Now that Canada is officially participating in the Eurovision Song Contest next May, speculation has turned to who should represent our country.
Artists like ABBA and Céline Dion (repping Switzerland) have performed at Eurovision over the years. But who has the artistic chops and performing skill to do Canada proud in 2027?
Here are five performers who could shine on the most global music stage of them all.
Faouzia
The 26-year-old Moroccan-Canadian started performing pop covers on YouTube when she barely into her teens, and within a few years, she was competing in international competitions. Those competitions opened the door to a professional career where she’s appeared on tracks by dance acts David Guetta and Galantis. She also released a solo album, “Film Noir,” in 2025.
Why Eurovision: Faouzia has a taste for quirky pop, a hallmark of many Eurovision winners. In 2024, she captivated viewers on China’s TV singing competition “Singer 2024,” finishing second place and becoming the country’s second most-streamed international artist behind Taylor Swift.
Listen: “Puppet” showcases Faouzia’s playful, theatrical side, while “Don’t Ever Leave Me” highlights her incredible vocal range.
Elisapie
Few artists reflect Canada’s cultural diversity quite like Elisapie. Raised in the Nunavik village of Salluit, Que., she grew up speaking Inuktitut, English and French before moving to Montreal to pursue music.
Why Eurovision: Eurovision embraces artists who bring their language and culture to the stage. Elisapie’s acclaimed 2023 album “Inuktitut” reimagined songs by Leonard Cohen, Queen and Metallica in her mother tongue, proving she can make familiar music feel entirely new. The album won two Junos and was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize.
Listen: Elisapie’s mainstream side shines through on a cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass,” called “Uummati Attanarsimat,” while “Wolves Don’t Live By the Rules” captures her tender but commanding stage presence.
bbno$
Vancouver’s social media-savvy funnyman bbno$, whose name is said “Baby No Money,” built his career on a combination of hook-heavy hits and cheeky charm. His 2019 breakout “Lalala,” a goofy collaboration with Y2K, has been streamed more than 1 billion times, and he’s effortlessly turned out an array of bangers ever since, though many are packed with saucy and explicit lyrics that would never fly with the family-friendly show.
Why Eurovision: Fans have floated bbno$ as a dream entrant, partly because he’s no stranger to the Eurovision world. He’s collaborated on a song with Joost, who was set to represent the Netherlands in 2024 before being disqualified. bbno$ is also buddies with Finnish rapper Käärijä, who placed second in the 2023 finals.
Listen: “Edamame” was a smash success on Canadian pop radio, while the bouncy jam “It Boy” moves fast and furious, just the way Eurovision viewers like it.
Goldie Boutilier
Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Goldie Boutilier spent years crafting a distinctive blend of pop, alt-rock and country, delivered with a smoky voice that recalls Stevie Nicks. While Ryan Tedder famously championed her early in her career, Boutilier has steadily carved out her own identity.
Why Eurovision: After years of building momentum outside the mainstream, Boutilier feels like the kind of underdog Eurovision fans love to elevate. Her dramatic persona and cinematic songwriting would fit comfortably alongside many of the contest’s breakout stars.
Listen: Boutilier’s newest music leans toward Eurovision flavour. “Party” is an infectious rock-pop banger that draws on Leslie Gore’s classic “It’s My Party,” while the synth hook on “How to Be a Lover” is the kind of quirky pop that’s become a Eurovision staple.
Charlotte Cardin
If Canada goes with an established star, this Montreal singer would be a great choice. Already one of the country’s biggest pop artists, Charlotte Cardin has built a strong following in France, as well as earned 14 Juno nods, winning ones that include artist and album of the year.
Why Eurovision: Cardin combines powerhouse vocals with her experience as a fashion model, a combination that could make for a memorable Eurovision performance.
Listen: The bilingual groove of “Feel Good” suggests the kind of slick, choreography-friendly performance she’d bring to Eurovision, while the searing ballad “Meaningless” proves she can command a stage with little more than a spotlight and her voice.
Star readers weigh in
We asked you for Eurovision performer ideas and you didn’t disappoint.
Several readers suggested Bryan Adams, hot off the release of his pro-Canada single “51st State,” would be a good fit. Others called for East Coast legend Anne Murray to come out of retirement for the event. One even called on a collaboration between the two stars.
“Run Away to Mars” singer Talk was also floated as a potential candidate, and the Ottawa-raised performer seemed to agree. “This would be my dream,” he wrote on social media, responding to the Star’s coverage of Eurovision.
But the most popular suggestion seemed to be the polka-dotted pair Angine de Poitrine. The Quebec experimental rock duo has become viral sensations this year, but the challenge for them as Eurovision competitors is they hardly sing any lyrics, which might put them at a disadvantage.
Readers also made the case for k.d. Lang, Scarborough native the Weeknd and local rockers the Beaches and July Talk.
