In an unexpected twist during the pre-selection rounds for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Janine, a 25-year-old competitor, revealed intriguing personal experiences and surprising revelations about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the event. The showcase "Chefsache ESC 2025" presented Janine and 23 other acts as they vied for the coveted ticket to represent Germany in the international competition.
Janine is best remembered for her creative rendition of Elvis Presley’s classic "Can't Help Falling in Love," during which she humorously laughed out loud—much to the audience's amusement—after just 1 minute and 18 seconds of her live performance. Reflecting on this spontaneous moment in the "ESC Nerds" podcast, she shared her realization of the surreal situation, noting, "It was indeed at that moment that I realized what I was doing, and I wondered, ‘Janine, what are you actually doing here?’" The giggles ensued as she looked out into the audience, and her laughter became a memorable highlight of the evening.
Interestingly, Janine’s journey to the spotlight was somewhat chaotic. Originally engaged in a world trip with her boyfriend Marius, she found herself recording her application video in a hotel room in Japan. After returning to Germany mid-trip to partake in the competition, she faced an abrupt reality. "I had to figure out what to do next soon after I arrived. I had no apartment or anything lined up!" said Janine. Now settling temporarily in Frankfurt, she expressed that despite being eliminated in the semifinals, she perceives her participation as a valuable experience.
The vaccine also brought some disappointment as Janine watched fellow competitors Abor & Tynna secure the coveted ticket to Eurovision with their track "Baller," set to represent Germany on May 17, 2025.
Furthermore, Janine's song "Who I Am," penned for the Eurovision competition, is expected to be released soon. Unfortunately, the rules dictated that she could not perform original songs during her semifinal round, as the event allowed only cover performances after that stage.
Another fascinating aspect of her experience involves the renowned music producer and head juror of the competition, Stefan Raab. Janine first encountered him during the dress rehearsals in the week leading up to the show. "He didn’t really interact with me much; I only saw him flitting around the studio," she remarked, stating that he provided no personalized advice or feedback to her. The show’s team encouraged her to remain true to her style along the way.
Rumors swirled around Raab's hidden influence during the auditions, with whispers indicating he was lurking behind a black wall, observing the talent. "You’re telling me he was actually sitting right there?" an astonished Janine responded when informed about the speculation. "I’d heard there was a black wall, and it was unclear exactly who was behind it, so we were all guessing who might be there. It’s intriguing to know there was thought he might have been present."
Meanwhile, the entertainment community has been abuzz with discussions surrounding Raab’s comments during the broadcast. One such moment reportedly left audience members in shock during his remarks regarding the voting demographics at Eurovision. He declared, "Many women vote at the ESC, and they only like sentimental songs," invoking outrage among fans and critics alike. ESC expert Rick, part of the "ESC Bite" podcast, expressed his discontent. "This comment put the whole audience into shock,” he said. “It was clear that the crowd was stunned, thinking, ‘Did he really just say that?’” This statement didn’t sit well, particularly with band members from the participating acts and other Eurovision enthusiasts.
Band member Jenny Diehl from the group Feuerschwanz voiced her disagreement strongly, stating, "What surprised me was Raab's claim that women only prefer ‘soft ballads.’ There are so many powerful and talented women in the metal community. It’s disappointing that such a dated stereotype still prevails in 2025.” This sentiment resonates with many others who feel that Raab's view overlooks the diversity in musical tastes among women and the broader ESC audience.
With heightened engagement and fervor surrounding both Janine's intriguing behind-the-scenes insights and the controversial remarks made by Raab, the road to the Eurovision Song Contest looks intriguingly eventful. While Janine’s journey continues, fans eagerly await the release of her original song and the upcoming competition where Abor & Tynna will represent Germany. As the event unfolds, the spotlight remains bright on the dynamics of the Eurovision pre-selection and the powerful narratives stemming from it.
