Winning Eurovision... and afterwards? One victory, a thousand paths
Eurovision isn't just a song contest. It's a huge spotlight, a launch pad... and sometimes a difficult weight to carry. Eurovision catapults artists into the spotlight of the entire continent - but you still have to know how to turn exposure into a real career. Because winning is not enough: you need a vision, a team, an identity. And above all, you need to be able to exist beyond the "Eurovision label".
Some winners go down in pop legend, others gradually disappear. Mistakes along the way, a lack of strategy or the phenomenon simply running out of steam... A look at what really happens to a career after Eurovision.
🎯 Those who have gone further than the competition
ABBA (Sweden, 1974) - The well-thought-out break-up
Their victory with Waterloo is striking, but it's what they do next that changes everything. With hits like Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen or Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!ABBA immediately set their sights on world pop. With their ultra-effective sound, their assertive look and their well-practised marketing, they were soon no longer "the band that won Eurovision", but a global phenomenon. A model of perfectly controlled transition.
Céline Dion (Switzerland, 1988) - A springboard to the world
For Céline, Don't leave without me is just a starting point. After her victory, she followed it up with Where Does My Heart Beat Now, The Power of Love, Because You Loved Me... Her record company quickly repositioned her on the international scene, far from the Eurovision codes. The result: the contest didn't define her, it simply opened the right doors.
Loreen (Sweden, 2012 & 2023) - Shine in the Eurovision universe
She made her mark in 2012 with Euphoriaone of the biggest hits in the competition's history. In 2023, she did it again with Tattoo - and goes down in history. With a strong visual universe, exacting artistic standards and personal convictions, Loreen proves that you can remain true to yourself and still be a respected Eurovision icon in the industry.
Måneskin (Italy, 2021) - Rock on the international stage
They hit hard with Zitti e buoniBut this is just the beginning. Beggin', I Wanna Be Your Slave, Supermodel, The Loneliest... one hit followed another. Thanks to TikTok, a polished aesthetic and the aura of their leader Damiano, the group conquered the world stage. Damiano, now an international star, even launched a solo career. It was a victory that accelerated his rise to fame.
Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014) - A symbol beyond the competition
With Rise Like a PhoenixConchita Wurst won Eurovision in 2014 and quickly became a global phenomenon. More than just a singer, she is a powerful symbol of acceptance and diversity. Her victory went beyond music, propelling her career into artistic and activist spheres, while remaining a key figure in European pop.
⏳ And those for whom it didn't work out so well...
Lordi (Finland, 2006) - A buzz with no follow-up
An improbable look, a cult song, a historic victory... But then... Hard Rock Hallelujahnothing. The band remained stuck in its "gimmick" image, and the genre (mainstream metal) struggled to find its place. A cult moment, but an isolated one.
Emmelie de Forest (Denmark, 2013) - Gentle oblivion
His ballad Only Teardrops ticked all the boxes, but the rest didn't take. No stand-out single, no clear direction, little presence. As a result, she quickly disappeared from the radar of both the Eurovision public and the music market.
Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009) - The artist trapped in his tube
Fairytale was an instant hit. But the violin, which had become his trademark, soon became a "» prison". He returned in 2018, trying to renew himself... without really convincing anyone. He remains attached to the competition, without ever surpassing it.
Tanel Padar & Dave Benton (Estonia, 2001) - A local hit
Their victory was a symbolic one (the first for a Baltic country), but above all it had a local impact. Each team is pursuing its career in its own corner, with a rather national profile.
🔍 What "post-Eurovision" is telling us
Ultimately, winning Eurovision is not the end of the journey. It's the beginning. And what happens next depends on a number of key factors:
- A true artistic identitybeyond the competition song
- Surround yourself with people : the right managers, the right strategy, the right timing
- Breaking out of the "Eurovision microcosm to reach out to a wider audience
- Understanding the codes of today's music industry virality, storytelling, stage presence...
In short, Eurovision can open doors. But that's what we do after that makes all the difference.
