After rife speculation in the early months of 2023, it has been confirmed Rina Sawayama was approached to represent the UK at Eurovision this year.
Sawayama was a fan favourite to sing for the UK in Liverpool before it was confirmed Mae Muller would represent the hosting nation instead.
Journalist Nick Levine spoke to Sawayama in June about Eurovision, and confirmed the Japanese-British singer’s quotes on a special episode of The Euro Trip this week.
“I interviewed Rina Sawayama in May and I asked her what happened with Eurovision,” Levine said.
“There was an approach made to her, I presume from TAP, she took a while to think about it, she didn’t say how long.
“She got back and never heard any more. So maybe Mae [Muller] had been put in place by then.
“That shows that someone like Rina Sawayama was willing to do it.”
Sawayama herself invited the speculation, using Eurovision songs on her own TikTok account and teasing fans on other social media platforms.
“I kind of played into it a little bit because I thought it was funny that this rumour kept getting bigger,” Sawayama told Levine.
Although many fans are disappointed Sawayama didn’t secure the Eurovision ticket, the singer admits she is glad it didn’t get chosen.
“It actually worked out well because I really needed a break; I hadn’t really taken a proper break for three years. Honestly, it’s really good that that happened because I probably would have burnt out or something.”
TAP Music, the music management company in charge of the UK’s Eurovision artists selection over the past two years, has split with the BBC and will no longer be involved with the contest.
This relationship collapse could mean the idea of Sawayama appearing on the Eurovision stage in the future has dimmed.
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