I keep thinking I’ve reviewed Liar already but it turns out I’ve just talked about it A LOT with people.
I had a fun conversation with Ben and Mike over at the Eurowhat? podcast in March, back when I was just thrilled that Cyprus wasn’t sending another pained man (albeit one with good arms) and returning to their traditional Eurovision export of Pop Girlie – even if they have to bring them in from another country.
But since that time, I’ve had the chance to see Silia Kapsis perform, and seen her interactions with various fan media, and I’m getting less and less comfortable with the notion of Silia Kapsis, who is only 17, performing in Eurovision with this song and this performance.
I know that she’s a seasoned entertainment professional, having worked in children’s television in Australia. But I feel like she’s being packaged in the mold of the Cyprus slut bop ladies, which worked for artists like Tamta and Elena Tsagkrinou, but doesn’t work for someone who is barely old enough to qualify for the contest. It makes me feel icky watching her.
Look, Silia has what it takes to be a pop girlie. But she’s putting the literal girl in pop girlie, and every time I see her, I just have flashbacks to the teenage exploitation of Britney Spears, and it removes the joy. I know that things have gotten better since then, but a Eurovision act should be a source of escape, not a moment to worry about safeguarding policies.
I hope Silia is enjoying her Eurovision experience. It’s not an easy place for anyone to be, with the pressure of the world seemingly bearing down on them, while detractors claim that it’s just a stupid song contest. For the artists participating, it’s a stupid song contest that can make or break their career. Whatever it ends up being for her, I hope Silia gets what she wants out of the contest.
dudepoints.fun 