Quebec-born singer La Zarra has been chosen to represent France at the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Liverpool in May.
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This was announced at a press conference in Paris on Thursday.
La Zarra, whose real name is Fatima Zarha Hafdi, who is participating in the City of Light, was obviously happy, but also aware of the weight on the shoulders of the artists wearing the tricolor during this competition, followed by more than 250 million spectators.
“Expectations are high. I’m touched, but it’s a big responsibility, there’s a lot of stress,” she admits.
It is the first time since New Brunswick star Natasha St-Pier was elected in 2001 that France, whose last Eurovision triumph dates back to 1977, has pinned its hopes on a Canadian artist. La Zarra becomes the first Quebecer to carry the hopes of the French.
TOMA ICZKOVITS/QMI AGENCY
Natasha St Pier
For its part, Switzerland challenged Quebecers Celine Dion, Grand Champion of 1988 as many remember, and Annie Cotton, third at Eurovision 1993.
A French cliché
Still little known in Quebec but finalist at the last ADISQ Gala in the category “Revelation of the Year”, La Zarra has been in France for a lot since the release of her first album “Traitrise” and in particular her song “You will go away”. a topic of conversation that has more than twenty million plays on Spotify.
According to the singer, the head of the French delegation to the Eurovision Song Contest, Alexandra Redde-Amiel, had been courting her for two years.
“I wasn’t ready. I’ve produced my first album, it takes a lot of time and the Eurovision adventure isn’t just for two weeks. »
When Alexandra Redde-Amiel returned to the top a few months ago, La Zarra was ready. In addition, he was avoided the stage of the state selection. She just had to say yes.
Quebec newspaper
La Zarra
“It’s a decision I didn’t take lightly because it can be wonderful or disastrous for me. Alexandra Redde really fell in love with my character. I quote her by saying that she found there a cliché à la française that other countries expect of France. »
A song that will surprise
Even if the Eurovision takes place in four months, the preparations are underway. With the help of collaborators Benny Adam and Banx & Ranx, the same people who created You Will Go Away With Her, La Zarra is in the process of refining the original song that she hopes to seduce the judges and viewers with.
“We managed to write a surprising song. There’s a mix of genres like on my album, with a musical side that I hadn’t explored,” states La Zarra, aware of the benefits of such a showcase for her burgeoning career.
“All the artists that have done Eurovision have had a nudge in their career. It’s then easier to fill spaces and market for my record label. »
The singer will therefore spend all her time in Europe from Eurovision. She is considering returning to Quebec later this year to play concerts there.