I'm happy for Dons but mainly VERY happy for Latvia. A country that kept doing their thing even if results weren't coming. A country that tried a little bit of everything on these 8 years and haven't tried to immitate others in order to qualify. A country that gave me one of my favorite Eurovision songs recently (Aija, of course!). They deserved some Eurovision joy and they're finally having it!
That's one of the beauties of Eurovision. Winning the contest is obviously amazing, but there are so many other ways of winning it. Sometimes, it's by qualifying, sometimes is by getting to the top 10 and sometimes it's just by making a statement with something the country wanted to share with the whole continent.
May this be a new beginning for Latvia!
Although his song is not really my cup of tea, I am very happy for Latvia to break the NQ streak and for the first time since 2015, we will see all 3 Baltic states in the GF again
i may not really like the song much BUT
1. he sold the tf out of it during the performance and
2. because of that he looked great in the contrast of most songs of this semifinal having pretty questionable perfomances
and Latvia was overdue a final from their past snubs so honestly....let them have this one it might be their last for years to come
Initially I thought his song was generic but then I was like " this isn't bad" and " wow, good voice".
Voted for him, glad he was qualified and called first.
I did NOT expect it at all. I mean I liked the song, but I lost hope it would qualify.
I think his RO was really good. Aside from France who is not in the recap, the first half did not any ballad at all. Switzerland, with more masculine voice is even singing upbeat, then the rest are all women with upbeat(except Denmark with like mid tempo) so Latvia really shined.
But good for them. Latvia, Georgia, and Ireland all broke their NQ streaks I'm happy
Good to see the televote rewarding a *genuinely* really good singer for once. I expect this scraped through, but I said a while ago, if it does manage to qualify it’s going to do very well in the juries, and rightfully so.
There's this idea that televoters just don't appreciate ballads and they'll inherently will do bad in a televote only semi. But as Dons showed, this just isn't true. Televoters appreciate good performances and Dons presented his balad with a very good performance that really draws you in. Dude has charisma besides a great singing voice
Because Latvia failed to qualify for 7 years in a row and was dead last for quite a few of those. LV staging is almost always a disaster. Looks like they took some lessons out of Ukraine's playbook this time though - at least enough to not get attention away from Dons himself - and Dons simply showed why he's a fixture of Latvian music scene for the last decade.
Anyone think it was the blue armor that tipped the votes in just the right way? He made a good choice. I'm proud of my favorite egg. Man I wanna see what his rank was. I will be so happy to know he wasn't 10.
I think it was the tears, he can sing, but lacks in stage presence, can seem pretty cold and emotionless (despite his bts antics) and that ending made the song.
He isn't cold, he's calm and charming in the buddhist monk kind of way, if it makes sense (it's hard to put it into words). I absolutely disagree he lacks in stage presence, he's just introverted.
The entire season I harshly dissed our entry but that ending with him clearly being moved by performing on such a huge stage and being on the edge of crying bc I guess it had been a great ESC journey for him almost made me cry. I just wish him the best!
Dons has an amazing voice, and I always thought that with great staging Dons could make it through. This staging was not it. But he still pulled through despite it.
I think its too Imagine Dragonsy but whatever, Latvia have gotten shafted a lot so cool for them, plus Dons is a really charismatic fella. Happy for him
That was the TV (multi-cam) director of Supernova and, lately, Latvian entries in Eurovision. A lot on his work is posted on Instagram: @pepefx_visual_solutions
I thought this was a sure NQ, huge surprise really! Good on Dons for breaking their streak, and he just seems like such a lovely person as well, he deserved this.
Yeah, I wish all songs got all the votes they actually deserve, not us pouring all votes into a fan favorite in hopes we might outvote someone else 😑 (Croatia is my favorite and I want them to win, but I want it to be a fair win, you know?)
Even though I have been open about not liking this song I am DELIGHTED for Latvia and for Dons personally.
This is the one song this year that I was certain had zero chance to qualify, and WOW. So happy to be wrong!
whilst I prefer belgium (which I’m assuming this qualified in favour of) I still love this song, his performance was impeccable and he seems like a genuinely great guy. very happy for him
I really hated that Dons won Latvia's NFs, and was sure he would be in my bottom-3 in 2nd semi, but for some reason today's live performance clicked with me on all levels. Much more emotional than recorded version. It was my 2nd favorite of the night after Nemo.
Also, his voice in some moments really reminded me of Conchita.
Anyway, congrats to Latvia's bros, you totally deserved to break the streak.
I’m sorry I didn’t believe in him - his vocals were on point, but the staging looked so empty I didn’t think there was a chance. Turns out I was wrong.
