We talked to one of the favorites to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
He also does not believe in the excuses of politics
Sam Ryder, Britain's Eurovision representative, is one of the favorites to win this year's competition.
In an interview with Walla!
Culture He talks about meteoric success, Michael Ben-David and politics
Yaniv Dornbush, Turin
11/05/2022
Wednesday, 11 May 2022, 08:59 Updated: 09:24
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Is it possible that the interview you are currently reading will turn into an interview with the big winner of Eurovision 2022 on Saturday?
If we take a look at the betting tables, rub our eyes in disbelief and find out - Britain moves between second and fourth place in the chances of winning in Turin.
This time, the British team seems to be taking the Eurovision Song Contest seriously, with a representative scattering loads of talent, personal charm without any competition, and if the UK has production capabilities like Sam Ryder's voice capability - we want to pack now for London 2023 (but will probably throw Him to Manchester).
For those who have not heard of Ryder, during the first closure of the Corona plague in March 2020, he posted videos on Tiktok that became a huge sensation.
The videos became a recording contract with the record company Perlopon and the management agency TaP Music, which signed names such as Eli Golding, Lena Led Ray, and Doa Lipa.
Just before we got into the madness of the second semi-final featuring Israel to be held tomorrow, we caught up with Ryder for a conversation, and even tried to teach him some Hebrew.
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I'm throwing you a few numbers: Facebook - 2.2 million followers, YouTube - more than 2.5 million views, Instagram - 3.7 million followers, but that's nothing compared to 12.3 million followers on Tiktok!
"Crazy. Everything's crazy numbers. It's amazing. I would not have been here without the support that stunning people showed me during the closure, when I sang to my phone in the corner of the room.
And if you are not yet then join!
If I were to ask all Israelis to follow me in Tiktok, from the newborn baby to the person breathing his last breaths, I would still have 3 million fewer followers than you
"it's too much, I can not handle it".
Let's go down the Avenue of Memories.
Twenty years ago, British Representative Jessica Gerlik finished third.
A year later the UK finishes with zero points, since last four more places including last year.
This year everything has changed,
"I do not know what has changed, because I have not been in previous years. My experience is limited to everything that has happened from January until now, since I said 'yes'! All I can say is that I am trying to give the same intention and energy as I brought from the corner of my room in closure. I did not think then that someone would see or share or it would see daylight, I did it just for me, to make a living and enjoy singing.
"I did not expect it to end with me being here, getting ready to sing in Turin on this stage on Saturday, but it happened and I am grateful.
I have the opportunity to sing alongside these amazing talents, from all over the world.
When I say from all over the world I really mean it, the songwriters come from all over the world, and of course Eurovision has a global audience, and people love it with passion.
It's a celebration of music and I'm proud to be a part of it. "
Sam Ryder (Photo: Screenshot, YouTube)
I have a theory about the UK.
Terry Wagen, a Eurovision legend (has been the BBC's competition commentator for years), has added a dimension of cynicism, making fun of the songs, but also fun.
Graham Norton who now broadcasts is acting the same way.
Do you think this makes British nationalists afraid to participate, so as not to become the object of ridicule?
"First of all they are legends, I never knew Terry, I wish I knew, he is so funny and talented. I know Graham and he is excellent, I know they are Eurovision fans, Graham is a huge fan and Terry was like that too. They brought their personality. For a broadcast that has become more colorful. There are disturbing moments, but for that the competition must be celebrated. However, respect must also be shown, for me as a Eurovision fan the competition must be respected, and I think broadcasters do that.
We Israelis and the British have something in common in the Eurovision Song Contest, we like to blame others.
In Israel, when we do not succeed, it is not because we sent a bad song but because of politics and anti-Semitism.
In the UK it is also not because of a bad song, but because there was a war in Iraq and that you left the EU even though there is no connection between the EU and participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
But you get tremendous support both at home and amateurs around the world.
"Like you said, I'm not part of this 'dislike Britain' narrative, I do not believe it, this is not my experience. When I traveled to different countries and talked to people they always accepted and loved me. For me, surrendering to the political narrative would be a completely wrong thing, I "You just do not believe it. You can start telling yourself a negative story and then it takes over the story until you believe it. But it is not true, you can at any stage choose to reverse the narrative and choose to look at a situation or experience positively, and that will change everything."
"I try to live the moment, but honestly - whatever happens, the day after I'm home, eating curry with my mom, dad, sisters, family, my grandfather, and just watching TV, can no longer wait for it."
Eurovision is an international competition, we are in a country that does not really speak English, you must have known people from many different countries, you learned words in other languages?
"I try! I learn fast I think, but I have to admit, I feel really dumb when I'm next to people who speak fluent English like you."
I got a compliment from Sam Ryder!
I'll pass this on to my two followers on Tiktok.
Did you get to know our representative, Michael Ben David?
"Yes, really briefly on the turquoise carpet, he is really kind and dresses perfectly, he has good energies. I have not seen the song yet, because when I agreed to do Eurovision I promised myself not to see anything online, do not look for anything, and do not listen to any song until you see "How many times have you had discounts on people before you met? We do it all the time and I did not want to let it ruin the experience."
In the final on Saturday we can not vote for ourselves, so I will teach you to ask our spectators to vote for you in Hebrew, ready?
"Vote for me, vote for me in the UK! I bow to you and all the amazing people watching this, I want to thank you for the tremendous support, not only at the Eurovision Song Contest, but for all this time from the closures, the sharing of videos from my room with your family and friends, I was not "Here without it, so I hope to see you soon in a show that sings our soul together."
The interview was courtesy of Warner Music, which represents Sam Ryder in Israel
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Eurovision 2022
