Hind, the Dutch representative in Belgrade next year, had a busy week. She was invited for many radio and TV stations to talk about her forthcoming participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Here are the highlights of Hind's media appearances:
Last Friday, right after the Dutch press conference, Hind turned up in Pauw en Witteman, probably the most famous talkshow in the Netherlands at the moment. Hindhad to struggle throughsome tough questions, as the hosts' points of view onthe Eurovision Song Contest were far from positive. They were impressed though by Hind's vocal performance at the end of the show, which was received very well by the audience.
This week, Hind appearedon the Dutch breakfast show Goedemorgen Nederland as well. She said that she could feel the pressure already. Everybody expects you to make it to the final, Hind explained: "It's very exciting and I will do everything I can to make it to the final!" After watching some videoclips of former winners, Hind revealed that she liked Lordi back in 2006. And aboutthis year's winner:"The girl who wonthe Eurovision SongContest thisyear was really awesome! Her song was brilliant, the song was very good. She really didn't need those backing vocals at all!"
About her song for Belgrade she says: "Quality is the most important thing for me. It can be a pop song or a ballad, as long as it's pure." Hind also stated that there might be some Arabic influences in the song. Being asked if she felt that she represents the Moroccan community as well, Hind was clear: "I don't feel it like that. I'm just a singer, I make music for everybody; not only for Moroccan people."
Hind was interviewed this week by several radio stations as well. Monday she was a guest in De Ochtenden, a daily show on Radio 1. Today she was interviewed byDutch djJeroen van Inkel on radio station Q-Music.
First of all, Jeroen van Inkelwanted to knowif the dress for Belgrade was designed already. Hind responded with a cheerful 'no' to that: "It all depends on the song, but I won't wear a dress with an up tempo song." When being asked if she thought she could do better than Edsilia Rombley, Hind said the following: "Well, it's a big challenge of course. It goes without saying that my goal is to reach the final, but I don't have too high expectations. In that case i won't be too disappointed when it doesn't happen." Van Inkel asked her about 'political voting'in the contest as well. Hind stated that she's not worried about that: "When Icome up witha good song, give a steady performanceand when the act is alright; I don't have to fearpolitical voting."
The Dutch/Moroccan singeralso revealed her own favourite Eurovision Song Contestentries in Jeroen van Inkel's show. Her personal favourite Dutch entries are Hemel en Aarde, performed by Edsilia Rombley in 1998, and Vrede, the Dutch entry in 1993, performed by Ruth Jacott."I recently found out that one of my all time favourite singers participated once in the Eurovision Song Contest. A couple of weeks ago I was watching old Eurovision tapes and I saw Dulce Pontes represent Portugal in the 1991 contest. That was such a surprise and I loved the song!", Hind concluded.
