Georgia at Eurovision 2025: About a week after Mariam Shengelia was chosen as Georgia’s representative, Nini Iris, the candidate who had been marked as the central name to represent Georgia since the beginning of the Eurovision season, speaks out and reveals her side, as well as the song that could have represented Georgia in Basel.
The international Georgian singer Nini Iris was one of the central names marked as candidates to represent Georgia at Eurovision. She was the favorite among Georgian fans, and insiders indicated that she had indeed submitted a song to the Georgian internal committee. After the discussions about Iris, Georgia fell silent, and speculation began about the country’s possible withdrawal from the competition, until last Friday when Mariam Shengelia’s selection with the song “Freedom” was announced. Many of Iris’s fans wondered what had happened along the way, and how it was possible that despite being marked at such an early stage, she was ultimately not chosen to represent the country in the competition.
Last night, Nini Iris broke her silence and decided to release a video explaining her involvement in the selection process. She confirmed that she had indeed submitted a song for Eurovision 2025, titled “Release Me,” which was co-written with Jason Mater, a songwriter who has previously been nominated for an Emmy Award. The Georgian committee refused to accept the song. Afterwards, Iris didn’t give up, stating that despite the song being very personal and close to her heart, she is willing to collaborate on creating another song to represent Georgia at Eurovision.
Iris was ultimately rejected by the national broadcaster altogether, and Mariam Shengelia was chosen instead. The song “Release Me” is set to be released as a single by Iris on April 25th, with a short preview available for those who pre-register.
Even before Iris released her video, the internet was buzzing – Georgia is in the midst of a severe political crisis, with an allegedly pro-Russian party now in power. Many Eurovision fans claim that Mariam Shengelia is a supporter of the ruling party, and that’s why she was chosen to represent Georgia. Shengelia has never addressed the allegation of being a supporter of the ruling party, but she has denied any connection to a screenshot circulated online accusing her of LGBTQ+ hatred and anti-Ukrainian sentiment.
Georgia at Eurovision 2025:
“Freedom” is the title of the song that will be performed by Mariam Shengelia, who will represent Georgia in the second half of the second semi-final of Eurovision 2025, which will take place on May 15th in Basel, Switzerland. The song was composed by Keti Gabisiani and written by Buka Kartozia. This is the first song of the creators in the Eurovision competition. The song is performed in both Georgian and English.
The track conveys a powerful message of liberty, homeland, and optimism. It begins with the word “freedom” in Georgian, with the lyrics vividly describing nature and self-identity. Mariam sings of the fragrance of grass, the morning dew in the sky, and the yearning for freedom, drawing a heartfelt bond between her country and the soul of the people. The song radiates deep affection for Georgia, portraying it as the sole homeland held within the heart, much like the sun’s warmth that shines upon both the mountains and seas. As the song unfolds, it expresses hope and resolve, following the path ahead with trust. The imagery of a clear, blue sky and a sea that is both calm and stormy strengthens the emotional resonance of the track. The lyrics highlight an unwavering, pure love for both freedom and country, with Mariam proclaiming that she desires no other riches.
Georgia is currently ranked 26th in the betting odds tables.
Mariam Shengelia – Who are you?
Mariam Shengelia is a talented Georgian singer who has captured the hearts of many with her powerful voice and stage presence. She first gained national recognition in 2018 as a semi-finalist on X-Factor Georgia, showcasing her incredible vocal abilities and captivating audiences across the nation.
In 2019, Mariam continued her journey to stardom by finishing sixth in Georgian Idol, a highly competitive contest that aimed to select Georgia’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. Although the Eurovision event was ultimately cancelled, Mariam’s performance left a lasting impression, earning her a place among the top talents in Georgia.
Mariam’s talents were once again put to the test in 2021 when she reached the semi-finals of The Voice of Georgia, another prominent music competition that highlighted her versatility as an artist. Not only does she excel in music, but Mariam also demonstrated her wide-ranging skills by becoming a finalist on Dancing With The Stars Georgia in 2024, proving her ability to shine both on stage and in the spotlight.
Beyond her flourishing entertainment career, Mariam is dedicated to her studies in Political Science at Tbilisi State University, reflecting her desire to make a broader impact in her community. She is also a passionate Young European Ambassador, actively promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, further emphasizing her dedication to both her artistic and intellectual growth.
Source: Nini Iris, Wiwibloggs
Eurovision 2025: This will be Georgia’s 17th participation in Eurovision. Georgia joined the competition in 2007 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2010 and Eurovision 2011 after finishing ninth twice.
