AI
Written with AI assistance•January 21, 2026•
AI
Generated IllustrationThun-native Veronica Fusaro has been selected to fly the Swiss flag at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. The alternative-pop artist, known for her soulful live performances, was chosen from nearly 500 entries by an international jury and public vote.
"Representing Switzerland at the ESC is a huge vote of confidence for me. I want to take advantage of this stage to present my music with sincerity, without artifice."
"The ESC brings together cultures, audiences and musical universes in a unique way. Being part of it and presenting my songs in this international setting means a lot to me."
Out of a staggering 493 entries, one voice has emerged to carry the hopes of a nation. Veronica Fusaro, the 28-year-old alternative-pop sensation from Thun, has secured the coveted ticket to the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. This is not merely a selection; it is a mandate. Fusaro triumphed through a rigorous multi-stage process, winning over both an international jury of specialists and a panel of Eurovision superfans in a decisive 50/50 split vote. While nearly 500 hopefuls vied for the spotlight, the Bernese artist's authentic sound and raw intensity set her apart immediately.
Switzerland is not sending a novice to Austria. We are deploying a seasoned artist who understands the weight of the flag she carries. The selection committee, orchestrated by public broadcaster SRF, has signaled a clear preference for substance over spectacle. As the countdown to May begins, Fusaro stands ready to defend Switzerland's reputation on the world's biggest musical stage, promising a performance defined by "sincerity, without artifice."
More than 500 concerts. That is the grinding, impressive reality of Veronica Fusaro's resume. While other contestants may crumble under the glare of the Eurovision lights, Fusaro has forged her steel in the fires of Glastonbury, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and the Nîmes amphitheatre, where she opened for the legendary Mark Knopfler. This is an artist who does not just perform; she commands. Since being crowned "Best Talent" by SRF3 in 2016, she has relentlessly toured Switzerland and the globe, proving that her live vocals are as bulletproof as her studio recordings.
Her commercial success mirrors her touring stamina. Her debut album, All the Colors of the Sky, surged to number five on the Swiss charts in 2023, cementing her status as a heavyweight in the domestic scene. With her second album, Looking for Connection, released just last October, she enters the contest at the peak of her creative powers. Fusaro brings a blend of pop, soul, and rock that is not manufactured in a boardroom but cultivated on the road.
Switzerland is playing to win, and the proof lies in the team built around Fusaro. The delegation has secured the services of Fredrik "Benke" Rydman as artistic director—a move that should strike fear into the competition. Rydman is the mastermind behind two of the most iconic victories in modern Eurovision history: Måns Zelmerlöw’s 2015 triumph for Sweden and Nemo’s spectacular win for Switzerland in 2024. He also orchestrated Käärijä’s viral runner-up performance for Finland in 2023.
This collaboration signals a massive vote of confidence in Fusaro’s potential. Rydman does not attach his name to mediocrity. His involvement guarantees that the visual presentation in Vienna will be world-class, innovative, and perfectly calibrated to elevate Fusaro’s soulful alternative pop. While the song remains under wraps until March 11, the combination of Fusaro’s raw vocal talent and Rydman’s visionary staging creates a formidable contender for the crystal microphone.
The stage is set for a massive showdown at the Wiener Stadthalle. Over 170 million viewers will tune in as the 70th Eurovision Song Contest takes over Vienna this May. Fusaro faces the critical challenge of the second semi-final on May 14, where she must secure her place in the Grand Final on May 16. The stakes are incredibly high; the competition features artists from 35 nations, all vying for global recognition.
However, the momentum is on Switzerland's side. Following the massive economic success of the previous year's ESC in Basel—which generated a staggering CHF 248 million—the Swiss music industry is riding a wave of unprecedented visibility. Fusaro represents the next chapter in this golden era. "The ESC brings together cultures... in a unique way," she stated. Come May, she won't just be bringing culture; she will be bringing the full force of Swiss musical excellence to the heart of Europe.