but turned them down. However, after seeing Måneskin this year, he would potentially consider it.

I received and refused calls, I was not interested in that. Now that I’ve seen Måneskin, I think to myself ‘Well, you know what, if Ursula Tolj asks me nicely and if I get my hands free to do what I want, maybe I’ll take that into account…Look at the phenomenon of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest:  Måneskin came, they came and tore it up. They came there like it was their concert, ironed it like it was their concert, and won. They ate them up.

Dino Jelušić speaking on the Večernji list Podcast

Fans will remember Dino best from Junior Eurovision 2003. At 11 years old, he represented Croatia at the inaugural contest with “Ti Si Moja Prva Ljubav”, winning with 134 points.

However, he is aware of the pressure that would be on his shoulders.

It’s a lot of pressure. If I win, I will be the most loved person in the world, and if I lose I will be the biggest loser. Look what they did to poor Albina. What happened? ‘Tick Tock’ didn’t make it to the finals and suddenly they started stabbing her in the back. That is the problem with us. They only love you when you win.

Dino Jelušić speaking on the Večernji list Podcast

Croatia at Eurovision 2021

Damir Kedžo won Dora 2020 with his song “Divlji vjetre”. In the selection, he won the televote and finished second in the jury vote. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Eurovision 2020 had to be cancelled. Rather than re-select Damir, HRT opted to run a fresh selection for 2021, with a new voting system.

Albina ended up winning the selection after placing first in both the jury vote and the televote with her song “Tick-Tock”. In Rotterdam, however, Albina narrowly missed out on a place in the Grand Final, placing in 11th in semi-final one with 105 points, just 5 points behind Norway’s TIX in 10th.

Would you like to see Dino Jelušić compete at Eurovision? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!