Tamara Todevska: I am who I am and I am proud of that!

Photo: Cedopopovski

Hello everybody, time to post a new interview. We danced to her "Let me love you" in 2008, she joined (her sister) Tijana's team in 2014 and now she is back to sing us a song from her heart. Here are Tamara's answers:
Name: Tamara
Birthday: 1.6.1985
Height: Tall enough 😊
Favorite color: Hmm. Cannot decide 😊
Favorite food: Italian
Where are you right now? At home
3 things that make you happy: My two children, my incredible husband and music.
What’s your strangest talent? I sleep a lot 😊
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A diaper 😊
What are you really good at? Singing.
What are you really bad at? Being on time.
Childhood idol: Sinead O’Connor.
Childhood memory: Telling my mom that I want to cut my hair like Sinead O’Connor.
Celebrity crush: Ashamed to say 😊
What were you afraid of when you were a child? Heights, and I still am.
Tell me something no one knows about you: I cry when I listen to Proud 😊
Favorite movie: Too many, so hard to choose.
Favorite TV series: Beverly Hills 90210 😊
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Scarlett Johansson maybe?
What would the title of that movie be? Never on time.
What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate.
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? I would pray to be a girl.
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Masters At Work feat. India - I Can't Get No Sleep
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Macedonian artist? So many great songs. Youtube Tose Proeski, Karolina Goceva, Kaliopi, Elena Risteska…all of them have amazing songs.
Can you teach us some interesting words in Macedonian? Gorda- means Proud

Photo: Cedopopovski

Hello Tamara, welcome back to Eurovision!
Thank you! It is so good to be back!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I just love music and I cannot imagine living my life without it. I mostly perform pop music but I also love house music. My best friend Zoki Baby who is a very famous DJ a couple of years ago played Masters At Work feat. India - I Can't Get No Sleep and from the first second I fell in love with it and started dreaming of becoming a house music diva. 😊 Little did I know that years later I would perform together with Little Louie Vega in New York. Talking about dreams coming true.

Can we go back to 2008 for a bit? What do you remember the most and what did you learn from that experience?
Being on that stage was the most magical moment in my life. Eurovision has been ever present in my life so to share that stage with some of the most amazing people in my life was a dream come true.

The only thing I am wondering myself is – why does my hair look like that and why did I choose that dress? 😊 Other than that, it was the most incredible experience of my professional life.

You were selected to represent your country again this year. How did it all begin?
I had just given birth to my son when I got the call from our national broadcaster and I said yes immediately. Mostly because I feel that at this point in my life, I am more mature, more experienced and I got much more to say.

Photo:  Bojan Stoikovski

I am living life on my terms now and  I do not allow the opinions of others to define me. I am who I am and I am proud of that!

“Proud” is the title of your song, it was written and composed by Kosta Petrov, Sanja Popovska, Robert Bilbilov, Lazar Cvetkoski and Darko Dimitrov. How was it to work with them?
We are the most incredible team – we are truly one and in sync all the time. They are the most amazing people and I feel so blessed to be working with them.

What’s the story behind the song?
I am a mother of two: a three-year-old girl and a three-month-old boy. I know it sounds like a cliché, but they truly changed my life and I feel, both, as a mother and as a parent, that it is my responsibility and OUR responsibility to bring positive change to our children's lives.

My whole life I have been told that I wasn’t girly enough, good enough, that I walked and acted like a man. Lower your head, put something sexy on, no one cares what you really think, they would say. You see, in their minds, I was just another lost girl.

Today, as I look at my daughter, I want her to grow up in a world where people will not judge her, tell her how to act, smile and move. I want her to know that she doesn’t have to follow the rules to be accepted. I want her to be whoever she wants to be and most importantly, be proud of who she is. That’s the least I can do for her.

I dedicate Proud to her and to everyone out there fighting for their dreams and living life to the fullest on their own terms. 

Although many call it a feminist anthem Proud is a song for everyone that has been told to put their head down, to follow society rules that make no sense in the 21st century and to everyone embracing their greatness and believing in themselves, no matter what people around them say. 

Through the song, I want to break these society rules and at least for one night in the year to show the world that I AM PROUD is always stronger than their YOU WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH!

Describe the song with 4 words:
Emotions
Goosebumps
Tears
Pride

Photo: Cedopopovski

I know you cant say much about it but can you give us a little hint about the performance?
I have a great team working with me on my Eurovision performance and I truly cannot wait for May 16th to come so you can see what we have prepared for you.

Tell me about the official video of “Proud”:
The video for PROUD includes cameos by some of the women that inspire me on daily basis. They are women that are changing the rules of what it means to be a woman in North Macedonia and they are a proof that a woman can be whatever she wants to be. And of course, my daughter is also featured in the video because the song is dedicated to her.

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition? Any favorite?
There are so many great songs and artists and I cannot wait to meet all of them. They are all winners in my eyes.

