It’s been almost two years since it was announced that the US will do its own version of Eurovision after EVERYONE (read: no one) looked at Eurovision and thought, “This would be so much better if they were all Americans!” It’s still happening and Deadline says that the first round of competitors (including Macy Gray, Michael Bolton, Sisqó, and Jewel) who will represent their state has been announced.
NBC is hoping to recreate the glittery gloriousness of Eurovision with their own American spin-off called the American Song Contest, which will debut on March 21 and will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg. A winner will be crowned on May 9 during the same week that Eurovision launches. 56 acts will represent 50 states, five US territories, and Washington, D.C. The winner of the contest’s Best Original Sing will be decided by an audience vote. In addition to Macy (who will represent Ohio), Michael (who will represent Connecticut), Sisqó (who will represent Maryland), and Jewel (who will represent Alaska, of course), other performers have been announced:
These artists will be competing against amateur performers, some brand new names and rising stars, including former Glee performer Riker Lynch and dance act The Crystal Method. Keyone Starr, representing Mississippi, was a featured vocalist on Mark Ronson’s 2015 Uptown Special album, and singer AleXa, appearing for Oklahoma is an established K-pop artist in South Korea.
There will be three qualifying rounds, semi-finals, and a final. Executive producer, Ben Silverman, says in a statement that he’s been working for “20 years” to get this done, and seems to think that maybe this Americavision (I’m suing if they actually call it that) is going to cure the social divides existing in America right now.
“I’ve spent 20 years trying to pursue this. I just love the format… When America is more fractionalised than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one [thing] that truly unites us is our culture.”
Yes, the American Song Contest will unite the country and heal America! But really, this Ben Silverman guy is jumping the gun. Because the only way the American Song Contest will even begin to heal the country is if Michael Bolton takes the stage and strips down into some sequin coochie cutters while shaking his ass. That sight will cause a tear to trickle down a proud bald eagle’s face and THEN America’s healing can begin.
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