When I was a child, I wanted to be on this scene and now it will become a reality. So I can’t wait to give the best of myself. On the other hand, stress will probably come five minutes before my performance. But to perform well, you need.
A lot of rehearsals are planned?
Yes, there are all next week! I take off for Basel on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., I will repeat. But I can’t wait to be there.
Here is the festive and “weightless” clip by Red Sebastian who will represent Belgium at Eurovision 2025
When did music go into your life?
As soon as I got out of my mother’s belly! (laughs) I always said that I was born by singing because I don’t remember when I started singing. I grew up listening to Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera…, the great divas of the song. They inspired me. I frequented the music academy from a very young age. I also studied pop song at the conservatory, so it has always been part of my life.
Do you also play an instrument?
Yes, I play the piano. This is the first instrument I practiced. It’s because of Lady Gaga …
Ah good ?
Yes. I just wanted to sing, but my father said to me: “Look at Lady Gaga”. She had just arrived on the pop scene and had this version of Poker Face On the piano which was just sublime. So I started the piano …
Participate in Eurovision is a dream?
Of course. This is the contest that I have always watched when I was a child. I often felt like a strange child and Eurovision reassured me, because nothing was really too weird to be on this scene. I understood that this competition was intended to unite people and encourage them to dare to be yourself. So I hope to encourage people to be themselves.
What do you think is the best service of all time at Eurovision?
Without hesitation, Loreen, with Euphoria. It is always one of my favorite songs and I sing it on stage. In terms of Belgium, I would say Loïc Nottet, with Rhythm Inside. The groove is really good. I’m just amazed by his talent. Well, I also like Gustaph who sang in 2023 because he was my teacher. It was nice to see him on stage.
I hope that Strobe Lights will offer three minutes of happiness to all those who go through difficult times.
Your song is called “Strobe Lights”. Where did the inspiration come from?
In fact, I wrote 12 songs for preselections in Belgium. And Strobe Lights was the last I wrote. I wanted to write a “club banger”, a song that forces me to dance … so the idea of the stroboscopic lights came to my mind. I wrote this song with Billie Bentein, Ameerah Roelants and Willem Vanderstichele. We were in a studio abroad. Basically, it was written very organically. Then we wanted to dive the song in the 90s, while remaining modern. The song says that we know where the night begins, but not where it will end. The message is right to say: enjoy your life and go there. I hope that Strobe Lights will offer three minutes of happiness to all those who go through difficult times.
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The 90s, is it your favorite period in terms of music?
-I would rather say the late 90s and the early 2000s, from 1996 to 2006. I really like the Dutch DJ TIESTO, for example. I am a fan of Eurodance: Milk Inc., Sylver, Kate Ryan, Lasgo (Editor’s note: Belgian group founded by the DJ Peter Luts)… It also inspired me. Like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child or even Whitney and Mariah.
My name of Red Sebastian is also inspired by Sebastien Le Crabe in the little mermaid.
In the words of “Strobe Lights”, you refer to “Alice in Wonderland” …
(smile) Yes, because I’m a big Disney fan! I am a great dreamer. When I was little, Disney was a way to escape from reality. My name of Red Sebastian is also inspired by Sebastien Le Crabe in The little mermaid. I found thatAlice in Wonderland was perfectly in line with what I wanted to tell in my song. When Alice discovers Wonderland, it is a little me who enters the nightclub … There is this passing song, and then you go to another room and the atmosphere is completely different. It was really good with what I meant. And then, I love the film so much, which is so fun and offbeat …
What should we expect on stage?
I can’t say too much. I have a very good creative and talented team around me for Eurovision. All I can tell you is that red will be very present (smile). It’s always my favorite color. It represents love, passion, ambition, passion. These are really the things I want to express on stage. And then I think red makes people happy. The outfit is ready, and I’m going to take Belgian fashion on stage. I cannot reveal the name to you, but it will be a young designer. The shoes will also be Belgian.
Have you listened to the songs of other candidates? Which ones did you like?
Yes, I think I listened to each song, I think. It’s a year with good songs, in all styles. There are dancing songs, where I am categorized, but also ballads, like France with Maman by Louane or Austria, with JJ who sings Wasted Love. She reaches very high notes, a bit like me … I really like Hallucination For Denmark… In short, I really think there is something for everyone.
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How are you going to make the difference?
I think my song is very extreme, very techno, very rave. I don’t think there is another song in this style, so I’m going to stand out in this way. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I really hope to tell those who really like it.
Christina Aguilera is one of my biggest idols.
If you had a magic wand, who would you dream of collaborating with?
Christina Aguilera. This is one of my biggest idols. With me, there are only two photos of artists: one of Whitney, which is unfortunately no longer there, and one of Christina. She has a great voice, incredible. I would really like to go to the studio with her. It will be necessary to plan a few days, because I think that the first day I would meet it, I could not sing (smile). I would be dazzled.
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How do you see the post-Eurovision?
My dream is to be able to live from my music and turn around the world.
It’s ambitious …
Yes ! But I really hope to get there. Otherwise, I would have kept my real name, seppers Herreman. But it sounds so Flemish! That’s why I opted for Red Sebastian. For the pre-concerts of Eurovision, I had the chance to sing in Amsterdam, London and Madrid. And it was really great. It was such a wonderful feeling of seeing people who are not Belgian and who sing my song … This summer, I’m going to sing a lot in Belgium. I also have a concert planned at Ancienne Belgique on Thursday, June 19. If you like to party, come! (laughs)
