Singer Tom Leeb, who was supposed to represent France in Eurovision 2020 that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, declares in a harsh statement that participating in Eurovision was a mistake for him. What led the singer to feel this way following participation in a Eurovision that ultimately did not happen?
The French national broadcaster internally selected singer Tom Leeb to represent France at Eurovision 2020, which was supposed to take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Tom was set to perform the song “Mon Alliée (The Best In Me)” on stage about five years ago, but the world had other plans. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that broke out worldwide in early 2020, the 65th Eurovision Song Contest scheduled for that year was canceled for the first time in its history. Now, five years later, the French singer admits that participating in Eurovision was a mistake. What led him to make such a strange statement, given that the Eurovision he was supposed to take part in never happened?
Tom Leeb’s Perspective on Eurovision
In an interview with the French weekly magazine Télé 7 Jours, Tom Leeb stated that for him, participating in Eurovision was a mistake, and he doesn’t regret saying so. Regarding the nature of his participation in the contest, he said: “I wrote what was in my heart, without compromise. It wasn’t always like that.” According to the singer, Eurovision didn’t suit him and required him to sing what suited others, not what suited him: “I tried to do things that spoke to people and not to me. It was a mistake.”
The Decision Not to Return in 2021
Ultimately, the singer decided not to compete in Eurovision 2021 for France, despite many singers chosen to represent their countries in 2020 returning to Eurovision 2021, which took place a year later in Rotterdam, the host city that was originally supposed to host the canceled Eurovision. Alexandra Redde-Amiel, head of entertainment at the French national broadcaster, explained Tom’s decision not to return to Eurovision as follows: “By mutual agreement, after many discussions, we understood that with his schedule and the different thoughts we had, it was very complicated to plan Eurovision 12 months ahead.”
The Challenges of Eurovision for Artists
Eurovision can be a very challenging and even unsettling experience for many artists. Eurovision, by its nature as a competition and a huge televised event, takes away artists’ artistic freedom to some extent and commits them to an intensive, rigorous experience that allows limited self-expression. Many artists use the Eurovision platform to celebrate themselves, gain fame, and realize their artistic style and national culture on the competition stage. However, quite a few Eurovision representatives struggle to fit into this framework and come out of it exhausted, disappointed, and confused (even without relation to the controversial Malmö 2024 edition).
It’s strange to hear such harsh words from a Eurovision representative who didn’t even get to experience the full Eurovision experience and ultimately didn’t represent France in the competition on stage in Rotterdam, as Eurovision was canceled about two months after his announcement as France’s representative. We should remember that after he announced he wouldn’t represent France at Eurovision 2021, the French national broadcaster held a national selection, which resulted in Barbara Pravi being chosen to represent France in the competition in Rotterdam, where she finished second with the song “Voilà”.
France at Eurovision 2024
“Mon amour” is the name of the song performed by singer Slimane, who represented France in the grand final of Eurovision 2024. The song won fourth place, after receiving 445 points.
Source: Journal des femmes
Eurovision 2025: This will be France’s 68th participation in Eurovision. France joined the competition in 1956 and has won it five times over the years. France’s last victory was in Eurovision 1977 with the song “L’Oiseau et l’Enfant” performed by singer Marie Myriam.