A Estrela de Portugal

Logo of the National Final

**A Estrela de Portugal** (also called **A Estrela**) is a national selection organized by the portuguese broadcaster RTP. It determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Americas Song Contest.

It's the first selection ever organize by the portuguese delegation to selected their act. The first edition was launched by **Rafaël** *(actual HoD)*, **Philipps** *(ex co-HoD)*and **Madoka** *('**t*****he old HoD).**

## History

### Creation

*A Estrala de Portugal* is the first music competition that selects Portugal's entries for the Eurovision Americas Song Contest.

The first competition featured six songs. In the final, the winner was determined by the sum of the votes from international jury (50%) and a national jury (50%). The competition had no language restrictions but only one english entry competed in the first edition.

### Logo

The circle in the middle represent the sun, around the sun there's two stars each represent the singers, the deep blue represent the portuguese sea and the light blue represent the sky. The blue color also represent the dreams.

### Rules

In addition to having to respect EASC basic rules, all the participants must be have the portuguese nationality.

## Editions

### 1st Edition

#### On the national final

On the 4th november, RTP announced that the first national final ever of Portugal in Eurovision Americas Song Contest would be called A Estrela de Portugal. In addition to this, six acts were announced to take part in the first edition.

One week after that announcement, RTP gave hints about the acts : *4 solo acts and 2 groups* who will take part in the portuguese national final. The genres are diverse : from dance to pop, passing by alternative and indie-rock. Due to the leaks in the evening, the full line-up was revealed to the public including : *First Breath After Coma, Marta Carvalho, Capitão Fausto, Tânia Sampaio, Sreya and Tiago Bettencourt.*

On the 8th december, RTP announced that **Cristina Ferreira** and **Vasco Palmeirim** would be the hosts of the contest with that statement *"*Cristina Ferreira and Vasco Palmeirim will be the hosts of the first edition of *A Estrela de Portugal* . You can count on them to bring joy and fun on the 13th december.".

The songs of the first editionThe hosts of the first editionFinal Scoreboard
#### On the contest

After **Tânia Sampaio** and her song won the portuguese national final, **Portugal** became a fan favorite for the victory on the VII Eurovision Americas Song Contest. On the 24th december it was announced that Portugal would perform in the second semi-final and few hours later that country would perform in the second position of it semi-final.

### First Internal Edition

On the 10th december, RTP already confirm a second edition for **A Estrela de Portugal**. Few days later, on 14th december, internal submissions were opened until of january. Due to the reception of the others countries, RTP finally confirmed the second edition on 23th december and opened the submissions from foreigners countries. Six days later RTP announced that a new format will be used for the second edition.

Depite RTP announcement that the new format of **A Estrela de Portugal** will include 4 heats and one wildcard round the second edition of EDP got cancelled and was held internally. **Diogo Piçarra**was chosen internally and two songs competed in the final. The song **Escuro** won with the majority of votes.

On the contest

**Diogo Piçarra** managed to get Portugal in the Grand Final. This was Portugal's first qualification ever *(without the Wildcard)*, since the introduction of the Semi-Finals.

### Second Edition

#### On the national final

Depites confirming **SYRO** as their representative, RTP announced a few days later that **A Estrela de Portugal** would be finally back for a second edition. In addition to this, five acts were announced to take part in the second edition including : **Sara Carreira, Pedro Mafama, Dianna, NEEV and the return of First Breath After Coma**. On the same day, it was announce that **Cristina Ferreira** would host the show once again but without Vasco Palmeirim.

The host of the second editionThe line-up of the second edition
On the contest

**NEEV**managed to get Portugal in the Grand Final for the second time in a row after **Diogo Piçarra**. This was Portugal's second qualification ever *(without the Wildcard)*, since the introduction of the Semi-Finals.

### Third Edition

#### On the national final

On the 3rd july, RTP teased the third edition of **A Estrela de Portugal**. In addition to this, it was announced that this edition would have one artist only and three songs in competition. After several rumors saying that either **mema.** or **ARY** would represent the country in XX, on the 8th july, RTP confirmed that **ARY** would represent Portugal.