Meet Cláudia Pascoal From Portugal

This year 43 countries will be present at this years Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Lisbon in May. With around two weeks to go until all of Europe descends on Portugal's capital, Eurovoxx will introduce you to each country that will be participating.

Who is Cláudia Pascoal?

The young singer is 23 years old, and has the massive honour of representing Portugal at this years Eurovision on home soil. The singer is best known for appearing on several musical talent shows, which has gained her some notoriety. Cláudia first came to the publics attention when she competed in Idols 2010 edition, she would also try for a second time in 2015. It would be some years before she would appear on the music scene again. This time her chosen show was Factor X. Even last year she tried her luck with 'the voice Portugal' where she came 6th.

As well as music she also entered another competition where she aimed to be Portugal's next big television presenter. She did one better where she came third on the programme Sic Radical. However, winning Festival da Canção was her biggest success. The song "O jardim" placed 25th when it entered the Portuguese charts.

Check Out Cláudia Pascoal's Eurovision Entry "O jardim" Here:

How Was Cláudia Pascoal Chosen?

Whatever was to happen, being Salvador Sobral's successor was going to be a tough act to follow. However, the job has gone to Cláudia Pascoal. This year Portugal opted for its traditional national final Festival da Canção. The show consisted of two semi finals that saw 13 artists in each semi, fight it out for 7 places. The final consisted of fourteen songs, that saw regional juries and the public given the choice on who they wanted to be the next countries representative.

The long final which was broadcast live on the 4th March 2018 saw only one winner, and that was Cláudia Pascoal. When the voting was revealed both Catarina Miranda and Cláudia Pascoal were tied on first place. Catarina had won the jury vote, whilst Claudia had won the public vote. The rules had stipulated that in the event of a tie, the public vote would have the final say. Both artists were tied on 22 points, but it was Cláudia that ultimately won the competition.

Check Out Eurovoxx Reaction Video To Portugal's Eurovision Entry:

Portugal At The Eurovision Song Contest:

Portugal first debuted in the contest during the 1964 edition, and have appeared on 49 occasions. This year marks Portugal's 50th song, which is quite fitting. Last year saw them win the competition for the first time, but it also held another dubious record. It was the country that held the most performances without a win. Thankfully, that all changed last year. Since they first competed, they rarely ever troubled the score board at the contest. In fact prior to Salvador's win last year, their best ever result was 6th back in 1996.

The 1990's also saw the country have its best decade where it made the top ten on 4 occasions. Since the introduction of the semi finals in 2004, the country had only managed to qualify on four occasions. Although, the country has never scored that well, they can be proud of having the highest scoring winner on record. Salvador's 758 points will take a lot of beating. The country is proud of it's language and has only used English in their songs on three occasions. Could Claudia make it a second win on home soil?

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