• On Saturday, May 13, La Zarra will represent the France in the final of Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool (United Kingdom) with the song Obviously.
  • "I want to be happy with my performance. I want it to be impeccable vocally, to be no mistakes, to understand the essence of the song... If I can do that, I won't have any regrets," she told 20 Minutes.

From our Special Envoy in Liverpool (United Kingdom)

On Saturday, she said she was in an "electrical" state. "I still am, it hasn't evolved," La Zarra told us on Wednesday. The singer, who will represent the France in the final of Eurovision Saturday, has chained interviews at her hotel in Liverpool and rebels tomorrow. Then, on Friday, it will be time for the final rehearsal before the big night. Progress update as D-Day approaches.

How did you experience your rehearsal in public on Monday night?

It was very moving. When I arrived, people seemed happy to see me, they were screaming (laughs). It was a pleasure to share this moment with the spectators, for me, that's what's most important.

From the room, we saw you arrive from backstage perched on the structure that the technicians have installed on the front of the stage. What were you thinking at that time?

What I wasn't thinking about, rather (laughs). There were several things going through my mind. I was trying to bring down the stress. I'm really a perfectionist when it comes to my performance but there are things I can't control too much. As soon as I got in touch with the crowd, it changed my mind.


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Isn't it too unsettling to sing on a pillar, three meters high?

It is certain that being in height, there can be interference in the sound feedback. Even if there is no risk of the spine falling, it moves, so if I move my leg, there are vibrations that go up... I have to deal with all these new elements, hoping to be able to control everything between now and the final performance.

You mentioned the other day picking up and hanging up the security cordon. Now, there, you remain permanently attached. Initially, it was planned that you would stand out to move more on the stage?

That's what I had planned. Afterwards, there were setbacks that made the decision that I would hang on.

You will sing in the first half of the final, just like the favorites that are the Swede, the Finn and the Spaniard... What does this mean to you?

I may not really understand how things work, but when I watch shows like the MTV Music Awards, after an hour, I want to turn off my TV (laughs). So for me, it's convenient for me to go into the first part. After that, I don't know how it works for votes, if there is a risk that in the end people will not remember my performance... After that, I can't control what the audience prefers. If they prefer another proposal that suits their tastes better, that's fine. Me, at the end of the day, I want to be happy with my performance. I want it to be impeccable vocally, to be no mistakes, to understand the essence of the song... If I can do that, I won't have any regrets.

Do you read comments about you or your performance on Twitter, on YouTube?

A little.

Does that comfort you? Does it make you wonder?

I ask myself questions all the time, so there's no one who's going to change that (laughs). I take into consideration what people who like me say, it's quite concrete in general. They are relevant, they know what they are talking about. I feel protected by them, no matter what happens. It gives me a lot of strength, I don't feel alone when I'm on stage.



Do you anticipate that your final ranking may not live up to your expectations?

Of course. This is normal. Of course, I would like to bring the cup home and make everyone proud, I will fight until the last minute. But for me, afterwards, life goes on. I had a career before, I hope I'll have a career after (laughs).

How do you work on stress management between now and your next appearance on stage on Friday for the jury show where the international jurors will establish their rankings?

Basically, I'm a pretty anxious person. I've always had stage fright. But, as soon as I start singing, it goes down again - sometimes it takes time to come down. What is important for me is to isolate myself before going on stage, to be left alone. The forty minutes before, no one has to talk to me. I have to enter my world.

You arrived in Liverpool a week ago. How have you lived these days?

I have stored a lot of good memories. We shared a lot of things together in the delegation. We laugh a lot, we try to take the time to relax, to eat together. We are a great team.

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