The Portuguese Eurovision Song Contest fans might be in for the first qualification of their country since the semi-final system was introduced in 2004. None of the Portuguese entries from 2004-2007 managed to grab one of the desired spots for the big final, but Vânia Fernandes has everything what is needed to succeed in the contest nowadays: a touching, melancholic song performed with utter professionalism! The charismatic Portuguese singer gave several faultless performances today, using the gigantic stage to great effect with dark-blue and green projections on the LED-screen. The Portuguese team has also created a fitting - barefoot! - choreography for Senhora Do Mar (Negras Águas), so nothing seems to stop Vânia Fernandes to reach the final for Portugal for the first time!
Vânia Fernandes was born in Funchal, on the island of Madeira, and is best known in Portugal for having won the RTP talent show Operação Triunfo, a Pop Idol kind of programme, in 2008. In 2007 she was a final year student of instrument and jazz courses. She has several projects in various musical styles, mostly in the field of jazz, among which the project with the Júlio Resende Quartet. In February 2007 she took a training course, as part of the Leonardo da Vinci Project, in the Helsinki Conservatory, representing the Madeira Conservatory.
In her press conference Vânia expressed her happiness about being in Belgrade. When asked about the lyrics of the song, the composer, Carlos Coelho, explained that it's funded upon a historical poem and Vânia added that it is a very emotional song for her and that it is about her native country, Portugal. The Portuguese team explained that they went on promotional tour to Bulgaria and Malta. When asked if Vânia has plans for an album, she asked that she would like to start working on one.
