The first show of Georgian Idol was broadcast last night, with nine singers being selected by the jury to progress to the next round.
Georgia’s search for Eurovision 2019 began last night, as the first show of Georgian Idol was aired. The first shows of the series will be from the auditions round across Georgia, and will see the hopeful singers performing for the judges all hoping to receive the Golden Ticket to the next round,
The singers who progressed to the next round were:
- Mariam Dokvadze
- Tamar Lachkhepiani
- Ikako Aleqsidze
- Mariam Jordania
- Natia Nanobashvili
- Giorgi Nakashidze
- Mariam Goguadze
- Afik Navruzov
- David Kalandadze
Georgian Idol will culminate in a final on March 2nd, where the artist that will represent Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv. On the jury of the show are:
- Stephane Mgebrishvili (Eurovision Georgia 2009)
- Natia Todua (Winner of The Voice Germany)
- Tinatin Berdzenishvili (Director of Media at GPB)
- Zaza Shengelia (CEO of Bravo Records)
Georgian Idol will be used to select the singer that will represent the nation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Georgia’s Idol already has a connection with Eurovision. Season 4 winner Nodiko Tatishvili and season 5 runner-up Sopho Gelovani represented Georgia in 2013 with “Waterfall”. They finished 15th in the final with 50 points. Georgia is the fourth country that are selecting their Eurovision representative through a televised talent show, after Malta, Israel and Spain.
Georgia’s most recent attempt was in 2018 with “For You” by Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao. The song finished in last place in the second semi final in Lisbon.
Georgia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, they were represented by Sopho Khalvashi and the song “Visionary Dream”. Sopho finished 12th in the final scoring 97 points, the song received 12 points from the televoters in Lithuania. Georgia has only ever missed one contest since their debut, this was in 2009 when Georgia had selected Stephane & 3G with “We Don’t Wanna Put In”. The EBU asked for Georgia to rewrite the lyrics of the song or change the song completely.
