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New York (AFP) – The United States will broadcast from March to May on a major national television channel an American version of the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the most watched programs in the world.
American rapper Snoop Dogg and singer Kelly Clarkson will host the “American Song Contest” which will air for eight weeks on NBC until the May 9 finale, according to a statement.
There will be solo artists, duos and groups from all 50 US states, the federal capital Washington and five territories under US jurisdiction.
“It is an honor for me to be the host of + the American Song Contest + alongside Kelly Clarkson, alias Miss Texas”, welcomed in a press release Snoop Dogg, one of the richest rappers. from the United States, hip-hop star, and who performed Sunday at halftime at the Super Bowl won by the Los Angeles Rams.
From his real name Calvin Broadus, Snoop Dogg has also been the target since last week of a civil complaint for rape filed in Los Angeles by a woman who accuses him of having assaulted her in 2013.
As for singer Kelly Clarkson, originally from Texas, she was the very first winner in 2002 of the “American Idol” singing competition. In a press release, the artist said she was “a fan and in love with the concept of Eurovision and delighted to bring this musical phenomenon to America”. She also said she was “so thrilled to be working with Snoop”.
The producer of the “American Song Contest” Anders Lenhoff paid tribute to him in a statement to Eurovision by comparing it to a competition where “music would be an Olympic sport” and where “artists from all over the world would come to compete for a gold medal”.
According to him, his “American version will be different from anything that has been done previously on American television”.
Eurovision is one of the most watched television shows in the world with over 200 million viewers. Italy will host the 66th edition of this competition following the victory of the Italian rockers Maneskin, in 2021 in Rotterdam. The show will be hosted from May 10 to 14, 2022 in Turin by Italian singer Laura Pausini, British-Lebanese performer Mika and Italian television personality Alessandro Cattelan.
© 2022 AFP
