Ruth Lorenzo has the X Factor for this year’s Eurovision
Published:There was a time when all former X Factor star Ruth Lorenzo had to worry about was whether Alexandra Burke had discovered her secret Toblerone stash, but as she prepares to sing for Spain, the 31-year-old is facing up to 25 fellow crooners hungry for something else – Eurovision success.
While debut single “Burn” charted at a less-than-impressive no.16 in her native Spain, the songstress is back with a new album entitled “Planeta Azul” and a new entry in the Europop competition.
Entitled “Dancing in the Rain” the Brunette’s Latin-pop-infused power ballad has all the hallmarks of a classic from a catchy chorus and pounding beat through to a rousing choir-backed conclusion that could bring down the house – Mariah Carey style – in Denmark.
And with a video featuring enough erotic rain-based antics to make even Shakira blush, Lorenzo is certainly one to watch this time round and is available at 25/1 to take home the crown.
Spain finished fifth last year and with their previous Eurovision success coming back in 1969, history suggests they could well be in line for top honours.
But the onetime X Factor contestant will face some stiff competition from a relatively unknown opponent – Armenia.
Having only arrived on the scene back in 2006, the Eastern European nation has managed a couple of top ten finishes in their time and, despite a lowly 18th position in 2013, have emerged as dark horses for Eurovision glory.
It could have something to do with do with this year’s entrant Aram MP3 whose song “Not Alone” – a fascinating collision of Gary Barlow-like piano crooning and Skrillex-style dubstep – has already got people talking.
A qualified pharmacist by trade, the 29-year-old could be about to deliver the appropriate dose of heartfelt vocals and good old-fashioned Europop power required to sweep his country to victory.
There’s certainly some precedent, with 2011 winners Azerbaijan coming from nowhere to claim the crown and the ever-present European politics could also come into play and help Armenia to a first ever win, something you can back at 11/2 with Ladbrokes.
That scenario looks less likely for our own beleaguered efforts. Having finally ditched the highly-unsuccessful strategy of backing already established acts like Blue, Bonnie Tyler and most bizarrely of all Engelbert Humperdinck, the UK has opted for unsigned Molly Smitten-Downes.
While the likes of Geri Halliwell and, rather oddly, Morrissey were touted as potential entrants, the 26-year-old Leicestershire-based singer took home a best song gong at the Best of British Unsigned Music award last year and will be out to impress with her entry “Children of the Universe.”
Sounding like a version of Coldplay fronted by Adele, the song is among the best on offer this year, which is precisely why it won’t win, but with odds of 9/1 available on Smitten-Downes, it could give you an extra excuse to cheer on our effort.
Aram MP3 or Ruth Lorenzo may come out on top this time, but they can never take away memories of Katrina and the Waves and their 1997 winner Love Shine A Light. Top stuff.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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