Chanel Terrero Martínez is far from SloMo at Eurovision 2022

A hot favourite going into the final, the Spanish entry turns out to be even hotter on the night.

☞ by Allen Therisa in Eurovision

SloMo

Chanel Terrero Martínez, Spain

2022

459 points (third)

WHAT ABOUT THE CONTEST?

Energetic, colourful, and a little on the crazy side, the 2022 Eurovision came from Turin, after Zitti e buoni, performed by naughty rockers Måneskin, took the crown for Italy the previous year in Rotterdam.

And you thought that contest was a big deal?

Leading into this year's contest there was a certain amount of tittering on the part of the Eurovisionaries following the previous Italian (very chaotic) hosting of the contest in 1991.

Would the 2022 staging dissolve into similar buffoonery and embarrass everyone concerned?

Could it possibly be more baffling and shambolic than the 1991 contest?

Quite the reverse, as it turned out, and for a whole number of very good reasons. On the night (or nights, including those taken up with the semi-final shows) the Italians manage to pull off a Eurovision that is flamboyant, emotional and very, very Italian (in a good way).

One of the classics, in fact.

AND THE GROUP (OR ARTISTE)?

Hot, sassy, energetic, and a committed performer out to make an impact, Cuban-Spanish singer, dancer and actress Chanel Terrero Martínez came to the contest carrying a huge amount of expectation and a certain amount of controversy.

Having worked hard to promote her entry in the weeks leading up to the big night, could she continue to make an impact, and pull off a highly choreographed and (let's go there) very erotic performance without falling over come the final?

Oh, yeah.

WHAT ABOUT THE SONG?

Originally offered to (and turned down by) Jennifer Lopez, SloMo is smart, smouldering and catchy. One of the bookies' favourites, SloMo's upbeat, contemporary vibe was expected to stand out on the night, regardless of its performance underpinnings.

Which it duly did.

ANY GOOD?

Superb.

Credible, evocative and punchy, SloMo, together with Martínez's personality and skills as a performer, propelled the entry to the top deck of the voting.

AND IT CAME WHERE?

Third, with 459 points.

AND WHO WAS THE REAL WINNER?

Against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the heroic struggle of its people to defend their country, the Ukraine entry Stefania was widely expected to win come the final.

Powered to the top of the voting by a huge viewer vote (taking in 659 total votes including the earlier jury votes by the end of the night) Ukraine performers Kalush Orchestra slightly predictably managed to pull off a win which, if not entirely unexpected was wholeheartedly welcomed by much of the audience and the other performers on the night.

SO, IN SUMMARY

Martínez came to the contest to win it, even though in the circumstances that was virtually impossible, and managed to deliver one of the great Eurovision performances of all time.

Booty hypnotic indeed, as SloMo has it.

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