MIHAI: “Paradisio is a very catchy up-tempo song with an extremely positive message” (Romanian semifinalist – Exclusive Interview)

ESC+Plus has talked to MIHAI, Romanian representative at Eurovision 2006 and semifinalist of this year’s national selection for Eurovision. MIHAI will perform “Paradisio” in the semi-final of Selectia Nationala 2016 set on March 4.

ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Romanian national selection for Eurovision 2016!

Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?

I started singing in my childhood. My parents wanted so much to have some artists in their family (my mother used to sing and my father was a painter ). So, … they bought a piano. I took piano lessons for 10 years. My first stage appearance using my voice was at 17. My career started at 21 years old, when the producer of Sony Music Romania signed a contract with me. Since then … I have released 13 albums, 21 video clips, 5 number one radio hits, 3 times best male voice in Romania award, more than 6.000 concerts in 15 years …

E+: What impelled you to take part in “Selectia Nationala 2016”?

It’s simple. After 2006, a lot of people told me I could easily had won the 1-st place with Tornero. That thing made me believe … someday I’ll find the perfect song to win. After 10 years … I think I’ve found the perfect song: PARADISIO. An extremely positive message, an up-tempo song, very catchy and easy to remember, full of sensibility …

E+: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the semi-final? Did you expect it?

Happy … happy … happy … 🙂 Somehow I expected that … Tornero … still has the best score ever for Romania ( 172 points ). There are a lot of people who believe in my voice and my ambitions. 🙂

E+: What it would mean for you to represent Romania for the second time?

I really believe that, with a good show and a good performance, PARADISIO can win the competition. So … it would be a chance for my country to win for the first time this huge competition ! 🙂

E+: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?

Paradisio is the supreme being, the perfect being … Actually … it represents our dreams, happiness, peace, love … Everyone wants to find a PARADISIO … In my lyrics … I found it … through the stars, somewhere in the UNIVERSE … 🙂

E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?

I’ve been awarded 3 times in my career – the best male voice in Romania. The song is very catchy and easy to remember and full of sensibility. The message is the most positive message ever : LOVE, PEACE, HAPPINESS … My last experience with Tornero … The huge feedback from a lot of ESC fans from Europe, a lot of newspapers from Europe …

E+: Have you started to prepare your stage performance for “Selectia Nationala 2016”?

Yes. It’s almost done. 🙂 We do rehearsals every day … before the competition.

E+: You represented Romania in 2006 with the song “Tornero”, reaching a 4th place with 172 points. It is the highest Romanian score in Eurovision until the date. Can you tell us about your experience in the contest? How did your life and musical career change since then?

Eurovision 2006 changed my life completely. I travel a lot, I have a lot of international fans since then, a lot of international concerts … In the FINAL, when I finished performing the song on the 20th of May, 2006, I cried for 3 seconds … 😀 It was such a stressing period that I simply … couldn’t avoid it. Anyway … nobody saw me. I hope … 😀 It’s a huge pressure for any artist.

E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?

I’m a huge fan of ESC. I love a lot of songs. More than 100. 🙂

E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing with, who would it be?

Celine Dion. 🙂

E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?

I’ll launch my new album, called CHANGE. The 14-th album in my career … Concerts … fun … more peace … finding love (I’m solo for the moment ).

E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?

Dear ESC+Plus readers and Eurovision fans … I hardly wait to see you in Stockholm and I really want to make Romania proud of me. So … please support me. My biggest dream ever is to … win EUROVISION SONG CONTEST for my country. Thank you so much !

E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!