Belgium has officially chosen its representative for the upcoming Eurovision 2025, after Red Sebastian emerged victorious at the Eurosong 2025 event held on Saturday night. The announcement, made by presenter Peter Van de Veire, came after the singer garnered overwhelming support from both the jury and the public, finishing with an impressive score of 423 points—132 from the jury and 291 from public votes.
This year, the event was organized by the Flemish broadcaster VRT, which included performances from eight competing artists aiming to secure the coveted spot at the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to take place from May 13 to 17, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. Viewers were able to cast their votes via SMS or through the VRT MAX website during the live broadcast.
The competitors included well-known names such as Mentissa, who gained fame from her stint on "The Voice Kids," and soothing pop acts like Jelle van Dael and Stefanie Callebaut. Despite the high profile of other singers, Red Sebastian, whose real name is Seppe Herreman, captivated the audience with his dynamic performance of the techno track "Strobe Lights." This unique sound and style performed well against the expected favorites, pulling off what can be seen as quite the upset.
The voting system was split evenly—50% of the weight came from the public's votes, and the other 50% from the professional jury, which included former representatives and industry experts. This hybrid method of voting ensured both popular appeal and industry approval played significant roles.
Red Sebastian's ascent to the top of the Eurosong competition not only highlights his vocal abilities, developed through training at the conservatory, but also showcases his talent as a performer. He has previously gained experience as a participant on "Belgium’s Got Talent," which has provided him exposure and stage experience.
After his win, many are anticipating how he will fare on the European stage, especially as the competition rises among other nations. Currently, he ranks high with bookmakers, indicating strong public fascination and expectations surrounding his entry with "Strobe Lights." The optimistic outlook follows Belgium's last win at the contest, which dates back nearly four decades, prompting hopes for revival.
The competition consists of semi-finals taking place on May 13 and 15, with the grand finale set for May 17. Following his qualifications, Red Sebastian will represent Belgium during the first semi-final, competing directly against artists from various countries.
Meanwhile, the excitement does not seem likely to wane soon, with many Eurovision fans eager for updates as other countries reveal their representatives. The anticipation builds as Red Sebastian prepares for this monumental opportunity, which has the potential to substantially boost his career should he succeed on this international platform.
Red Sebastian joins the line-up of known competitors, with the French representative Louane recently announced, marking the countdown as countries finalize their entries. It will be interesting to see how this depth of talent and the lively atmosphere of the event translates on stage.
Overall, Red Sebastian stands ready to carry the Belgian flag with pride, aiming to break the longstanding winless streak and bring home another championship title with his electrifying track and performance skills. Only time will tell if he can achieve what many hope will be yet another cherished moment for Belgium at Eurovision.