What do you like about Eurovision?
You see, for me, Eurovision has never been about entering the finals, being in the top 10 or even winning. Eurovision, to me, has always been so much more than that!
Eurovision is about accepting the different, defying the norms and being proud of who you are, just the way you are. Eurovision is that one night in the year when the entire continent comes together to celebrate boldness, bravery and individuality! It is the place where being different means being PROUD.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
That the performance lasts only 3 minutes. They go so fast. I wish we could be on that stage longer 😊

Photo: Cedopopovski

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Nightmare: My hair in 2008.
Tijana: The most incredible sister in the world.
Pancakes: My fitness trainer screaming at me 😊
Fear: Heights.
Music: Proud.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Be proud of yourself and never hide your greatness.

Thanks to Tamara for the interview, I loved her answers and I cannot wait to see her perform Proud on the ESC stage!

Facebook: tamaratodevska
Instagram: tamaratodevska
Twitter: tamaratodevska

Armenia 2019: Srbuk

Photo: Lusine Grigoryan

The Armenian entry is called "Walking out" and it will be performed by Srbuk:

Look at Armenia coming with one of the most modern songs in this years line up! Love her look, love her voice and the song is solid!

Malta 2019: Michela

This is "Chameleon", the Maltese entry:

Beautiful visuals! The song is a bit generic but interesting at the same time, I think it will do well.

Israel 2019: Kobi Marimi

Photo: Ronen Akerman

This is "Home", the song that will represent Israel this year:

I like his voice a lot, but I think he deserved a better song.

Russia 2019: Sergey Lazarev

Photo: Daniil Velichko

Lazarev is back and his entry is called "Scream":

Well...this sounds better than his 2016 entry even though Im not sure which one of those 2 I prefer. This is very pretentious and like just there (Where is the chorus?) I cant wait to see the subtle staging they are preparing for us but Im sure he will do a great job, he is a very good performer.

Azerbaijan 2019: Chingiz

Here is "Truth", the song that will represent Azerbaijan this year:

What is happening this year with the hot guys? Damn! I was expecting a better song tbh, I find it a bit soulless, I have no interest in listening to it again but it might come to live on stage.

Sweden 2019: John Lundvik

Photo: Peter Wixtröm

The winner of Melodifestivalen 2019 is John Lundvik with "Too late for love":

This performance and song gets you clapping along and that's a good sign, props to John and his team for bringing those 4 TALENTED women on stage with him cause they are everything and I cant wait to see them rock the stage in Tel Aviv!

Macedonia 2019: Tamara Todevska

Photo: Stoilkovski Bojan

Another familiar face, this is "Proud", the Macedonian entry:

Aw this is a nice entry, the lyrics are full of cliches but it has heart and I like that.

Poland 2019: Tulia

Here is the song that will represent Poland this year: Fire of Love (Pali się)

I really like this, not sure how it will do but they will for sure be one of the most interesting acts of the year.

Austria 2019: PAENDA

Photo: Christina Horn

This is the Austrian entry, Limits by PAENDA:

Lovely voice and the song is alright but it would need an interesting staging to make me excited about it.

Ireland 2019: Sarah McTernan

This is the Irish entry, 22 by Sarah McTernan:

I dont dislike it but it's kinda random.

Switzerland 2019: Luca Hänni

Photo: Anelia Janeva

Here is the song that will represent Switzerland in may: She got me by Luca Hänni.

She got him dirty dancing and he got me thinking dirty things, henny! I like it, not a winner but a pretty feel good entry!

Belarus 2019: ZENA

Photo: Ольга Данилюк

This is the Belarusian entry for Eurovision 2019: Like it by Zena

Where is the live version of this? I have the feeling it wasn't good...anyway I think this song is kinda basic but I don't hate it.

The Netherlands 2019: Duncan Laurence

This is the song that will represent The Netherlands in may: Arcade by Duncan Laurence.

BABY! This is quality and I'm so excited about it! It's just one of those songs that take you into their inner world and makes you part of it, I LOVED IT! Duncan, you better bring it on stage cause I wouldn't mind to see this winning! Go The Netherlands!

San Marino 2019: Serhat

Serhat is back and here is his song for this year: Say na na na

I was ready to say nah nah nah but this is so much better than his 2016 entry, so good job Mr!

Greece 2019: Katerine Duska

Here is the song that will represent Greece in Tel Aviv: Better love

She has such a beautiful voice, I'm sure it will sound even better live! This is different approach from Greece and I don't dislike it.

Cyprus 2019: Tamta

Here is the song that will represent Cyprus in Tel Aviv: Replay by Tamta.

Well it seems like Cyprus liked the taste of success! This is very catchy and surprisingly there is nothing like it in the contest this year, it does have a Fuego flavor but I'm still here for it. I have no idea if Tamta will be able to sell this song on stage but I'm sure she and her team will do something good.

Serbia 2019: Nevena Božović

The winner of Beovizija 2019 is Nevena Božović with the song "Kruna":

• It's always nice to see a familiar face coming back to Eurovision and I think this is better than her 2013 entry, however I'm not very excited about it, it's just okay. (I prefer her JESC entry)

Georgia 2019: Oto Nemsadze

Here is the song that will represent Georgia this year, "Sul tsin iare" by Oto Nemsadze:

I really like his voice and the last part of the song is pretty interesting but sadly the first part bores me and that's not good cause you need people's attention right away.

