Red Sebastian will represent Belgium at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after winning the national selection organised by the public broadcaster VRT. He will perform the song ‘Strobe Lights’ in Basel, Switzerland, in May for the 69th edition of the competition.
Both the professional jury and the viewers awarded Red Sebastian, the stage name of singer Seppe Herreman, the highest score in the qualifying round, which VRT organises alternately with RTBF.
The 25-year-old artist is known for his high falsetto voice, bright red hair, and outfit. With ‘Strobe Lights,’ Red Sebastian will present a rave anthem at this year’s competition.
He was the favourite in the selection, competing against seven other contestants: Jelle Van Dael, Stefanie Callebaut, Lenn, Grace, Leez, Le Manou, and Mentissa. Red Sebastian scored 423 out of a total of 1170 points. However, this selection does not guarantee him a place in the Eurovision final, as he must first pass the semi-final round (where last year’s candidate Mustii failed).
The Eurovision semi-finals will be held on Tuesday 13 May and Thursday 15 May, with the final taking place on Saturday 17 May. Belgium will perform in the first semi-final.
Red Sebastian (Seppe Herreman) pictured after winning the final of the 'Eurosong 2025' competition, in Vilvoorde, Saturday 01 February 2025. Credit: Belga
“I’m still shaking,” said Red Sebastian after his victory. “I want to thank my parents, my manager, and everyone watching. But especially my grandmother: she passed away just as I learned I could participate in the contest. But she is still with me in spirit.”
Red Sebastian was a finalist on ‘Belgium’s Got Talent’ at the age of 14 in 2014 and later studied at the Ghent Conservatory. There, he was taught by Gustaph, a former Belgian Eurovision participant in 2023, who was also a jury member on Saturday. Last year, Red Sebastian was a finalist on VTM’s ‘Sing Again’.
