The Cuban-Spanish singer Chanel, third classified in Eurovision 2022 with the song “SloMo”, the best result for Spain since 1995, she was happy at the end of the grand finale and declared that she felt “a winner before she left the stage” after “having given absolutely everything.”
“This has been a dream and right now we are realizing it,” he said about this “triumph” that he dedicated to all those who have sent him their support. “We have felt that energy,” said the artist, who has even received a message from the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.
Chanel wanted to dedicate her podium to her family, including the one that remains in Cuba and has followed the festival from the island. In honor of those roots, the father (Catalan) of this artist born in Havana and raised in Barcelona followed the gala from the stands with a giant Cuban flag, next to his brother who carried one from Spain. “In the mix is the essence,” she stressed.
? Eurovision sweeps audiences with Chanel and achieves the best share of the last 13 years https://t.co/TGOeZTToke
– THE COUNTRY (@el_pais) May 15, 2022
“I think it’s precious that Ukraine won. We have supported them from minute 1 and they seem incredible artists », he commented regarding the winners, the group Kalush Orchestra, driven by a wave of European solidarity due to the Russian invasion.
She did not want to comment, however, if, had this conflict not existed, the result of the festival could have been more beneficial for her: “We have no idea. We have been focused on our own.”
Chanel also had a few words for her predecessor in the classification, the British Sam Ryder, with whom she merged in a hug at the end of the gala and of whom she said that he is “a ‘gentleman’, a very beautiful person and an incredible artist ».
“Right now I am so soft at heart that I would say that I would return to Eurovision, but it is fair that others live this, which is incredible, but that you have to be very strong and have a team like this,” he added, before launching that stake for future editions to the author of «SloMo», Leroy Sánchez.
Along these lines, he also encouraged all the artists who want to follow in his footsteps in the next edition of Benidorm Fest: «Nothing has been written about cowards; art must always prevail, with humility and with heart».
His victory in that pre-selection for Eurovision was bittersweet, as it was full of comments about a possible “tongo” against his competitors.
«I always say that I don’t work for others, only for myself, for the team, not for bad energy from outside, only for good energy. And if mouths have been shut up, I have done nothing for it, just for a job that was born from the heart, “he said in this regard.
In her meeting with the press, Chanel learned that Spain has offered to host the festival in 2023 in case Ukraine cannot. “I would like anywhere, but Barcelona is my cradle and Madrid is my home,” she said when asked where she would like the venue to be.
The artist, who also vindicated her base as a theatrical performer (“Long live the musicals!” she exclaimed), received recognition from her choreographer, the American Kyle Hanagami, a previous collaborator with stars like Jennifer Lopez, who has said of the Cuban-Spanish that «represents a new generation of artist».
And now, after taking care of herself for weeks, she and her team acknowledged that they will burn tensions with a party in Turin (Italy) and with a whim that drives her crazy: “I’m going to eat a lot of chocolate… and paella.”
