Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

One of the most interesting and exotic performers in the national finals of 2012 is no doubt Austria's Conchita Wurst. He shot to the fame as his original Tom Neuwirth in Starmania 2007 reality that was won by none other than Nadine Beiler Tom being the runner up - is it time for his revenge? Even as Tom he had charm and most of all the voice: You're not alone , This is my life , Everything and Goldfinger . Then he grew his beard and hair, added some make up and wore a dress and mesmerized in Die Grosse Chance, another reality as Conchita: My heart will go on , I'll be there and original and absolutely fabulous Unbreakable , that could also be his Eurovision entry. If so, my clear favourite so far! She's a bit of a Dana International but with a voice, isn't she?

Austria will be in Baku 2012 as ORF is happy with their result in 2011 when they returned for the first time since 2007. The selection process will be more or less the same as in 2011 as well. There will be a pre-selection on Hitradio Ö3 and then televized live final in February. Besides the winner Nadine Beiler and her The secret is love we also had a goodie like Klimmstein's Paris Paris . Let's see what the Austrians offer us this time around!

Bosnia-Herzegovina selected internally one of the best songs of the season, Dino Merlin's Love in rewind . But in Austria they did have a national selection and pretty good it was, too, to mark country's welcome return to Eurovision. Nadine Beiler's The secret is love charmed many and sailed to the final and we were all happy for them. Another good choice might have been Paris, Paris by Klimmstein ft. Joe Sumner. It may have been labelled as novelty act but it is a fun song, a bit like L'amour à la Francaise in Helsinki 2007. And the fact Sting's son Joe Sumner was doing most of the singing would have created a media buzz. Besides, they have one of the best videos of the season!

The Finnish commentator Tarja Närhi was joking about Austria's Nadine Beiler last night as the Finnish bride and daughter-in-law but today the papers are reporting also the Austrian commentator was talking about the romance between the two artists who were seen spending time together already in Amsterdam's Eurovision in concert earlier this year... Do we have this year's Eurovision romance? Axel aka Paradise Oskar comments in Ilta-Sanomat: "Oh so they say? Of course I know Nadine, we met already in Amsterdam. She's nice. We have talked even here." You make the math.... Is the answer love or da da dam? (Remember last year Malta's Thea Garrett and Poland's Marcin Mrozinski?)

The first semifinal countries have finished their technical rehearsals and we go on with the second semifinal and first is of course Bosnia-Herzegovina . And it's a perfect start, all looks and sounds great. The back screen looks pretty in red velvet that turns into the children's carousel and some hearts every now wand then. They have further polished their act dropping more of the weird steps and stuff and it sure does look like a winner. All is fine. If there will be a close run and several countries in the running for victory like in 2003 this will be one of them. And may end up doing Turkey at the last vote.  Austria follows with another strong contender. The Austrian Mireille Mathieu surely can fill the arena with her voice and carry this tune that may not be the greatest to the final just by the power of it. Beautiful. Austria is back with a bang and in final. From one great voice to another when the Netherlands take the stage. They are wearing their mafia suits to the...

Beautiful presentation for Austria. Nadine sings on a diamond with her gospely choir in a little distance. She has mighty vocals and I just love the sound of the choir. Maybe this song is just another Disney ballad but it comes alive on stage. One could compare this a bit with San Marino; both have the same approach but where Sammarinese maybe fail, Austria triumphs.  The Nadine in the spotlight effect is stunning a la Patricia Kaas. Looking like a young Mireille Mathieu. And the background has sparkly diamonds... Great job! This second semifinal starts with a bang! Austria so deserves a spot in the final line up! Here are the videos: AKOE , Escdaily , Official

Some 200.000 people gathered in the main square of Kyiv to the farewell concert of Mika Newton before she heads to Düsseldorf. She had invited along Austria's Nadine Beiler , Moldova's Zdob si Zdub, Azerbaizan's Nikki and Eldar , Amaury Vassili from France and United Kingsom's Blue making this a real treat. The artists of course shared compliments and will meet again in Germany next week. Watch the artists perform in a beautiful city scenery here .

Bulgaria - Poli Genova - Na inat **** I'm not crazu for this song but I must admit it has been one of the most played ones in my head. The chorus just kicks in when you least expect it. Is that a sign of a hidden catchiness? Will the televoters go for this? She's got the look and Pink-esque stage presense and I love the piano playing here and there. We might be in for a Bulgarian surprise? Qualifier: Yes. Austria - Nadine Beiler - The secret is love **** Ok, it's Disney but I don't think it's sugary. It's beautiful. She sings it nicely and when the gospel choir kicks in at 2 minutes I'm in love. Not a fan favourite I know but I like it. And this might just have a wider audience than we think now and make Austria reach the final since forever. But she needs a new look and haircut. Badly. Qualifier: I think so.  Armenia - Emmy - Boom boom * Such a shame they chose this crap when they had something good in the selection as well. This is boring and annoying bu...

Good heavens that umpa umpa umpa didn't win! I was calling out for a powerballad yesterday and Lithuania surely didn't convince me but this Austrian one could become one.... The secret is love. The song grows rather wonderfully and the gospel choir in all its Disney like majesty is rather impressive. Me likes after all! 1. Nadine Beiler - The Secret Is Love 2. Trackshittaz/Lukas Plöchl - Oida Taunz! 3. Klimmstein feat. Joe Sumner - Paris, Paris