Americanovision Song Contest | 21 March - 9 May

Michael Bolton, Macy Gray, Jewel and Sisqó will all compete in the US version of the Eurovision Song Contest when it launches this month.

The musicians, who have 25 top 10 hits between them, will each represent their state, going up against amateurs, newcomers and rising stars.

Pop star Kelly Clarkson and rap icon Snoop Dogg will host the show, which will take place over eight weeks.

n total, there are 56 acts representing all 50 US states, five US territories and the nation's capital. Each act will compete for the audience's vote in the hopes of earning the title of Best Original Song.

The contest is an official spin-off from Eurovision and will feature multiple stages, with three qualifying rounds before the semi-finals.

The grand final will be broadcast live on US TV network NBC on Monday, 9 May - the day before the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin.

The American iteration was originally announced in 2020. It had been due to premiere in February, but was delayed at the last minute due to the surge in Covid cases in the US.

As the contestants were revealed, the show's executive producer, Ben Silverman, said in a statement: "I've spent 20 years trying to pursue this. I just love the format."

He added: "When America is more fractionalised than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one [thing] that truly unites us is our culture."

Butterfield wrote:I have no idea if this is being broadcast in the UK. And to be honest I'll probably have forgotten about it by then anyway.

Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast added that Wyoming's entry "New Boot Goofin'" was "undeniably the worst song of the night."