Continuing the series of profiles on finalists for the Luxembourg Song Contest 2026, the spotlight turns to Irem and Hugo One, two contestants with distinct passions.
At 24, Irem holds a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics and is pursuing a master’s in physics in Vienna. From childhood, she was drawn to two dreams: becoming a singer and an astronaut. While her ambitions have since evolved, space remains a profound passion. Although uncertain about becoming an astronaut today, she aims to work or conduct research in the field.
In parallel, Irem has steadily built a name in Luxembourg’s music scene, having performed at several events. She views the Luxembourg Song Contest as a significant opportunity to advance her career. Acknowledging the contest’s demanding schedule, she emphasised the strong support she receives from her parents.
Irem typically sings in German, but her contest entry is in English – a result of a songwriting camp at Rockhal where most collaborators were anglophone. She expressed no issue with the shift, noting that her first EP featured songs in five different languages.
Her musical journey began early, starting with the recorder before progressing to guitar and intensive dance training through numerous classes at the Luxembourg City Conservatory. This background leads her to place high importance on the choreography of her LSC stage performance.
The 28-year-old finalist Hugo One brings a distinctive energy to the contest, driven by a blend of athleticism and performance. An avid CrossFit enthusiast, he trains intensively nearly four times a week, explaining that the stamina it builds is crucial for his singing.
Dance is another central passion. For the past five years, Hugo has attended a weekly high-heel dancing class, which he says is tremendously fun and demands significant balance and core strength.
For his Luxembourg Song Contest performance, Hugo aims to fuse singing, athleticism, and dance into a dynamic stage show. His musical journey began in a choir at age six, but he only considered pursuing music professionally three years ago, inspired by Luxembourg’s announced return to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Outside of music, Hugo works as an event manager at the University of Luxembourg’s law, economics, and finance department, organising events ranging from graduation parties and festivals to ministerial visits – a role that involves comprehensive planning and protocol drafting. To prepare for the LSC, he has been granted cultural leave, allowing him to focus entirely on his performance.
