It’s been nearly a month since Chanel stormed the stage in Turin and nabbed Spain its best ever score and its highest contest placement since 1995, and one of her collaborators is celebrating with a look back at the journey it took to get there.
Kyle Hanagami, the choreographer and creative director responsible for the staging of “SloMo” at both Benidorm and Eurovision, uploaded a video to his YouTube channel today that follows himself, Chanel, songwriter Leroy Sanchez, and the rest of the creative team through the three months of preparation between Benidorm and the Eurovision Grand Final. The 22 minute video contains tons of behind the scenes footage of dance and vocal rehearsals, including the revelation that Chanel prepared for the big night by running on a treadmill in heels. It also tracks the growing bond between Kyle, Leroy, and Chanel, and features candid moments when the trio reflect on their accomplishments and anxieties. Most strikingly, the video highlights the contrast between the online ugliness that followed the victory of “SloMo” at Benidorm and the hero’s welcome Chanel received upon returning to Spain from her triumphant moment in Turin. (Watch the video below.)
Both Kyle Hanagami and Leroy Sanchez began their careers by uploading content to YouTube. Kyle, who is based out of Los Angeles, has posted dance videos to the social media platform for over 10 years. (Find his channel here.) The routine he choreographed to Ed Sheeran’s 2017 single “Shape of You” currently sits at over 234 million views, and he has worked with entertainers like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez. Leroy, born in Spain but currently also based out of Los Angeles, got his start posting covers to his YouTube channel about 15 years ago. (Find his channel here.) His version of Adele’s 2015 song “Hello” has amassed over 55 million views. He has released 3 EPs and was on the songwriting team for Spain’s 2020 Eurovision entry “Voy a quedarme”.
Since her triumph in Turin, Chanel has been enjoying some much needed down time while she preps for her next career move. This week, she made a triumphant return to the Spanish stage, performing “SloMo” at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen pageant. You can watch her performance below:
Are #YOU still feeling ‘booty hypnotic’ one month past the Eurovision final? Do #YOU think it should be illegal for three people this adorable to sit in the same room? Just me? Sound off in the comments below, in our forum, or on social media @ESCUnited.