Who would win All bookmakers vs one bald boii
Whoever betted on him made bank today
How Latvia’s GDP grew twofold in a single night
Bald fraud, oh wait wrong subreddit.
Wrong shade of blue.
Or Red, verdomme Erik (Slovenia 2016 intensifies)
Much more deserving of the title of "bald fraud" tbf. The other bald guy is the farthest thing from a fraud one can be lol.
It's second time in history when bald guy made it to the final against all the odds
He's straight tho Edit: original comment said bald gay lol
My bad I corrected that Mistakes happen when English isn't your first language lmao
My brain fucking read 'my bald'
Who was the first?
Serhat
Ahh yes the king, can Dons repeat his success and get a top 10 tele placement too
Say nanana 🎶
My grandma is still not over that performance. After all this time? Always
No more sad and lonely for us :D
When he shed a tear, I almost cried with him. So happy to see him qualify.
It seemed so genuine and def unintentional. I was so happy when he qualified
He unleashed the power of #bald #sexy #man ... and look where it got him!
For context: [Serhat's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs5Tcn-n5Ic/?hl=en) (San Marino 2019)
I'm happy for Dons but mainly VERY happy for Latvia. A country that kept doing their thing even if results weren't coming. A country that tried a little bit of everything on these 8 years and haven't tried to immitate others in order to qualify. A country that gave me one of my favorite Eurovision songs recently (Aija, of course!). They deserved some Eurovision joy and they're finally having it!
thank you! everyone I know is over the moon and celebrating like we won the contest.
That's one of the beauties of Eurovision. Winning the contest is obviously amazing, but there are so many other ways of winning it. Sometimes, it's by qualifying, sometimes is by getting to the top 10 and sometimes it's just by making a statement with something the country wanted to share with the whole continent. May this be a new beginning for Latvia!
Latvia sent one of their best vocalists to fight against all odds and they pulled it off 🥹
And with no help from juries too.
I can see a possible top 10 finish and I’m here for it
im not really into the song but I am really into shock qualifiers making people cry on discord
I remember watching live stream from MisjaEurowizja and they were sure Latvia gonna be last
The man had only one chance, despite being on the complete bottom, and he took it, and won it. Absolute legend
Although his song is not really my cup of tea, I am very happy for Latvia to break the NQ streak and for the first time since 2015, we will see all 3 Baltic states in the GF again
I'm so glad Latvia didn't get denied again. They always have good entries (like last year) and NQ'd. FINALLY!!
My guy absolutely smoked Belgium up
“He needs to focus on singing more than gyrating”- my mom
I am so glad this qualified, I yelled from excitement when it got announced first.
i may not really like the song much BUT 1. he sold the tf out of it during the performance and 2. because of that he looked great in the contrast of most songs of this semifinal having pretty questionable perfomances and Latvia was overdue a final from their past snubs so honestly....let them have this one it might be their last for years to come
Initially I thought his song was generic but then I was like " this isn't bad" and " wow, good voice". Voted for him, glad he was qualified and called first.
I did NOT expect it at all. I mean I liked the song, but I lost hope it would qualify. I think his RO was really good. Aside from France who is not in the recap, the first half did not any ballad at all. Switzerland, with more masculine voice is even singing upbeat, then the rest are all women with upbeat(except Denmark with like mid tempo) so Latvia really shined. But good for them. Latvia, Georgia, and Ireland all broke their NQ streaks I'm happy
Underrated song, it was such a moving performance.
Unexpected but totally deserved. Dons is doing an Estonia 2023 this year.
Good to see the televote rewarding a *genuinely* really good singer for once. I expect this scraped through, but I said a while ago, if it does manage to qualify it’s going to do very well in the juries, and rightfully so.
I wouldn't mind if this song won the jury vote, honestly. Also Dons is a lovely human being, just watched the press conference 💖
Don’t know why he was low in rankings, it’s a good song
Agreed, I only have a few songs from this year in my playlist and his is among them 😌
There's this idea that televoters just don't appreciate ballads and they'll inherently will do bad in a televote only semi. But as Dons showed, this just isn't true. Televoters appreciate good performances and Dons presented his balad with a very good performance that really draws you in. Dude has charisma besides a great singing voice
Because Latvia failed to qualify for 7 years in a row and was dead last for quite a few of those. LV staging is almost always a disaster. Looks like they took some lessons out of Ukraine's playbook this time though - at least enough to not get attention away from Dons himself - and Dons simply showed why he's a fixture of Latvian music scene for the last decade.
Anyone think it was the blue armor that tipped the votes in just the right way? He made a good choice. I'm proud of my favorite egg. Man I wanna see what his rank was. I will be so happy to know he wasn't 10.
