WV16 NF: PAOLO MENEGUZZI
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Swiss-Italian singer Paolo Meneguzzi is no stranger to the competition scene. In 2008, he represented Switzerland at Eurovision in Belgrade with the song "Era Stupendo", finishing 13th overall in his semifinal. In the same year, he competed in the San Remo Festival in Italy where he placed sixth overall (he participated twice before, both finishing in the top 10). He decided to give WorldVision a try and entered the Swiss national final for WV16 to select the country's entry for Houston.
Among five artists competing for the honor, his song "Sei Amore" was considered a hot favorite and his performance on the night of the national final wowed the fans with his charm and talent. During the voting, he led for much of the process, with French duo and 2013 Eurovision Swiss final runner-up Carrousel following close behind. The dark horse was Basel electronica/house artist DJ Antoine, and his summer party anthem "Sky Is The Limit" came up through the middle by the end of voting in the closest finish yet seen in a national final. Antoine nabbed the ticket to Houston by 1 point over Paolo.
"It was close," he said to Swiss Sounds when we met up with him in Liverpool where he was watching Robert Miles perform at WV17, "but I am happy that I will get another chance to show off my song. People loved it the first time, so I wonder if they will love it again. I would really like to prove myself on the WorldVision stage and share my music with all the international fans."
We'll see if he will make that possibility a reality.
Paolo missed the ticket to Houston by 1 point. Will he finally get his chance to shine at WV19?