CBC/Radio-Canada has unveiled the five finalists vying for the honour of representing Canada at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, to be held in Bulgaria next May.
Selected from 325 submissions, the five artists competing for the spot are former Star Académie winner William Cloutier, Acadian singer-songwriter Josiane (Josiane Comeau), JUNO Award-winning dance artist Rêve (Briannah Donolo), 2024 JUNO winner for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Talk (Nicholas Durocher), and Vancouver singer-songwriter Tyler Shaw.
The announcement was made during a live press conference featuring CBC and Radio-Canada executives, alongside the five finalists, Tuesday morning.
After narrowing down submissions to 15 artists, an expert jury shortlisted the final five based on Eurovision criteria, including vocal quality, stage presence, artistic experience, and international potential. The jury included Maurin Auxéméry (Montreal International Jazz Festival), choreographer Sam Chouinard, TV composer Orin Isaacs, CBC Eurovision specialist Shawn Myers, soprano Élisabeth St-Gelais, Radio-Canada Executive Vice-President Dany Meloul and CBC Executive Vice-President Doug Smith.
The decision now rests in the hands of the Canadian public, with music fans across the country able to watch performances and cast their votes, once a day for 10 days until Nov. 5. The winner will be announced in December.
“What we wanted to do today was to show Canada and the world…we mean business, that this is how we’re gonna show up for Eurovision, and we’re excited to take part, and we’re going to bring all of the over-the-top glitz and glamour, everything to our, our entry,” Jennifer Dettman, CBC’s Executive Director of Unscripted Content and Studios, told the press conference. “We’re gonna put our best foot forward. And with one of these incredibly talented artists, which we’re so proud…I think any one of them would be incredible and be so proud to have them represent Canada in our first year.”
Once the artist who’ll represent Canada is selected, the public broadcaster will work with the talent and their team to craft an original song and performance.
“I think that the focus is really about highlighting all of the incredible creatives that we have in Canada,” said Toronto-based Rêve. “I think that’s all about our goal, is to keep the story as Canadian as possible. And it’s not just the music, it’s not just the writers, it’s the costume designers, the people helping with staging. It’s the people helping with training. We have such an amazing community here in Canada, and I think all of us can say that we can’t wait to put even more of a spotlight on it. Not just on the music side, but, you know, as the creative package as a whole.”
Rêve described the contest – which has launched the careers of acts like ABBA, Måneskin, and boosted Celine Dion’s popularity in 1988 when she competed and won representing Switzerland – as the “Musical Olympics.”
“There are so many that just exploded onto the scene because of Eurovision. There is s much history there, and something that was said to us just today when we were standing backstage was, guys, this is already a part of history, which is so cool. So we’re already, us being in this room, we’re already there. But any one of us that gets to go to Bulgaria, who’s lucky enough to go, it’s so historic. It’s such a special opportunity. And we’re just, we’re just so excited.”
Ottawa-based Talk – whose 2023 single Run Away to Mars charted on Alternative radio in both Canada and the U.S. – said he’s ready to “put his entire being” into showing the world what Canadians can do.
“Look at all the greatest singers and musicians that have come out of Canada that are global stars,” he said. “I mean, we have such talented, talented people. Everyone on the stage right now with you is so mega talented and it’s time to show that it’s not a good idea to boss Canada around, speaking of certain people…that you don’t mess with us, and we’re winners, and I’m just so thrilled to be here among such talented people.”
