France | Expert panel revealed for Destination Eurovision
French broadcaster France 2 have today revealed the members of the expert panel for Destination Eurovision 2019. They revealed the news on their new official instagram account, Eurovision France.
Unlike last year, the expert panel will not have any say in who is chosen for Eurovision, and instead, the winner will be chosen by 100% televote.
In this years expert panel line-up, we have two new faces and one returning judge, alongside Pierre "Garou" Garrand, who will be hosting the show for a second year running.
ANDRÉ MANOUKIAN
André Manoukian is a French songwriter, jazz musician and actor, with 3 albums to his name as well as a string of hits that he has composed and produced. Aside from singing and composing, André has been a judge on Nouvelle Star (New Star), a pop idol style programme, since the first series in 2002. André was also the French commentator for the Eurovision 2018 semi finals alongside Christophe.
CHRISTOPHE WILLEM
Christophe Willem is back to Destination Eurovision for a second year, having sat on the panel last year with Eurovision 2016 participant, Amir, and Isabelle Boulay. Christophe rose to fame 2006 after winning the fourth series of Nouvelle Star, which has seen him go on to release a string of hit singles and albums. He has since gone on to be a judge on the French X Factor in 2010.
He provided commentary for both the Eurovision 2018 semi finals alongside fellow panel member André and for the grand final alongside Stéphane Bern and 2017 French representative, Alma.
VITAA
Charlotte Gonin, who goes by her stage name VITAA, is a French singer. She has sold over 1.4 records in France alone, and has been one of the most played French female artists on the radio this year. She released her first album in 2007 which shot straight to the top of the charts, and since then, she has collaborated with many French artists throughout her career, even being the support act for Rihanna's "Last Girl On Earth Tour" in Paris.
Are you excited for Destination Eurovision? Which French artists would you like to see participate? Let us know in the comments below!