Portugal 2019: Conan Osíris

Photo: Hélder White

The winner of Festival da Canção 2019 is Conan Osíris with the song "Telemóveis": 

I would like to start by saying a big good job to RTP, the team behind FdC, the artists and the songwriters cause this was one of the best NFs of the year and I'm so glad it had the perfect ending (Thanks to the Portuguese people who voted and the juries). I had Telemóveis on repeat after I heard it for the first time and my love for it grew stronger when I watched the performance (Which wasn't perfect but I still liked it a lot). I think Conan needs to trust himself as a performer a bit more and just let the song do it's job, I'm sure he will make Portugal very proud! I'm team telele! Go Portugal! Go Conan! 

Shout Out to:

Ana Cláudia

Mariana Bragada

Surma

NBC

Madrepaz

Norway 2019: KEiiNO

Photo: NRK

The winner of MGP 2019 is the song "Spirit in the sky" by KEiiNO:

When I heard this song for the first time I knew right away it was very eurovisiony but I really liked it. I can see it doing well like Denmark last year but there are some things they need to improve, 1. I think the performance could be more epic in a mysterious kind of way not a Saara Aalto way and 2. I'm not a joik expert but his solo part (not the chorus) sounded kinda pitchy so he needs to work harder on his vocals.

Iceland 2019: Hatari

The song that will represent Iceland this year is called "Hatrid mun sigra" and it will be performed by Hatari.

Look at Iceland going from Ari to Hatari! This is such a fucking awesome entry! When I heard the songs from the NF I thought this was the most daring one and then I watched their performance and what they did in stage was just out of this world. Either you love it or hate it, I think this will grab people for those 3 minutes and they will talk about it during/after the contest.

Moldova 2019: Anna Odobescu

Here is the song that will represent Moldova in Tel Aviv, "Stay" by Anna Odobescu:

She has a nice voice but this is a very forgettable entry.

Finland 2019: Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman

Photo: shotbywarila

Here is "Look away", the song that will represent Finland in may:

Well...I don't like this. I couldn't get through any of the 3 songs when they were released and I haven't watched the other 2 performances but apparently this one was the best so I wish them all the best.

Belgium 2019: Eliot

This is "Wake up", the song that will represent Belgium this year:

I heard the song yesterday and thought it was just okay but today Im feeling a bit more positive about it, it is a nice song and I hope Eliot performs it well.

Lithuania 2019: Jurijus

Photo: E. Blaževič/LRT

This is the act that will represent Lithuania in Tel Aviv: Jurijus with "Run with the lions"

Hmmm I don't dislike it but that doesn't mean that I like it, I just find it okay, not something to be excited about.

Hungary 2019: Joci Pápai

Photo: MTI/Mohai Balázs

The winner of A Dal 2019 is JOCI PÁPAI with Az én apám:

I liked a lot of songs in A Dal this year but most of them didn't wow me on stage and that is where Joci shines the most, he is such an honest artist, you can see he put his heart on everything he does and I'm glad to have him back in Eurovision this year!

Shout out to:

Szekér Gergő

Vavra Bence

AWS

Fuck! That was a brilliant performance! They deserved a much better Eurovision result!

Denmark 2019: Leonora

Photo: Henning Bagger

The winner of the 2019 DMGP is Leonora with the song "Love is forever" :

When I heard the DMGP 2019 songs this was the only one I liked, I'm so glad it worked on stage! This is an adorable little song and I hope Leonora could relax a bit more and just have fun during the performance cause that is what is going to sell the song the best.

Melodifestivalen 2019 - Deltävling 4: Jag måste ha dig i mitt liv

NU KÖR VI!

1.  Stormbringer - Pagan Fury

This was pretty nice, maybe a bit too ESC 2006/2008 but I liked it.

2.  Känner dig - Anton Hagman

There was nothing bad about this, maybe it was a bit low key for the contest but I wouldn't skip this song if it comes up on a playlist or the radio.

3. Torn - Lisa Ajax 

I think this is the best ballad in mello this year but there is something missing on stage, she is a good performer but I feel like this sober, minimalistic approach doesn't suit her.

4. I Do - Arvingarna 

The choreo/staging was a bit silly but I really liked it! What a fun, catchy song! Well done, guys!

5. On My Own - Bishara

A mello star is born and I think we have a winner. I do not like the song but he is fucking talented and sold it so well. I wish he could come back next year with a better track cause I'm sure he can do better than this.

6. Kärleken finns kvar - Ann-Louise Hanson 

She is a legend and this performance was lovely.

7. Too Late For Love - John Lundvik 

Yes! Last year John showed us what a talented singer he was and this year he brought a good song and a motherfucking gospel choir with him so I gotta say I'm very happy to see him back in the final. Go Lundvik!

THE RESULTS

7. Pagan Fury

6. Anton Hagman

5. Ann -Louise Hanson

ANDRA CHANSEN

Lisa Ajax

Arvingarna

FINAL

John Lundvik

Bishara

Photos: Olle Sporrong (Expressen)