France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005

ESC National Year
Year = 2005
Country = FRA
Preselection = National Final
50% Jury
50% Televote
Preselection date = 15 March 2005 | Entrant = Ortal
Song = "Chacun pense à soi"
Final result = 23rd, 11 points

France was represented at Eurovision 2005 by Ortal with the song "Chacun pense à soi". For the first time since Eurovision 2000, France 3 organised a National Preselection which was hosted by Laurent Ruquier and Elsa Fayer. In March there were 2 shows: the introductory documentary on March 14th showed the selection of the candidates who were earlier selected by France 3. The program ended with a presentation of the five finalists. The National Final was aired live on March 15th where the five participants presented their song live and sang duets with famous artists. The televoting audience and a professional jury made the final decision. Ortal emerged as the popular choice with her song "Chacun Pense à Soi" ("Everyone Thinks of Themself"). The song is written and composed by Saad Tabainet.

Ortal, born in Israel of Berber and Andalusian origins, began singing when she is sixteen. In 2000, Ortal moved to Spain and joined the group ‘Gipsy Sound’ (Alabina) with whom she toured Europe with for two years. Ortal provided entertainment at MGM’s hotel in Las Vegas, the French première of the James Bond movie 'Tomorrow Never Dies’ in Paris, and on television in Monaco for Prince Albert’s birthday party. Ortal has performed in Tunisia and has also provided backing vocals on the albums of various French artists. Her 2005 Eurovision song is her first single which brings R&B to a mainstream audience.

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/national_finals_90s_00s/France2005.html French National Final page]