O'G3NE to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv

Recently, broadcaster AVROTROS announced that girl group O'G3NE would represent the Netherlands at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The three sisters - Lisa (22) and twins Amy and Shelly Vol (21) - are not entirely new to the Eurovision world. In 2007 they represented the Netherlands at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with "Adem In, Adem Uit" (Breath In, Breath Out), finishing 11th out of 17. A lot has happened in ten years time - they won "The Voice of Holland" in 2014 and had several chart successes (including the Top 3 hit single "Magic"). 

O'G3NE performing Magic, their launch single after winning The Voice of Holland

"We are looking forward so much to once again represent our country. This is a new highlight in our career and we are going to do everything we can to make our country proud," Lisa, Amy & Shelly told Eurovision.tv. In the following months, O'G3NE and their team will work on their song and act for Kyiv. Their song is expected to be revealed in early 2017. 

The name O'G3NE stands for their mother's blood group (O) and the genes that connect the three sisters.

They are the fifth consecutive contestant chosen internally by the Dutch broadcaster. After a decade of disappointing results, Anouk turned the tide by finishing 9th with her song "Birds" in 2013. A year later, The Common Linnets came 2nd with "Calm After the Storm", only being stopped from taking the trophy home by Conchita Wurst. In 2015, Trijntje Oosterhuis failed to qualify for the Grand Final. Earlier this year, Douwe Bob again took the Netherlands to the Grand Final, where he finished 11th with "Slow Down".

The Netherlands won the Eurovision Song Contest four times, in 1957, 1959, 1969 and 1975, and also hosted the contest in 1980, after Israel kindly rejected the opportunity to host for a second time in a row. Hungry to bring home victory after more than 40 years, Eric van Stade, Director General of AVROTROS, told Eurovision.tv: “Their huge following on Facebook and Twitter, as well as the millions of views on their YouTube channel, show the popularity of O'G3NE. We are convinced Europe will be impressed by the vocal qualities of these three sisters."

O'G3NE announced their participation in the ESC on NPO Radio 2 program "Muziekcafé" in late October.

Last Summer, the trio shared the stage with Luv' at the Zomeravond Spektakel in Etten-Leur and at the Ladies Day festival in Hellevoetsluis (see news posted on August 15th, 2016). 

Luv' & O'G3NE (backstage at Ladies day festival): two generations of girl groups!!!

Unlike Luv', O'G3NE has not experienced international fame yet. Hopefully, the ESC will be their breakthrough abroad.  

In April 2015, Patty Brard and O'G3NE took part in the 5th anniversary show of two fashion brands "Sorella" and "1622 Lifestyle" (see article about this event). 

Earlier this year, the SBS 6 diva wrote a column for Weekend magazine about the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. She mentioned several artists who might represent the Netherlands at the next European music competition. Here's what she told about the trio: "I think that the O'G3NE sisters are very talented. I like their story. "Three beautiful sisters from Holland". I think that a Swedish songwriter and producer should make a big international chart topper for the girls because apart from their hit "Magic" nothing concrete has happened to them" (click here to read the column). 

Source: Eurovision.tv