Janet Grogan: "Absolutely NOTHING compares to the Eurovision experience"

Ireland are returning to a national selection show for Eurovision this year with RTE’s “The Late Late Show: Eurosong Special” making a comeback for the first time since 2015!

One of the acts taking part is Janet Grogan is no stranger to Eurovision having sung at twice before at the contest, we got the chance to catch up with her and find out a bit more about the song and her past experiences.

Hey Janet! Welcome to Eurosong 2022! First off, what made you want to enter this year and potentially represent Ireland in Turin in May?

Hi Kyle! Thanks so much for having me. I just felt like the time was right for me and the right song came along. It’s always been a goal of mine!

Its wonderful to have you here as a solo artist following your experience at past Eurovision’s! What were the highlights of being involved with the 2016 and 2018 Irish entries and your experiences in Stockholm/Lisbon?

Thanks so much! Going to Eurovision has been the absolute honour of my life. 2016 and 2018 were entirely different experiences but both highlights were the same, representing my country doing what I love is the greatest experience! Stockholm was wild because I was experiencing everything that goes into ESC for the first time so I knew the drill by the time I got to Lisbon hahaha! I will never forget the moment Ireland booked their place in the final in 2018 though, it was like we have won!

There was a great clip of you that appeared again on social media last week of you in stage in Lisbon celebrating Ireland qualifying in 2018, how does it feel to be one of the few people in history to have cursed on the Eurovision stage?! 😀 

Haha awh I always knew that clip would come back to haunt me!  I was just really excited and the atmosphere was unreal. We were standing on stage celebrating getting through and as I looked out at the audience of fans losing their minds, I was just like wow I need to remember this forever so I wanted to take a video but I didn’t have any pockets in my outfit so my phone was stuck in my trousers. Well, the entirety of Europe saw JUST how excited I was. Interesting phone call from my Dad after haha!

Eurovision isn’t the only TV show you have been involved with, as you were previously on X Factor UK (Robbed!) and recently were in RTE show Last Singer Standing, how have these experiences been?!

 I have to say my experiences with X-factor, last singer standing and Eurovision are all so different! X-factor was a super tough experience but definitely readies you for whatever the music industry throws at you! Last Singer Standing was just the absolute craic the whole time, I met so many amazing people (cast & crew!) that will be friends for life. Absolutely NOTHING compares to the Eurovision experience though!!!!!

Can you tell us a bit about the song and the team behind it?

The team behind the song are Aidan O’ Connor, John Emil and Sandra Wikstrom. Legends! I had met Aidan at the 2016 Eurovision and we stayed in touch ever since. The stars aligned this year and Aidan presented Ashes to me. I fell in love with the hopeful message and the inspiring feel of the song. I got goosebumps so I knew it was the one and the rest is history!

What is your favourite Irish entry ever?! (And no, you are not allowed to choose one of the ones you sang on! :D)

My favourite Irish entry without a doubt is “In Your Eyes” by Niamh Kavanagh. It’s my earliest Eurovision memory. I was entranced by her singing and it was the moment I knew I would be a singer and be involved with Eurovision!! It was 1993 so I was 4 years old.

And finally Barrys or Lyons tea?!

You know what I’m not as black and white on this question!!! I actually like both! But if I had to had to had to chose I’d actually pick Barry’s! I’m not picky though just as long as it is one of them haha!

Thanks so much Janet, and we look forward to seeing you perform on The Late Late Show and we wish you the best of luck!

Thanks so much for having me Kyle! Roll on the 4th!!!!

You can listen to Janet’s “Ashes of Yesterday” here!

You can watch Janet, an the other 5 contestants on Friday 4th Feb on RTE’s Late Late Show Eurosong Special!
Don’t forget to vote for your favourite

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