As soon as ‘C’est la vie’ was released, Claude shot up with the bookmakers of the Eurovision Song Contest. Final-worthy. Top three. Or maybe even a win?
Text: Jeroen Keijzer. Image: ANP
Are you looking forward to the Song Contest?
“Yes, a lot. We have a group app with all the participants and there is a friendly atmosphere in it. There is no competition between the artists at all. It is actually very pleasant, everyone texts each other. I am nervous in a way, but I am more looking forward to it than I am nervous. About 160 million people will be watching, it remains the largest stage in Europe. I can handle that pressure well, also because 160 million is such a bizarrely large number that I cannot imagine it. The only thing I can do is prepare myself very well. I do all kinds of exercises with a vocal coach. And I sing ‘C’est la vie’ very often, so that I know exactly how to deliver it.”
Who and what are you taking with you to Switzerland?
“My mother and sisters are coming to the semi-finals, plus some friends. And if I make it to the finals, I’ll bring my backing band. My family will watch the finals at home, because I think that day will be completely chaotic. Will a loved one be coming? No, I don’t have a girlfriend yet; music is my great love. As for stuff: I was at an airport recently and saw all kinds of cuddly toys in a shop. I realised how nice it is to attach a lot of value to something like that, that it becomes a lucky charm. I briefly thought about buying one, but in the end I didn’t. I will bring two photos. One of my family and one of my friends. I’m also going to ask Stien den Hollander – S10, who came eleventh in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 with ‘De diep’ – if she decorated her hotel room as a living room. Because you live there for about two weeks.” Stien is a good friend of yours. Did she give you any tips? “It’s so nice that Stien has also experienced all this, so that I can talk to her about how she experienced it. We were already friends before the Eurovision Song Contest came my way. One of her first texts to me was even: “Do you know what you should do? Participate in the Eurovision Song Contest! We often have lunch together and then we talk about everything. And now of course a lot about the Eurovision Song Contest. Her most important tip was: let it all wash over you. No one can really tell you what to expect, because it’s such a madhouse. Just go into it relaxed.”
You are participating in ‘C’est la vie’. What is the message you want to convey with the song?
“That sometimes things happen that you can’t control. And that you can get upset by that, but that you have to realize that there are so many other things that are going well. So, get on with it and think: c’est la vie, that’s life. My mother gave me that message. When ‘C’est la vie’ was leaked a day too early, I was really upset about it, because I wanted to determine the time it would be released myself. At a certain point I forced myself to see it in perspective, yes, it’s a shame that it happened, but there are so many other things I can be grateful for. The fact that I’m healthy. That I can breathe, walk, eat and drink. And I also drew strength from the fact that the reactions to the song were positive.” Source: Televizier Magazine.
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