The first of three Eurovision live shows to come this week is broadcast live on Tuesday 10 May. Ahead of the First Semi Final, the three hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 – Alessandro Cattelan, Laura Pausini and Mika – take the opportunity to welcome us all to Turin, and to the Contest.
The first of three Eurovision live shows to come this week is broadcast live on Tuesday 10 May. Ahead of the First Semi Final, the three hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 – Alessandro Cattelan, Laura Pausini and Mika – take the opportunity to welcome us all to Turin, and to the Contest.
When a job offer like hosting the Eurovision Song Contest comes along, if you’re a skilled TV presenter who believes that you’re up for the job, then it’s not one that you are going to turn down. But far from it being just another gig, everyone has their own reasons for answering ‘yes’ to such a rare invite. And our three Turin hosts are no exception.
Laura: ‘It was an intense journey, but I wanted to jump into it because it’s so exciting, something very new for me. This is a Contest that can help us keep in touch with European sounds, and promote unity‘.
Mika: ‘We have the least difficult job, compared with the artists who have to present themselves and their songs. We get to talk and laugh and have fun‘.
Laura mentioned the attraction to the music, or rather the opportunity to enjoy an eclectic selection of songs from all around Europe. And that’s something that Mika, also being a musician, has picked up on, too.
Mika: ‘Music is a tool that unites and it’s also something that artists can use to showcase how they are all so different, too. It’s amazing to see all these different cultures and all these different sounds; and they can all exist on the same stage. The diversity is something that is really remarkable to see, and so inspiring‘.
For Laura, she agrees that she’s going to be enjoying this as a fan, just as much as she will be relishing the experience as a host.
Laura: ‘It’s interesting because it’s an opportunity for us, the audience, to learn and to discover. All of this through music in another language. I’m in love with this! This, for me, is life‘.
When it comes to the profession of TV presenting, there’s no denying that the three of our hosts with the most experience, is Alessandro Cattelan. But even he is well aware of the scale of what he’s just taken on.
Alessandro: ‘In my career I’ve mostly done two different genres of TV hosting – music shows and comedy stuff. Eurovision is big. The MTV stages were big, The X Factor stage is huge – but this is bigger. Bigger than everything I’ve done before‘.
Regardless of the difference in experience, however, Alessandro sees himself and his colleagues as being at the same level of capability for embarking on the job of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. And that’s largely because of their approach to it, and how this very approach ties in with the essence of Eurovision itself.
Alessandro: ‘The three of us share the same values – we like to enjoy what we are doing. And we like Eurovision. All three of us also share the values of Eurovision, so it feels nice to be here and to be doing something like this‘.
Their love for the Contest is certainly something that unites the three talents. Mika, in particular, has watched it evolve over the years and is excited to be taking part in Eurovision at the place the Contest find itself at now.
Mika: ‘I’ve watched Eurovision my whole life and I think it’s an amazing show. It’s great that you have all these artists from all over Europe coming to one Contest. I think in the past five years in particular, there has been an enormous effort by the EBU to bring the show into even greater relevance; without losing anything about it. The production values have been completely stepped up. It’s amazing to see the impact it has these days. I love it and I’m really happy to be here‘.
You, too, can join our three hosts in their absolute element. Tune in the the Semi Finals and Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on 10, 12 and 14 May.
