Hind, the Dutch representative in Belgrade, performed in a special Eurovision broadcast of Dutch TV show 'Life And Cooking' yesterday. Right after, the cheerful singer took the time to talk with esctoday.com about her forthcoming Eurovision participation.
What have you been doing the past few weeks and what will your agenda look like these last days before taking off to Belgrade?
'Oh, I've been very busy with my theatre tour. Besides that I've been rehearsing thestage performancefor The Eurovision Song Contest. The video clip for Yourheart belongs tome was shot and the cd single has just been released. This week we'll continue to rehearse the dance routines and I will have some more radio and tv interviews. It's all very exciting!'
Can you tell us something about your stage performance?
'I willbe accompanied by3 backing vocals on stage: Peggy Sandaal, Ellen Eeftink and Carolina Dijkhuizen. Besides that there will be 2 dancers on stage: Dominique Monpellier and Deniz Kumas. The choreographer of the act is Richard Rodermond, whohas someEurovision experience himself as well. Back in 2000, he was a dancer for Linda Wagenmakers.'
Do you consider your participation in The Eurovision Song Contest as the highlight in your career until so far?
'Well, it certainly is one of the highlights! Back in 2003, my participation in the first edition of Idols was a highlight as well. But back then I was still a young girl. Now I've grown older, so I consider my participation in The Eurovision Song Contest as a highlightbeingan adult. I'm extremely proud to represent my country in the Eurovision Song Contest and I still don't realise how many people will be watching me on May 20th. Hundreds ofmillions will watch the contest; can you imagine that!'
Have you listened to the other songs already? If so, who are your favourites?
'Yes, I listened to most of the songs and I really like the Armenian entry. I don't remember all of them, butI think I will have plenty of time tohear to them again in Belgrade. It's hard though to predict who's gonna win the contest.'
How about your own chances? Do you think you will qualify for the final?
'I really don't know! I hope to qualifyfor the final of course, that would be a victory already! However, I know it will be hard. We sent some great singers with good songs who just didn't make it. I really think Glennis Grace and Edsilia Rombley should have been in the final. I will do the best I can in Belgrade, but that still doesn't mean you'll proceed to the final automatically. The most important thing for me is to be happy with the performance I gave!'
You didn't do a promo tour around Europe unlike many other participants. Why not?
'Too be honest with you: I just didn't know about these promo tours! I would have loved to do it, really! However, nobody told me about it. Of course,I was very busy as well with my theatre tour. The invitation from NOS to take part in The Eurovision Song Contestcame right after I had planned my tour, so it would have been extremely difficult to fit it in anyway. I would have lovedto dosome international promo visits though!'
What are your plansafter The Eurovision Song Contest?
'Oh, that's an easy one: finishing my new album, Little girls grow up! It has been postponed several times already; so many things came in between!6 songs have been recordeduntil so farand I really want the cd album to be in stores in November.'
Thanks for this interview and we wish you all the best on May 20!
