Moss Kenna, together with other contestants, has reached the final stage. - Moss Kena, alongside other contestants, have been officially named as finalists.
In the third ESC pre-selection show, the Eurovision contenders are gradually solidifying their spots. Is there still a chance to dethrone Moss Kena? Entertainment icon Stefan Raab (58) continued his quest to find Germany's Eurovision representative on RTL (available on RTL+) last Saturday. From a pool of 14 semi-finalists, the jury, consisting of Raab, Yvonne Catterfeld, Elton, and guest juror Max Giesinger, selected nine finalists for "Chefsache ESC 2025 - Who will sing for Germany?" They'll vie for the sought-after ticket to Basel on March 1st, airing on ARD. As always, the ultimate goal remains clear: "We want to claim the number one spot again."
Moss Kena: The Enduring Favorite
For some contestants, advancing seemed a foregone conclusion. This trend was evident with British artist Moss Kena (27), who resides in Berlin. Impressing both Raab and the audience with his initial performance, he left quite an impression.
Raab still seems smitten: "That face, it haunts my dreams." Kena's self-composed song "Nothing Can Stop Love," a labor of love for six years, resonates with audiences as much as it does with his charm and stage presence. Even Raab's jury partner Elton (53) considers it "almost too good for the ESC." Kena secures his spot in the finals, a sure thing.
Alongside Kena, 23-year-old Julika from Düsseldorf also secured her ticket. She enchants the jury and audience with her song "Empress," her mysterious aura, and her monochromatic style – all fueled by her love for horror films. Raab can't help but praise her "credibility 100%." Julika's performance also wins her a ticket to the finals.
Cementing Their Spots
Several acts managed to captivate the audience and jury in the last RTL show. For instance, Indie rockers The Great Leslie, known for collaborating with Franz Ferdinand and James Blunt (51), edge their way into the next round with their song "These Days."
"Battletested warriors from the fantasy world" Feuerschwanz, per their self-description, impressed with a grand, captivating show featuring fire-breathing guitars. The band members already have their weapons sharpened for the final.
The Unfathomable Journey of the Contenders
At times, it's tricky for viewers to grasp why certain acts' national ESC journey has already ended. Such was the case with Saarländish combo From Fall To Spring, who earned a spot at this year's Wacken Open Air through their performance in the previous show. Yet they didn't advance to the next round. The same fate befalls Cage, a singer whom Raab praises as "one of, if not the most talented singer in Germany."
The nine acts advancing to the grand finale of "Chefsache ESC 2025" are:
- Abor & Tynna with "Baller"
- Benjamin Braatz with "Like You Love Me"
- COSBY with "I'm Still Here"
- Feuerschwanz with "Knightclub"
- Julika with "Empress"
- Leonora with "This Bliss"
- Lyza with "Lovers on Mars"
- Moss Kena with "Nothing Can Stop Love"
- The Great Leslie with "These Days"
They'll all compete in the grand finale of "Chefsache ESC 2025" on March 1st. The ESC itself will take place in mid-May this year.
[1] "Chefsache ESC 2025 – Who will sing for Germany?" RTL (2025).[2] "Chefsache ESC 2025: Who are the contestants, and what are their songs?" RTL (2025).[5] "ESC: These are the 'Chefsache' finalists for Germany." Focus Online (2025).
- Despite the fierce competition, Moss Kena's captivating performance and enchanting song "Nothing Can Stop Love" have surely secured his position in the Eurovision song contest finals.
- The Eurovision contestants are gradually solidifying their spots, with acts like Feuerschwanz, known for their grand and captivating shows, pushing their way towards the final stage.
- Following their impressive performances in the Eurovision song contest pre-selection show, acts like Julika with her dark and mysterious aura and The Great Leslie with their indie rock sound, are surely gaining the attention and support of both the jury and the audience.
