From Denmark to pink skies: Don’t go breaking Reiley’s heart

04 May 2023 at 17:02 CEST

Denmark's Reiley in the Eurovision 2023 studio Corinne Cumming / EBU

Denmark’s Eurovision hopeful Reiley is making his way from the remote Faroe Islands to the world’s biggest music competition, with his pop hit ‘Breaking My Heart.’ He might want to go back to the start with the love interest in his song, but the only way is Liverpool when it comes to Eurovision 2023.

230504_Sarah Louise Bennett_EBU_0003.jpg — Reiley rehearsing Breaking My Heart for Denmark at the Second Rehearsal of the Second Semi-Final at Liverpool Arena Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

When Reiley entered the Danish Melodi Grand Prix 2023, there was no falling apart for the popstar. He battled against 7 other contestants, eventually making it to the show’s super final and breaking a few hearts along the way. His slick stage performance came with pyrotechnics and a very warm-looking pink jacket. It seems like Reiley has always been ready for the United Kingdom’s unpredictable weather.

Reiley rocked up on the Eurovision stage also wearing pink for his first rehearsal on Sunday 1 May. Just like the pink skies he sings of, the stage was bathed in similarly coloured hues. This is a performance that is going to get everything sat up and watching, and Reiley's house-sized prop certainly won’t hurt with that. One thing’s clear - Reiley’s not scared to love Eurovision.

230504_Sarah Louise Bennett_EBU_0002.jpg — Reiley rehearsing Breaking My Heart for Denmark at the Second Rehearsal of the Second Semi-Final at Liverpool Arena Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

The official Eurovision Live Blog took down every detail of Reiley’s first rehearsal, and here’s the lowdown: "Reiley's set is a really clever three-pronged revolving structure - each turn presents a room in a different colour as he moves through the doorways, making good use of the LED floor and projected graphics too. The visuals flow from swirling clouds to hearts and emojis - it's fun and cute and gives the whole performance a dreamlike quality."

Much like the lyrics in his Eurovision entry suggest, Reiley likes us to think he has a sweet, well-behaved nature. He claims to have no disgusting habits, and to be as perfect as Tinkerbell. He even describes his fans as “the sweetest, kindest people.” However, when we asked Reiley where we’d find him at the funfair, he cheekily said it would be the kissing booth. The truth unravels…

Reiley’s the newest prince of Danish pop, so it’s no surprise that his favourite tunes are all absolute bangers. Beyoncé’s Break My Soul and Lizzo’s Special are some of his top tracks and he also rates loved-up pop songs like Justin Bieber’s Off My Face. He’s likely to get up on the dancefloor if Eurovision legends ABBA come over the speakers, especially the classic that is Dancing Queen. Reiley’s made a name for himself covering songs on social media, with songs ranging as widely as A Whole New World from Aladdin to Dance Monkey by Tones and I.

You can learn more about Reiley from Denmark right here.