“Ça incarne l’esprit du concours : déjanté, amusant, sublime,” said Alex Cobham of the inaugural edition of the competition held in Thailand on Saturday, November 14.
Eleven nations sent artists to compete in the first-ever Asian iteration of the long-running European song contest, featuring power ballads, pop-dance tracks, and elaborate pyrotechnics. Viewers, online voters, and regional juries crowned 19-year-old Philippine pop star Carmelle as the winner. She performed her female empowerment anthem “Sobra-Sobra” amid wind machines, choreography, and fireworks.
“J’ai l’impression que ce n’est pas une compétition, j’ai l’impression d’avoir simplement donné mon propre concert,” Carmelle told AFP after winning the trophy.
The lineup brought together performers from across the region, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Bhutan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Korea, Nepal, and Malaysia. Toc Tien of Vietnam opened the show with electro-pop music and a glamorous take on a traditional hat, finishing her routine in a pink dress featuring wing-like back panels.
Mongolian singer Beck wore traditional orange and gold attire to honor his ancestors on stage. When he is not performing, he works as an economist advising his country’s vice-prime minister on banking matters.
“C’est très important pour moi d’être là, de rendre hommage à nos ancêtres sur cette grande scène,” Beck told AFP.
Unlike the European parent show, which is organized by public broadcasters and attracts massive global audiences, this regional variant is managed by private television networks. These broadcasters often selected established acts who already command large local followings.
Malaysian singer Aina Abdul cited Celine Dion, who won the European contest in 1988 before achieving global stardom, among her primary inspirations. Adorned in a pale blue gown, Aina said that it was time for the franchise to arrive in Asia. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Bhutanese artist Nyendra experienced international travel for the very first time for the event.
“Personne ne me connaît,” Nyendra said.
While the European contest frequently serves as a platform for geopolitical friction and debates over rights, the Asian organizers steered clear of diplomatic disputes. Thai pop duo Mang x Daou declined to address questions regarding relations with neighboring Cambodia following border clashes.
“Un jour, tôt ou tard, ce sera peut-être comme un +Eurovision World+, uni, tous les continents réunis sur la même scène,” Beck told AFP.