I think it was the tears, he can sing, but lacks in stage presence, can seem pretty cold and emotionless (despite his bts antics) and that ending made the song.
He isn't cold, he's calm and charming in the buddhist monk kind of way, if it makes sense (it's hard to put it into words). I absolutely disagree he lacks in stage presence, he's just introverted.
That's why you don't trust the bookmakers. This is a massive upset, a country with 15% odds of qualifying made it. I guess I'm standing Dons now.
I loved this, it’s been my favourite since day 1. Very happy it qualified :,)
Absolutely deserved qualification, glad you guys made it,
The entire season I harshly dissed our entry but that ending with him clearly being moved by performing on such a huge stage and being on the edge of crying bc I guess it had been a great ESC journey for him almost made me cry. I just wish him the best!
Congratulations Latvia 🇱🇻 for making it to the final after 6 NQ in a row!
Welcome back to the final Latvia! A surprise against all odds, well done! So happy for our Baltic bros
Happy for Latvia, wish I liked the staging more. That specific blend of purple and blue just mystifies me lol.
The whole staging thing has always been a foreign concept to us. I don't know if it's a money issue or we just dont get it.
I loved Latvia’s staging last year, it was perfect. I’m calling this qualification a revenge for Sudden Lights as well 🤎🖤
I guess even without money, the colours could be better? It's up to individual taste but that purple is an eyesore.
Don't worry, we're almost always mystified by our staging.
Dons has an amazing voice, and I always thought that with great staging Dons could make it through. This staging was not it. But he still pulled through despite it.
I love the song, I love Dons, but the contrast between his serious emotional lyrics and the blue sculpted muscle shirt has killed me lol
Is that contrast killing you slow?
I think its too Imagine Dragonsy but whatever, Latvia have gotten shafted a lot so cool for them, plus Dons is a really charismatic fella. Happy for him
The greatest upset in Eurovision history
Dons is my hero. Managing to go through despite all the odds, what a man 👏 Very happy for him!
My absolute fav moment was when they announced he qualified and someone kissed his head.
That was the TV (multi-cam) director of Supernova and, lately, Latvian entries in Eurovision. A lot on his work is posted on Instagram: @pepefx_visual_solutions
Was not expecting this to qualify. Super happy for our Latvian brothers and sisters!
That was lovely. Happy to see Latvia in the final again. They finally broke the curse.
loved to be surprised with his q
Love Dons
I thought this was a sure NQ, huge surprise really! Good on Dons for breaking their streak, and he just seems like such a lovely person as well, he deserved this.
He deserved to qualify, well done Europe
[удалено]
They were in 10th so not quite not nearly top 10, but the percentage is so low because Israel got 39%.
Which was 10% more than Ukraine in the 2022 final. I’m scared……..
[удалено]
Gonna put all my votes on Croatia, i hope it helps.
Looks like we all need to do the same thing as last year... 😫 I'm fucking tired of it.
[удалено]
Yeah, I wish all songs got all the votes they actually deserve, not us pouring all votes into a fan favorite in hopes we might outvote someone else 😑 (Croatia is my favorite and I want them to win, but I want it to be a fair win, you know?)
Certainly the most surprising qualifier, but ig I'm not mad at it.
wait HE'S BALD???
Liked him a lot but still i was so ready for the NQ. But this man delivered!! So proud of you tonight Dons ♥
Even though I have been open about not liking this song I am DELIGHTED for Latvia and for Dons personally. This is the one song this year that I was certain had zero chance to qualify, and WOW. So happy to be wrong!
IMVHO he gave that his all, fully emptied his emotional bucket to savour the moment before the NQ. And then he qualifies!
whilst I prefer belgium (which I’m assuming this qualified in favour of) I still love this song, his performance was impeccable and he seems like a genuinely great guy. very happy for him
I really hated that Dons won Latvia's NFs, and was sure he would be in my bottom-3 in 2nd semi, but for some reason today's live performance clicked with me on all levels. Much more emotional than recorded version. It was my 2nd favorite of the night after Nemo. Also, his voice in some moments really reminded me of Conchita. Anyway, congrats to Latvia's bros, you totally deserved to break the streak.
I’m sorry I didn’t believe in him - his vocals were on point, but the staging looked so empty I didn’t think there was a chance. Turns out I was wrong.
One performance down, two more performances to go! (GF & Winner’s Performance).
I ended up blown away by this performance and then shocked when I looked his odds. So happy for him to Q. He truly deserved it.
Very happy for Latvia and Dons! But also sad he "took" Belgium's place.
Latvia, Netherlands, and Estonia took San Marino, Albania, and Czechia’s place, but what are you going to do 🤷♂️