From our special correspondent in Liverpool (UK)
On Saturday, she said she was in an “electric” state. “I still am, it hasn’t changed,” La Zarra told us on Wednesday. The singer, who will represent France in the Eurovision final on Saturday, did a series of interviews at her hotel in Liverpool and will do it again tomorrow. Then, Friday, will come the time for the final rehearsal before the big night. Progress point as D-Day approaches.
How did you experience your rehearsal in public on Monday evening?
It was very moving. When I arrived, people seemed happy to see me, they were shouting (laughs). It was a pleasure to share this moment with the spectators, for me, that’s what is most important.
From the room, we saw you arrive from the backstage perched on the structure that the technicians have installed on the front of the stage. What were you thinking at that time?
What I was not thinking, rather (laughs). There are several things running through my mind. I was trying to bring the stress down. I’m really a perfectionist when it comes to my performance but there are things I can’t control too much. As soon as I came into contact with the crowd, it changed my mind.
Isn’t it too destabilizing to sing on a pillar, three meters high?
It is certain that being in height, there can be interference in the sound returns. Even if there is no risk of the column falling, it moves, so if I move my leg, there are vibrations that go up… I have to deal with all these new elements, hoping to be able to control everything from here at the final performance.
You were talking the other day about picking up and then hanging up the security cordon. However, there, you remain attached permanently. Initially, it was planned that you detach yourself to move more on the stage?
That’s what I had planned. Afterwards, there were setbacks which meant that the decision was made that I would stay hooked.
You are going to sing in the first half of the final, just like the favorites that are the Swede, the Finn and the Spaniard… What does that mean to you?
I may not quite understand how things are going, but when I watch shows like the MTV Music Awards, after an hour, I want to turn off my TV (laughs). So me, it suits me to pass in the first part. Afterwards, I don’t know how it works for the votes, if there is a risk that in the end people won’t remember my performance… Afterwards, I can’t control what the public prefers. If they favor another proposal that corresponds more to their tastes, that’s fine. Me, at the end of the day, I want to be happy with my performance. I want it to be vocally impeccable, for there to be no mistakes, for us to understand the essence of the song… If I manage to do that, I won’t have any regrets.
Do you read comments about you or your performance on Twitter, on YouTube?
A little.
Does that comfort you? Does that make you wonder?
I ask myself questions all the time, so there is no one who will change that (laughs). I take into consideration what people who like me say, it’s pretty concrete in general. They are relevant, they know what they are talking about. I feel protected by them no matter what. It gives me a lot of strength, I don’t feel alone when I’m on stage.
Do you think that your final ranking may not meet your expectations?
Of course. It’s normal. Of course, I would like to take the cup home and make everyone proud, I will fight until the last minute. But for me, after that, life goes on. I had a career before, I hope I will have a career after (laughs).
How do you work on stress management between now and your next appearance on stage on Friday for the jury show during which the international jurors will establish their rankings?
Basically, I’m a pretty anxious person. I’ve always had stage fright. But, as soon as I start singing, it comes down – sometimes it takes a while to come down. What is important for me is to isolate myself before going on stage, to be left alone. For the preceding forty minutes, no one should speak to me. I have to enter my universe.
You arrived in Liverpool a week ago. How have you lived these days?
I have stored many good memories. We shared a lot of things together, within the delegation. We laugh a lot, we try to take the time to relax, to eat together. We are a great team.