It’s less than two weeks until the Grand Final. We are, of course, talking about the 2022 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. As things stand, we know five countries competing – that is the big five which consist of hosts Italy, as well as France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
For the remaining 35 countries, the semi-finals loom – with the 10 top-ranked acts in each semi-final competing in the final, in Turin on Saturday 14th May. Already, the Eurovision 2022 odds are out, and you can predict who the outright winner will be. So, let’s take a look at some of the contenders…
Ukraine (8/13)
Ukraine will be performing sixth in the first semi-final. Kalush Orchestra came second in the national selection process, Vidbir – but after winner Alina Pash withdrew, the rap group were offered the chance to perform.
The group was formed in 2019 under the name of Kalush, with three additional members also forming this side project. Kalush Orchestra are described as an amalgamation of hip-hop, with elements of traditional Ukrainian folk music. The group will be performing “Stefania”.
Fact: Ihor Didenchuk previously represented Ukraine as part of Go A, in 2021. They finished fifth in the final.
Italy (9/2)
Italy are hosting Eurovision after Måneskin’s victory last year with “Zitti e buoni” (524 points). This year, Mahmood and Blanco will be performing their song “Brividi”.
Mahmood is a singer, who rose to fame after competing in the 2012 Italian series of The X Factor, and is a two-time winner of the Sanremo Music Festival – Italy’s national selection for Eurovision. Blanco (real name: Riccardo Fabbriconi) is a singer, rapper and songwriter, who released his first album in 2020.
Fact: Mahmood is another former Eurovision entry making his return. He came second as a solo artist in 2019, with his song “Soldi”.
Sweden (11/2)
Sweden are performing in the second semi-final, and are the penultimate act (17/18) – with Cornelia Jakobs performing “Hold Me Closer”.
Jakobs first entered Idol in 2008, where she was mocked by the judges – then aged 16. She has since rose to fame as part of girl group Love Generation and has also forged a solo career.
Fact: Jakobs has entered Sweden’s national selection process Melodifestivalen multiple times – 2011 and 2012 with Love Generation, in 2021 as the songwriter for Efraim Leo and this year as a solo artist.
United Kingdom (10/1)
No, you’re not seeing things – the United Kingdom are one of the favourites this year – all thanks to singer and social media personality, Sam Ryder. The Essex-born hopeful has been in the industry since 2009 and will be performing “Space Man”.
He was selected by the BBC, in collaboration with TaP Music. His song for Eurovision was released on February 22nd and has since amassed over 4 million streams on Spotify and over 2 million views on YouTube. Ryder will be looking to better than last year’s ‘nul points’.
Fact: The UK has never finished in the top 10 as a member of the big five – and has finished last twice since 2010.
Spain (16/1)
Cuban-Spanish Chanel won the first-ever Benidorm Fest, as Spain revamped their internal selection process. She will be performing her debut single “SloMo” which charted 13th in Spain. Chanel is a singer, dancer and actress who was previously a backing dancer for Shakira. She won both her semi-final and the final of Benidorm Fest.
Fact: The choreographer of the music video for “SloMo” has worked with Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears, amongst other artists! (Odds are correct at the time of writing)