Around 2,000 applications for 30 jobs: Overwhelming interest in stand-ins for Eurovision Song Contest
The interest was overwhelming: Around 2,000 dancers and singers from all over the world applied as stand-in performers for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. At the auditions in the Motion Studios, 650 artists from all over the world – from the USA to South America to Asia – showcased their talents. They all competed for one of the coveted 30 jobs at the world's largest TV music show.
Indispensable for the Production
Stand-ins are professional singers and dancers who are used as substitutes for the actual artists and singers who will perform at the shows. They take positions on stage during preparations, test camera angles, lighting moods, and sound settings. Stand-ins implement the original choreographies of the delegations. This allows the production team to check processes and adjust technical details before the delegations from the participating countries arrive for the final rehearsal weeks. At the auditions for the Song Contest in Vienna, the dancers had to learn a choreography within 30 minutes, which they presented to a jury of experts. Adaptability and versatility were particularly in demand. The singers impressed with different singing numbers and demonstrated their vocal range.
Springboard for Talents
The job not only offers the performers a deep insight behind the scenes of the world's biggest TV music show, but is often also a career springboard: In the past, stand-ins have repeatedly been directly engaged by international delegations as background singers or dancers for the live shows. The final decisions will be announced at the end of January 2026.
Already on January 12, the next ESC highlight is coming up: The Semi-Final Draw
The official handover between the mayors of the host cities of the Eurovision Song Contest from the previous year and the current year, as well as the draw for the starting order of the participating countries in the semi-finals of the competition, traditionally mark the beginning of the ESC season. It will be exciting for the participating countries, as the question is which country will perform in which semi-final. This will be determined at the so-called Allocation Draw, which will take place on January 12 in the City Senate meeting room at Vienna City Hall. ORF 1 will broadcast the event live from 6:25 PM to 7:25 PM. Prior to this, the documentary "My Dream Comes True – JJ at the ESC 2025," presented by Alexandra Maritza Wachter and Cesár Sampson, will be shown. Both broadcasts can also be followed on ORF ON and will be available on demand.
(December 22, 2025)