One of the most anticipated selections of the Eurovision season doesn’t come from the participating nations and their acts, but rather who will have the honour of hosting the competition. They’re the people, or sometimes person, who spends the most time on stage, so broadcasters have to choose a team or individual who is confident in their role, and likeable for worldwide audiences.
In 2017, we saw history made with the hosting team of three males, and this year, the Portuguese broadcaster RTP have chosen four female hosts! The four lucky hosts are Filomena Cautela, Sílvia Alberto, Daniela Ruah and Catarina Furtado
Get to know the lucky four:
Filomena Cautela was born in Lisbon on the 16th of December, 1984. She first began her acting career in 2000, and four years later made her cinema debut, and a year after she was cast as a presenter for MTV Portugal. As her career in presenting took off, she still continued acting in film and theatre. She has hosted on the prime talk show 5 Para a Meia Noite on RTP, and has been a Green Room presenter for the Portuguese National Final for 2017. She was also the spokesperson for Portugal in 2017.
Sílvia Alberto was born in 1981, and first made her television debut on The Disney Club when she was only 19 years old. A year later she presented a shot on RTP, as well as starting a radio career on Mix FM, a Lisbon station. She has worked as a reporter, and has hosted a number of popular television programs such as Strictly Come Dancing, Masterchef, Top Chef and Portugal’s Got Talent. She has also hosted the Portuguese National Final since 2008, and has been a Eurovision commentator in 2011, 2013, 2014.
Daniela Ruah was born in Boston, USA on the 2nd of December, 1983. At the age of five, her family moved to Portugal and by the age of 16, Daniela began acting. She earned a BA in performing arts from the London Metropolitan University and not long after she moved to New York to begin her studies at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She made her theatre debut in Los Angeles, but her most memorable appearance is her current role as Agent Kensi Blye on CBS’ hit program, NCIS: Los Angeles.
Caterina Furtado is another Lisbon local, and was born on the 25th of August in 1972. She has been working as a presenter and actor for many years, always striving to promote the message of empowerment. According to a study completed by Marktest in 2017, Catarina was seen as the most credibly person in Portugal due to her work and generosity. Her charity work includes being a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador since 2000, and in 2012 founded the NGO ‘Hearts With Crown” to create awareness about women’s rights. She has published a book, and has won Woman of the Year, and E! Entertainment Career Award.
