Red Sebastian is bringing the rave to the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. He’ll be waving his glowsticks for Belgium, with the song ‘Strobe Lights’.

Lighting up Belgium

Belgium treated Europe to another edition of Eurosong in 2025, as they searched for a Eurovision artist. Under the spotlight, were 8 acts. The last time the country had a national final was in 2023, when Gustaph stormed into the Eurovision Grand Final with a Top 10 finish. So they’re hoping for big things again in 2025.

One of the artists taking part in the contest was Red Sebastian. It was an intimate performance with the audience close to the stage, but the rave was real. He appeared in a red glow, giving Belgium a taste of his pop prowess with the song Strobe Lights.

Once the public and jury votes came in, Belgium had a clear winner. Red Sebastian took the win from both the public and jury, with a huge lead. In fact, he got 423 points, and the next runner up had 144.

Red Sebastian is heading for Basel, so expect some Strobe Lights and flashing effects.

The Red Sebastian effect

Red Sebastian, whose real name is Seppe Herreman, has always loved Eurovision. When he was younger he wanted to compete in Junior Eurovision, but his parents wouldn’t let him (and looking back now, he thinks it was for the best that he waited).

But that didn’t stop him secretly signing up for Belgium’s Got Talent at the age of 13 and taking the limelight with his covers of Christina Aguilera songs.

He developed his vocal skills at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent, where one of his coaches was none other than Gustaph. Gustaph won Europe’s heart at Eurovision 2023 both with his song Because Of You and with his impressive collection of hats.

While he was studying, Red Sebastian drew his inspiration from pop superstars like Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars. He wrote his first songs, and released his single Embrace Me, followed by his album You.

Red Sebastian loves Eurovision so much that he set up his own contest at home to choose the song that he’d take to Eurosong . He’d written 12 different songs, and brought in an audience of friends to vote for their choice. He already had his own favourite, and luckily his friends gave their douze points to the same track – it was of course Strobe Lights.

Seppe chose the name Red Sebastian after being inspired by Sebastian the crab in The Little Mermaid. He loves all the great Disney ballads, especially Part of Your World and Colors of the Wind.

Purring for Strobe Lights from back home will be his 10-year-old British shorthair cat Duchesse. Also the name of the mama cat in The Aristocats , fact fans!

From Lordi to Loreen

Red Sebastian’s earliest memory of Eurovision is hiding behind the couch because he was terrified of Lordi and their iconic Hard Rock Hallelujah. Thankfully enough of Europe were brave enough to come out from behind the sofa and vote, as they of course won the Contest for Finland.

Lordi aside, his Eurovision hero comes from across the Finnish border, in Sweden. It’s the one and only Loreen, who won the Contest twice for Sweden, in 2012 and 2023.

Red Sebastian says: “I know it’s a cliché but it’s because of her I wanted to be on the Eurovision stage one day.”

On the dancefloor with Red Sebastian

This Belgian popstar still has a soft spot for Christina Aguilera, and in particular loves Ain’t No Other Man and The Voice Within. But when it comes to the dancefloor, he wants to hear Dirrty.

The other pop songs packing out his playlist include Katy Perry’s The One That Got Away, Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, and Robyn’s Dancing On My Own. He’s also a big fan of soundtrack and show tunes, like Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You from The Bodyguard , Lady Marmalade from Moulin Rouge , and Defying Gravity from Wicked.

His love for pop royalty shone through when we asked Red Sebastian which three famous people from the history of the planet he would choose to have dinner with. He went for Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, and Justin Timberlake.

Bright lights, big city

Red Sebastian is excited to perform on the big stage at St Jakobshalle, and he can’t wait to meet the other contestants.

And when he gets to Basel, we all know what colour he’s going to paint the town.

You can hear Red Sebastian on Episode 4 of the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast .

You can learn more about Red Sebastian from Belgium right here .