It is not only in France that the preparation for Eurovision hits the headlines. If, on Friday, at the microphone of Sud Radio, Alexandra Redde-Amiel, the head of the tricolor delegation was indignant at what she calls a “media lynching” against La Zarra, on the side of the Netherlands , the situation is not calm either. Even less.
The Dutch representatives, Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper, 27 and 29, are in the sights of the press in their country. “In recent weeks, media coverage of their participation has alternated between negative and vitriol,” summarizes Renske ten Veen on Wiwiblogsone of the English-language reference sites for the competition.
The singing duo, with their song Burning Daylight, must participate in the first semi-final on May 9 in Liverpool (United Kingdom) in order to hope to qualify for the final on May 13. Their compatriots journalists estimate that it is far from being in the pocket. “It’s going to take a miracle” writes Metro, quoting a viewer. “How could two inexperienced artists be launched into the Eurovision competition being so poorly prepared? », wonders Het Parol. “Dion and Mia musically in the fog: is there still time to fix things”, wonders for his part RTL New.
“We know what’s wrong, all of the Netherlands has seen it”
In question, in particular, the mediocre performance delivered during the Eurovision pre-concert in Madrid (Spain), April 8. A spokesperson for Avrotros, the Dutch equivalent of France Télévisions, explained in the process that the false notes were due to “a problem with the earpieces, which suffered from several other artists” – including the representative of France , La Zarra. “We remain confident for Mia and Dion, we have often heard them sing together and know how good they are,” added the broadcaster.
The following week, during the show Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam – the one from which La Zarra withdrew – Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper were no more convincing. Once again, social networks and the media did not spare them. Eric van Stade, CEO of Avrotros tried to play the firefighter, but did not avoid arsonist remarks, admitting for example that among the negative reviews, “many are justified”.
“We know what’s wrong, all of the Netherlands has seen it. The artistic team continues to work on the points to improve in order to achieve the best vocal performance,” he told RTL Boulevard last Monday. He assured that “the right choice” had been made by selecting the duo for Eurovision. Then, he clarified: “We see that the step to be taken up to the big stage is much greater than in previous years when we worked with young talents. »
The selection committee pitches
In 2019, the Netherlands had actually won Eurovision thanks to the song Arcade of Duncan Laurence who had just won the local edition of The Voice. This artist collaborated with Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper when designing their song. If it was put forward a lot during the announcement of the duo’s participation, Duncan Laurence was careful not to speak on the subject since the controversy broke out.
While the two Dutch representatives must rehearse for the first time on the Eurovision stage in Liverpool, support is scarce. SATURDAY, they were mocked in the satirical show “Even tot hier” where two comedians parodied their song to evoke a current event… while chaining the false notes in front of a hilarious public.
On Thursday, singer Jan Smit, who co-presented Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam, announced that he was leaving the Dutch selection committee songs for the contest. He did not feel in his place there because he was the only one to oppose the designation of Mia Nicolas and Dion Cooper for the competition. However, the official version affirmed that the choice had been unanimous. This withdrawal is not so anecdotal because Jan Smit will be one of two Eurovision commentators for the Avrotros channel. This promises for the atmosphere in the camp of the Netherlands in Liverpool.