|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
He’s young, he’s soulful, and he’s got a Eurovision hit on his hands. Claude could be the comeback story of 2025.
After last year’s messy disqualification, the Netherlands is turning the page—and Claude is writing the next chapter. With “C’est la vie,” a shimmering, French-laced anthem of hope and healing, the 21-year-old singer-songwriter is emerging as one of Eurovision 2025’s most talked-about contenders.
From Kinshasa to Rotterdam to Basel
Claude Kiambe’s journey is pure Eurovision magic. Born in Congo, he moved to the Netherlands at nine and saw his first contest the same year—Conchita’s win in 2014. “It became a family tradition,” he says. “Now, I’m part of it. That still feels unreal.”
If Claude’s name sounds familiar, it should. After an early exit on The Voice Kids in 2019, he came back strong, winning Are You Next? and signing with Cloud 9 Music. His debut single “Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot)” smashed the Dutch charts with over 100 million streams, and he’s sold out venues across the country since.
Resilience you can dance to
Chosen from over 330 submissions, “C’est la vie” is exactly what the Dutch needed: warm, relatable, and radio-ready. It mixes Claude’s bilingual charm with a message that cuts across borders: life’s messy, love hurts, but we keep going.
“It’s about embracing the chaos,” Claude told AVROTROS. “You cry, you dance, you move forward. That’s life.” The song’s gentle build and anthemic chorus give it instant earworm status without ever feeling forced.
The selection committee called it “hit-sensitive with international pull”—and they weren’t wrong.
Strong odds, stronger buzz
Claude currently sits 4th in the bookies’ rankings, behind powerhouses like Austria’s JJ and Sweden’s KAJ, but ahead of bigger names with flashier staging. Why? Because C’est la vie sticks with you. It’s heartfelt without being heavy, and Claude’s authenticity is cutting through the noise.
Early rehearsals in Basel are reportedly smooth, with staging that favours connection over gimmicks. Think spotlight, slow pan, then colour bursts—and that voice doing all the work.
On social media, Claude’s been winning hearts daily with behind-the-scenes clips, acoustic takes, and his infectious smile. As De Telegraaf put it: “He’s got fans in Rotterdam, Reykjavík, and Rome—and they’re all voting.”
More than a song
For the Netherlands, Claude isn’t just a strong entry—he’s a statement. A young, Black immigrant representing the nation after a chaotic Eurovision year? That’s progress wrapped in pop.
AVROTROS is going big: full-length features, talk show appearances, and heavy rotation on Dutch radio. And the public’s onboard—early polls suggest a high televote turnout from home.
Claude performs in semi-final one on May 13, up against stiff competition from Sweden, Ukraine, and Slovenia. But make no mistake—“C’est la vie” is one of the few songs this year with legs. Expect a Grand Final spot and a serious jury run.
“This Is bigger than me”
I want to make the Netherlands proud,” Claude told NOS. “Whatever happens, I’m singing from the heart—and that’s enough.”
Spoken like a true Eurovision artist. Win or lose, Claude’s already made his mark—and given the Dutch something to believe in again.