Ahead of her participation in Festival da Canção 2025, Rory chats with Diana Vilarinho about her potential Eurovision song “Cotovia”. Diana Vilarinho will perform in the second semi-final of Festival da Canção on March 1st.
You were selected through the open submissions for the festival. How was it to get the call and find out you were going to be participating in such a staple of Portuguese culture?
I was very happy. We weren’t expecting to be selected, and the whole process of going to the studio to record the song had already been very beautiful, but we were even happier to know that we were going to the Festival da Canção.
As a fadista, you are often singing in many of Lisbon’s many fado houses. How important is it to bring fado to such a wider audience?
It makes me very proud to know that my country’s traditional music can be increasingly known and heard in other parts of the world. The song we are presenting is not exactly a fado, but being a fadista, fado is always present in my singing and in the way I feel the music.
Do you feel that your performances in several other fado festivals – including the Grande Noite do Fado – has helped you prepare for Festival da Canção?
Yes, I’m sure that the fact that I have been singing for many years and have participated in several important events will make me feel more at ease when stepping onto the stage at the Festival da Canção. Even so, it is a new, challenging, and different experience.
Are you a big Eurovision fan? Who are some of your favourite entries?
I’ve always followed Eurovision. One of my favorite songs from it is ‘Voilà’ by Barbara Pravi.
Are there any secrets you can share with the staging for your song, or is everything under wraps for now?
I think it’s always important to keep some things a secret, but I can say that we want and will do everything to make sure that the performance conveys the strength and power that the song itself carries.
What would be one song from your repertoire that you would recommend others to listen to if they like “Cotovia”?
Until now, what I’ve released is a much more traditional recording within what is fado. Still, for anyone who wants to know more, you can find my first album on any digital platform. Or stay tuned, as we are working on a new album that will be released soon.
What would it mean for you to represent Portugal at Eurovision?
It would be a huge honour and responsibility.
As a final question, what’s your message to all these new people who will have discovered your music?
I thank everyone who is curious to know more about me. I promise to release new stuff soon.
Who is Diana Vilarinho?
Diana Vilarinho is a 27-year-old singer and fadista from Portugal. Diana first begin performing at the age of 7, when her mother wanted her to have activities outside of the classroom. Since then, she was able to hone in on her skill of singing fado music – music traditionally associated with the working class of Lisbon. She reached national acclaim in 2008 when she won the Grande Noite do Fado. As well as this, she is a regular performer in many of Lisbon’s many fado houses.
“Cotovia”, Diana’s song for Festival da Canção, was written by Diana herself, together with Joana Alegre and Ricardo Ribeiro.
Portugal’s Eurovision journey
Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest with António Calvário’s “Oração” in 1964. Since then, Portugal has participated in the competition 55 times – appearing the final 46 times. Their only win in the competition came in 2017 with Salvador Sobral, performing his heart-wrenching song “Amar Pelos Dois”.
Portugal’s most recent participation was with iolanda with the song “Grito”. iolanda managed to qualify for the Grand Final and once there, she finished in 10th place. She received a total of 152 points, of which 139 points came from the jury and 13 points came the televote.
What do you make of our interview with Diana Vilarinho? Do you think she could represent Portugal at Eurovision? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2025!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: Diana Vilarinho
Giwrgos Oiko